James 3:5 · KJV
“Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! {a matter: or, wood}”
— James 3:5
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, whithersoever the governor listeth.
And 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. {course: Gr. wheel}
James 3 — Context
Behold, 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.
5Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! {a matter: or, wood}
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. {course: Gr. wheel}
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: {kind: Gr. nature} {mankind: Gr. nature of man}
Cross References
Proverbs 18:21
Death and life {are} in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Jeremiah 9:3-8
And they bend their tongues {like} their bow {for} lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the LORD.
Proverbs 12:18
There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise {is} health.
Proverbs 15:2
The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. {poureth: Heb. belcheth, or, bubbleth}
Psalms 17:10
They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.
Psalms 73:8-9
They are corrupt, and speak wickedly {concerning} oppression: they speak loftily.
Psalms 12:2-4
They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: {with} flattering lips {and} with a double heart do they speak. {a double...: Heb. an heart and an heart}
Psalms 52:1-2
[To the chief Musician, Maschil, {A Psalm} of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech.] Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God {endureth} continually. {Maschil: or, of instruction}