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James 3

BSB·18 verses ·New Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1NotΜὴMē — Not; negation; lestG3361 — Full Word Study → many of you should becomeγίνεσθεginesthe — to become, come into being, happenG1096 — Full Word Study → teachersδιδάσκαλοιdidaskaloi — teacherG1320 — Full Word Study →, myμουmou — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → brothersἀδελφοίadelphoi — brother; male sibling or fellow believerG80 — Full Word Study →, because you know thatὅτιhoti — that; because; since; introducing clauses of reason or contentG3754 — Full Word Study → we who teach will be judgedκρίμαkrima — judgment, verdict, or judicial decisionG2917 — Full Word Study → more strictlyμεῖζονmeizon — Great in size, power, or intensityG3173 — Full Word Study →. 2We all stumbleπταίομενptaiomen — to stumble or trip; to cause to fall morallyG4417 — Full Word Study → in many waysπολλὰpolla — much, many, great in quantity or degreeG4183 — Full Word Study →. Ifεἴei — if; conditional conjunction introducing hypothetical or contingent circumstancesG1487 — Full Word Study → anyoneτιςtis — a certain one; some; anyone; an indefinite pronounG5100 — Full Word Study → is never at faultπταίειptaiei — to stumble or trip; to cause to fall morallyG4417 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → what he saysλόγῳlogō — word, statement, message, divine utteranceG3056 — Full Word Study →, he is a perfectτέλειοςteleios — Complete, mature, fully developedG5046 — Full Word Study → manἀνήρanēr — Adult male, man, or husbandG435 — Full Word Study →, ableδυνατὸςdynatos — Able, capable, powerful, mightyG1415 — Full Word Study → to controlχαλιναγωγῆσαιchalinagōgēsai — To bridle; to control or restrainG5468 — Full Word Study → his wholeὅλονholon — whole, entire, all, completeG3650 — Full Word Study → bodyσῶμαsōma — Physical body; corporeal formG4983 — Full Word Study →. 3When we putβάλλομενballomen — to throw, cast, or hurl with forceG906 — Full Word Study → bitsχαλινοὺςchalinous — Bridle; restraining device for a horse's mouthG5469 — Full Word Study → intoεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → theτὰta — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → mouthsστόματαstomata — mouth; opening; edgeG4750 — Full Word Study → ofτῶνtōn — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → horsesἵππωνhippōn — horse; a large domesticated animal used for riding and warG2462 — Full Word Study → to makeεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → themαὐτοὺςautous — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → obeyπείθεσθαιpeithesthai — to persuade, convince, or win overG3982 — Full Word Study → usἡμῖνhēmin — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study →, we can guideμετάγομενmetagomen — to turn about; to steer or redirectG3329 — Full Word Study → theαὐτῶνautōn — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → wholeὅλονholon — whole, entire, all, completeG3650 — Full Word Study → animalσῶμαsōma — Physical body; corporeal formG4983 — Full Word Study →. 4Considerἰδοὺidou — Look! Behold! See!G2400 — Full Word Study → shipsπλοῖαploia — A boat or small ship; vessel for water travelG4143 — Full Word Study → as wellκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study →. Although they areὄνταonta — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → so largeτηλικαῦταtēlikauta — so great, of such magnitudeG5082 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → are drivenἐλαυνόμεναelaunomena — to drive forward; to propel or set in motionG1643 — Full Word Study → byὑπὸhypo — under; by; from the agency ofG5259 — Full Word Study → strongσκληρῶνsklērōn — Hard, harsh, severe, stubbornG4642 — Full Word Study → windsἀνέμωνanemōn — wind; breath; spiritG417 — Full Word Study →, they are steeredμετάγεταιmetagetai — to turn about; to steer or redirectG3329 — Full Word Study → byὑπὸhypo — under; by; from the agency ofG5259 — Full Word Study → a very smallἐλαχίστουelachistou — least, smallest, most insignificantG1646 — Full Word Study → rudderπηδαλίουpēdaliou — A ship's rudder; steering mechanismG4079 — Full Word Study → whereverὅπουhopou — where, wherever, the place in whichG3699 — Full Word Study → thehē — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → pilotεὐθύνοντοςeuthynontos — to make straight; to govern or directG2116 — Full Word Study → is inclinedὁρμὴhormē — violent impulse, forceful assault, or sudden movementG3730 — Full Word Study →. 