Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
boasteth great things—There is great moment in what the careless think "little" things [BENGEL]. Compare "a world," "the course of nature," "hell," James 3:6, which illustrate how the little tongue's great words produce great mischief.
how great a matter a little fire kindleth—The best manuscripts read, "how little a fire kindleth how great a," etc. ALFORD, for "matter," translates, "forest." But GROTIUS translates as English Version, "material for burning": a pile of fuel.
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing James 3:5:
James 2:12
James 4:11
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