James 3:1-5

The Power of the Tongue

3:1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, ¹  because you know that we will be judged more strictly. ²  3:2 For we all stumble ³  in many ways. If someone does not stumble ⁴  in what he says, ⁵  he is a perfect individual, ⁶  able to control the entire body as well. 3:3 And if we put bits into the mouths of horses to get them to obey us, then we guide their entire bodies. ⁷  3:4 Look at ships too: Though they are so large and driven by harsh winds, they are steered by a tiny rudder wherever the pilot’s inclination directs. 3:5 So too the tongue is a small part of the body, ⁸  yet it has great pretensions. ⁹  Think ¹⁰  how small a flame sets a huge forest ablaze.

[3:1]  ¹ tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:2.

[3:1]  ² tn Grk “will receive a greater judgment.”

[3:2]  ³ tn Or “fail.”

[3:2]  ⁴ tn Or “fail.”

[3:2]  ⁵ tn Grk “in speech.”

[3:2]  ⁶ tn The word for “man” or “individual” is ἀνήρ (anhr), which often means “male” or “man (as opposed to woman).” But it sometimes is used generically to mean “anyone,” “a person,” as here (cf. BDAG 79 s.v. 2).

[3:3]  ⁵ tn Grk “their entire body.”

[3:5]  ⁷ tn Grk “a small member.”

[3:5]  ⁸ tn Grk “boasts of great things.”

[3:5]  ⁹ tn Grk “Behold.”