Tiago 3:4-7 NVT

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - James 3:6

The tongue is a fire - It is often the instrument of producing the most desperate contentions and insurrections. A world of iniquity - This is an unusual form of speech, but the meaning is plain enough; World signifies here a mass, a great collection, an abundance. We use the term in the same sense - a world of troubles, a world of toil, a world of anxiety; for great troubles, oppressive toil, most distressing anxiety. And one of our lexicographers calls his work a world of words; i.e. a... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - James 3:7

Every kind of beasts - That is, every species of wild beasts, πασα φυσις θηριων , is tamed, i.e. brought under man's power and dominion. Beasts, birds, serpents, and some kinds of fishes have been tamed so as to be domesticated; but every kind, particularly των εναλιων , of sea monsters, has not been thus tamed; but all have been subjected to the power of man; both the shark and whale become an easy prey to the skill and influence of the human being. I have had the most credible... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - James 3:5

Verse 5 And boasteth great things. The verb μεγαλαυχεῖν means to boast one’s self, or to vaunt. But James in this passage did not intend to reprove ostentation so much as to show that the tongue is the doer of great things; for in this last clause he applies the previous comparisons to his subject; and vain boasting is not suitable to the bridle and the helm. He then means that the tongue is endued with great power. I have rendered what Erasmus has translated the impetuosity, the inclination,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - James 3:6

Verse 6 He now explains the evils which proceed from the neglect of restraining the tongue, in order that we may know that the tongue may do much good or much evil, — that if it be modest and well regulated, it becomes a bridle to the whole life, but that if it be petulant and violent, like a fire it destroys all things. He represents it as a small or little fire, to intimate that this smallness of the tongue will not be a hindrance that its power should not extend far and wide to do harm. 6.... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - James 3:7

Verse 7 7For every kind of beasts. This is a confirmation of the last clause; for that Satan by the tongue rules most effectively he proves by this — that it can by no means be brought to due order; and he amplifies this by comparisons. For he says that there is no animal so savage or fierce, which is not tamed by the skill of man, — that fishes, which in a manner inhabit another world, — that birds, which are so quick and roving — and that serpents, which are so inimical to mankind, are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 3:1-12

WARNING AGAINST OVER - READINESS TO TEACH , LEADING TO A DISCOURSE ON THE IMPORTANCE OF GOVERNMENT OF THE TONGUE . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 3:1-12

Speech I. THE GREAT RESPONSIBILITY OF TEACHERS . This is forcibly shown by St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:15 , etc. Even of those who have built upon the right foundation the work is to be tested by fire, and "if any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire." What, then, must be the "greater condemnation "in store for others whose very foundation was faulty? In a commentary especially designed for teachers of others, a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 3:1-12

The ethics of speech. In these verses is dealt a rebuke against the craving for authority, which, as he reminds them, involves "heavier judgment." How? Partly as coming under judgment itself (see Matthew 23:8-10 ); partly as involving increased responsibility. And responsibility and judgment are very near akin. More especially, in these words of warning, he has in view that confused assembly of theirs, in which all vied together in attempts to speak. How great the danger of "stumbling"... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 3:2-6

The Tower of the tongue. Passing from the peculiar responsibility which attaches to teachers of religion, James proceeds to speak generally of the enormous influence of the faculty of speech, especially upon the speaker himself, and of the abuse to which it is liable. I. A DIRECT STATEMENT OF THIS POWER . "If any stumbleth not in word, the same," etc. (verse 2). In most cases, the capacity to control one's utterances indicates the measure of one's attainment as regards the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 3:4

Second illustration , showing the importance of the tongue and its government. The rudder is a very small thing, but it enables the steersman to guide the ship wherever he will, in spite of the storm. Whithersoever the governor listeth ( ὅπου ἡ ὀρμὴ τοῦ εὐθυνοντος βούλεται , א , B); whither the impulse of the steersman willeth (R.V); Vulgate, impetus dirigentis. read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - James 3:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - James 3:7

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - James 3:5

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - James 3:6

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - James 3:7

The Pulpit Commentary - James 3:1-12

The Pulpit Commentary - James 3:1-12

The Pulpit Commentary - James 3:1-12

The Pulpit Commentary - James 3:2-6

The Pulpit Commentary - James 3:4

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