James 3:8

But no man is able to tame the tongue of men, an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

A Conservative Version

In The King James Version

But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

In Context

7For every species, both of beasts and of birds, both of creeping things and things in the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by the human species.

9By it we bless the God and Father, and by it we curse men, who were made according to a likeness of God.

Read all of James 3

Cross References

Psalms 55:21His mouth was smooth as butter, but his heart was war. His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.

Psalms 58:4Their poison is like the poison of a serpent, like the deaf adder that stops her ear,

Psalms 64:3who have whet their tongue like a sword, and have aimed their arrows, even bitter words,

Ecclesiastes 10:11If the serpent bites before it is charmed, then is there no advantage in the charmer.

James 3:6And the tongue is a fire, the world of unrighteousness. Thus, the tongue is made to lead among our body-parts, defiling the whole body, and setting the cycle of nature on fire, and being set on fire by hell.

Matthew Henry on James 3:2-13

Government of the Tongue. ( a. d. 61.) 1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. 2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm,… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study James 3:8