James 3:8
no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless plague! It is charged with deadly poison!
Open English Bible (US)
In The King James Version
But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
In Context
9With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made ‘in God’s likeness.’
Cross References
Psalms 55:21His mouth was smoother than butter, but war filled his heart. His words were softer than oil, but sharper than swords.
Psalms 58:4Venom have they like the venom of snakes, they are like the deaf adder that stops her ears,
Psalms 64:3who have sharpened their tongue like a sword, and aimed bitter words like arrows,
James 3:6And the tongue is like a spark. It is a world of unrighteousness among the parts of our body. It contaminates the whole body; it sets the whole course of our existence on fire, and is itself set on fire by the flames of Gehenna.
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 →