James 3:5

So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest!

World English Bible British

In The King James Version

Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

In Context

4Behold, the ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds, are yet guided by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires.

6And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity amongst our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna.

Read all of James 3

Cross References

Exodus 5:2Pharaoh said, “Who is the LORD, that I should listen to his voice to let Israel go? I don’t know the LORD, and moreover I will not let Israel go.”

2 Kings 19:22Whom have you defied and blasphemed? Against whom have you exalted your voice and lifted up your eyes on high? Against the Holy One of Israel!

Job 22:17who said to God, ‘Depart from us!’ and, ‘What can the Almighty do for us?’

Psalms 12:2Everyone lies to his neighbour. They speak with flattering lips, and with a double heart.

Psalms 52:1Why do you boast of mischief, mighty man? God’s loving kindness endures continually.

Proverbs 12:18There is one who speaks rashly like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise heals.

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 3:5