James 3:5 - Forerunner Commentary

James 3:5

3 Indeed, ^awe put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body.

4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires.

5 Even so ^athe tongue is a little member and ^bboasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!

6 And ^athe tongue is a fire, a world of¹ iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it ^bdefiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of² nature; and it is set on fire by³ hell.

7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind.

8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, ^afull of deadly poison.

9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made ^ain the similitude of God.

10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.

11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?

12 Can a ^afig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs?¹ Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.

Verse Comparison: James 3:5

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American Standard Version
So the tongue also is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire!

Amplified® Bible
Even so the tongue is a little member, and it can boast of great things. See how much wood {or} how great a forest a tiny spark can set ablaze!

Contemporary English Version
Our tongues are small too, and yet they brag about big things. It takes only a spark to start a forest fire!

Darby English Version
Thus also the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. See how little a fire, how large a wood it kindles!

Good News Bible
So it is with the tongue: small as it is, it can boast about great things. Just think how large a forest can be set on fire by a tiny flame!

International Standard Version
In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, yet it can boast of great achievements. A huge forest can be set on fire by a little flame.

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

New American Standard Bible
So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and {yet} it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!

New International Version
Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.

New King James Version
Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!

N.A.S.B. in E-Prime
So we also consider the tongue a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things See how a small fire sets a great forest!

Young's Literal Translation
so also the tongue is a little member, and doth boast greatly; lo, a little fire how much wood it doth kindle!

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