James 3:5

So the tongue also is a little member and boasteth great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire!

The first sentence in this verse is the application of the two illustrations of the bit and the rudder, its power being out of all proportion to its size. "The magic of words has played an incalculable part in the long story of human endeavor and human suffering." [16] It is evident, then, that James here referred to the nearly incredible power of human speech to move men to either noble or destructive purposes. Think of the example of Adolph Hitler in the latter case, or of Henry Clay in the other. There is also another application of the words as a reference to the untruthfulness and boastfulness of the tongue. Oesterley, however, agreed with Mayor that: "There is no idea of vain boasting; the whole argument turns upon the reality of the power which the tongue possesses."[17]

Behold how much wood is kindled by how small a fire ... In this illustration, James will show how fantastically overwhelming is the evil that can ensue upon a Christian's (or anyone's) failure to control his tongue. The essential difference in this third illustration is seen in the fact of the horse and the ship being under control; where here, the tiny fire that kindles a whole forest is out of control.

[16] R. V. G. Tasker, op. cit., p. 75.

[17] W. E. Oesterley, op. cit., p. 451.