James 3:3 NIV

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - James 3:3

Behold, we put bits in the horses” mouths ... - The meaning of this simple illustration is, that as we control a horse by the bit - though the bit is a small thing - so the body is controlled by the tongue. He who has a proper control over his tongue can govern his whole body, as he who holds a bridle governs and turns about the horse. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - James 3:3-5

James 3:3-5. Behold, &c. As if the apostle had said, Think not the tongue a weak member because it is small; we put bits in the horses’ mouths that they may obey us May go as we direct them; and, strong, and sometimes furious as they are; we turn about their whole body Influence as we please all their motions. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great So large and heavy, and are driven frequently by fierce winds which seem to be irresistible, yet are they turned... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - James 3:1-12

3:1-5:6 WORLDLY AMBITION AND CHRISTIAN FAITHControl of the tongue (3:1-12)James warns his readers not to be too ambitious to be teachers in the church, because if they instruct others and then fail themselves, they will receive greater judgment. This places teachers in particular danger, because they cannot avoid making some mistakes (3:1-2). A person who can control his tongue can control the whole self. Just as the bit controls the horse and the rudder controls the ship, so the tongue... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - James 3:3

Behold . App-133 .; but the texts read ei ( App-118 . a) de, "But if". bits . Greek. chalinos. Here and Revelation 14:20 . that = to the end that ( App-104 .), but the texts read eis (vi). obey . App-150 . turn about . Greek. metago. Only here and James 3:4 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - James 3:3

Now if we put the horses' bridles into their mouths that they may obey us, we turn about their whole body also.Now if ... Punchard criticized this rendition of this introductory remark thus:This is a more clumsy reading than "Behold." The supporters of such curious corrections (?) argue that the least likely is the most so; and thus every slip of a copyist, either in grammar or spelling, becomes more sacred in their eyes than the Received Text in believers of verbal inspiration.[11] It is high... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - James 3:3

3. Behold—The best authorities read, "but if," that is, Now whensoever (in the case) of horses (such is the emphatic position of "horses" in the Greek) we put the bits (so literally, "the customary bits") into their mouths that they may obey us, we turn about also their whole body. This is to illustrate how man turns about his whole body with the little tongue. "The same applies to the pen, which is the substitute for the tongue among the absent" [BENGEL]. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 3:1-12

A. Controlling the Tongue 3:1-12It is particularly the misuse of the tongue in Christian worship that James addressed (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:3; 1 Corinthians 14:27-39). From the subject of idle faith, James proceeded to discuss idle speech.". . . in his usual ’rondo’ manner [James] returns to the theme of speech (James 1:19; James 1:26) and warns his true Christians of the dangers of the tongue . . ." [Note: Adamson, p. 138.] "It [this chapter] is also connected with that overvaluation of theory... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 3:3

It is the same with horses as it is with humans. If we can control the tongue, we can bring the whole animal under control."Nothing seems to trip a believer more than a dangling tongue." [Note: Blue, p. 827.] read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 3:3-6

3. Examples of the danger 3:3-6 read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - James 3:1-18

The Control of the Tongue1, 2. Warning against undue eagerness to teach: cp. Matthew 12:37; Matthew 23:7; Romans 2:19-20; 1 Corinthians 12:28; 1 Corinthians 14:26-40; Ephesians 4:11. Masters] better, ’teachers.’ The position of a teacher is one of great responsibility. Greater condemnation] RV ’heavier judgement’ (Luke 12:48). We all frequently err (RV ’stumble,’ better than AV offend). There is no such thing as human infallibility. That which is most likely to cause us to err is the tongue... read more

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - James 3:3

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - James 3:3-5

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - James 3:1-12

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - James 3:3

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - James 3:3

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - James 3:3

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 3:1-12

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 3:3

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 3:3-6

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - James 3:1-18

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