"And the tongue {is} a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, an…" — James 3:6

James 3:6 · KJV

“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 3:6

Verse 5

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}

Verse 7

For 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}

James 3 — Context

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.

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}

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}

For 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}

But the tongue can no man tame; {it is} an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

Cross References

Psalms 120:2-3

Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, {and} from a deceitful tongue.

Proverbs 16:27

An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips {there is} as a burning fire. {An...: Heb. A man of Belial}

Mark 7:15

If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

Matthew 15:11-20

Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

Proverbs 15:1

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

Mark 7:20-22

For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

Luke 16:24

And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

Colossians 3:8-9

But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.