James 3:5

Cited in 2 topics on this site.

Translations sourced from the public-domain WEB, KJV, and ASV. See all sources.

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

— WEB

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

— KJV

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

— ASV

Cross-references

Related verses via the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Proverbs 18:21 "Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit."
Jeremiah 9:3-8 "“They bend their tongue, as their bow, for falsehood. They have grown strong in the land, but not for truth; for they proceed from evil t…"
Proverbs 12:18 "There is one who speaks rashly like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise heals."
Proverbs 15:2 "The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of fools gush out folly."
Psalms 17:10 "They close up their callous hearts. With their mouth they speak proudly."
Psalms 73:8-9 "They scoff and speak with malice. In arrogance, they threaten oppression."
Psalms 12:2-4 "Everyone lies to his neighbor. They speak with flattering lips, and with a double heart."
Psalms 52:1-2 "Why do you boast of mischief, mighty man? God’s loving kindness endures continually."

Commentary

boasteth great things--There is great moment in what the careless think "little" things [BENGEL]. Compare "a world," "the course of nature," "hell," Jam 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," &c. ALFORD, for "matter," translates, "forest." But GROTIUS translates as English Version, "material for burning": a pile of fuel.

— Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary (public domain)

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