“In attacking what they say, James singles out the tongue, which is the instrument of speech. But since their thoughts are present in the body as a whole, it ought to be understood that his remarks apply to the entire body.”
Didymus the Blind, 4th c. — COMMENTARY ON JAMES
Original
5Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
Modern
Preparing…
Teens
Preparing…
Kids
Preparing…
In context
3Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
4Behold 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, whithersoever the governor listeth.
— James 3:5 —
6And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
7For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: