James 3:5
Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
James 3:5 in other translations
| BSB | In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. |
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| WEB | So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest! |
| ASV | So the tongue also is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire! |
| YLT | so also the tongue is a little member, and doth boast greatly; lo, a little fire how much wood it doth kindle! |
| DARBY | Thus also the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. See how little a fire, how large a wood it kindles! |
| BBE | Even so the tongue is a small part of the body, but it takes credit for great things. How much wood may be lighted by a very little fire! |
| Webster | Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! |
What does James 3:5 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
And boasteth great things. The design of the apostle is to illustrate the power and influence of the tongue. This may be done in a great many respects: and the apostle does it by referring to its boasting; to the effects which it produces, resembling that of fire, (Jas 3:6;) to its untameableness, (Jas 3:8-9;) and to its giving utterance to the most inconsistent and incongruous thoughts, Jas 3:9-10. The particular idea here is, that the tongue seems to be conscious of its influence and power, and boasts largely of what it can do. The apostle means doubtless to convey the idea that it boasts not unjustly of its importance. It has all the influence in the world, for good or for evil, which it claims.
Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! Marg., wood. The Greek word (υλη) means a wood, forest, grove; and then fire-wood, fuel. This is the meaning here. The sense is, that a very little fire is sufficient to ignite a large quantity of combustible materials, and that the tongue produces effects similar to that. A spark will kindle a lofty pile; and a word spoken by the tongue may set a neighbourhood or a village "in a flame."
(a) "the tongue is a little member" Prov 12:18 (b) "boasteth great things" Ps 12:3 (+) "a matter" or, "wood" (++) "a matter" or, "How much combustible matter"
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on James 3:1-12
Chapter Outline Cautions against proud behaviour, and the mischief of an unruly tongue. (1-12) The excellence of heavenly wisdom, in opposition to that which is worldly. (13-18) Verses 1-12 We are taught to dread an unruly tongue, as one of the greatest evils. The affairs of mankind are thrown into confusion by the tongues of men. Every age of the world, and every condition of life, private or public, affords…
James 3:5 in the original Greek
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for James 3:5
- Proverbs 18:21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
- Proverbs 12:18
There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
- 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. Take ye heed every one of his neighbour, and trust ye not in any brother: for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbour will walk with slanders. And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity. Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the Lord. …
- Proverbs 15:2
The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
- 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. They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
- Psalms 12:2-4
They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?
- 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. Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
- Jude 1:16
These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.
- Jeremiah 18:18
Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.
- Psalms 10:3
For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth.
- Revelation 13:5-6
And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
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Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Context
- James 3:4
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.
- James 3:5
Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
- James 3:6
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.
James 3:5 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Así también, la lengua es un miembro pequeño, y se gloría de grandes cosas. He aquí, un pequeño fuego ¡cuán grande bosque enciende! |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Ainsi aussi la langue est un petit membre et elle se vante de grandes choses. Voici, un petit feu, quelle grande forêt allume-t-il! |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | So ist auch die Zunge ein kleines Glied und rühmt sich großer Dinge. Siehe, ein kleines Feuer, welch einen großen Wald zündet es an! |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Ita et lingua modicum quidem membrum est, et magna exaltat. Ecce quantus ignis quam magnam silvam incendit! |