5In the same wayΟὕτωςHoutōs — in this manner; thus; soG3779 — Full Word Study →, thehē — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → tongueγλῶσσαglōssa — tongue; language; speechG1100 — Full Word Study → isἐστὶνestin — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → a smallμικρὸνmikron — small in size or extent; least or insignificantG3398 — Full Word Study → part of the bodyμέλοςmelos — bodily member; part of a wholeG3196 — Full Word Study →, but it boasts ofαὐχεῖauchei — to boast greatly; to speak with arrogant prideG3166 — Full Word Study → great thingsμεγάλαmegala — Great in size, power, or intensityG3173 — Full Word Study →. Considerἰδοὺidou — Look! Behold! See!G2400 — Full Word Study → how smallἡλίκονhēlikon — how great; what size or extentG2245 — Full Word Study → a sparkπῦρpyr — Fire; flame; burningG4442 — Full Word Study → setsἀνάπτειanaptei — to kindle or set ablazeG381 — Full Word Study → a greatἡλίκηνhēlikēn — how great; what size or extentG2245 — Full Word Study → forest ablaze. 6Thehē — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → tongueγλῶσσαglōssa — tongue; language; speechG1100 — Full Word Study → alsoκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → is aho — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → fire, a worldκόσμοςkosmos — The world; the cosmos; the system of humanity opposed to GodG2889 — Full Word Study → of wickednessἀδικίαςadikias — Unrighteousness, injustice, moral wrongdoingG93 — Full Word Study → amongἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → theτοῖςtois — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → partsμέλεσινmelesin — bodily member; part of a wholeG3196 — Full Word Study → of the body. It pollutesσπιλοῦσαspilousa — to stain, spot, or defile with moral impurityG4695 — Full Word Study → theτὸto — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → wholeὅλονholon — whole, entire, all, completeG3650 — Full Word Study → personσῶμαsōma — Physical body; corporeal formG4983 — Full Word Study →, setsφλογίζουσαphlogizousa — to kindle, set ablaze, inflameG5394 — Full Word Study → theτὸνton — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → courseτροχὸνtrochon — wheel; course of lifeG5164 — Full Word Study → of his life on fire, andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → is itself set on fireφλογιζομένηphlogizomenē — to kindle, set ablaze, inflameG5394 — Full Word Study → byὑπὸhypo — under; by; from the agency ofG5259 — Full Word Study → hellγεέννηςgeennēs — Gehenna; the final place of judgment and punishmentG1067 — Full Word Study →. 7AllΠᾶσαPasa — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study → kindsφύσιςphysis — Essential character or natural dispositionG5449 — Full Word Study → of animalsθηρίωνthēriōn — wild beast, dangerous animalG2342 — Full Word Study →, birdsπετεινῶνpeteinōn — bird, flying creatureG4071 — Full Word Study →, reptilesἑρπετῶνherpetōn — Creeping thing, reptile, or serpentG2062 — Full Word Study →, andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → creatures of the seaἐναλίωνenaliōn — of or pertaining to the sea; marineG1724 — Full Word Study → are being tamedδαμάζεταιdamazetai — to tame or subdueG1150 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → have been tamedδεδάμασταιdedamastai — to tame or subdueG1150 — Full Word Study → byτῇtē — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → manἀνθρωπίνῃanthrōpinē — Pertaining to human nature or mankindG442 — Full Word Study →, 8butδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → noοὐδεὶςoudeis — no one, nothing, none at allG3762 — Full Word Study → manἀνθρώπωνanthrōpōn — human being, man, personG444 — Full Word Study → canδύναταιdynatai — To be able; to have power or capacityG1410 — Full Word Study → tameδαμάσαιdamasai — to tame or subdueG1150 — Full Word Study → theτὴνtēn — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → tongueγλῶσσανglōssan — tongue; language; speechG1100 — Full Word Study →. It is a restless evilκακόνkakon — evil, wicked, bad, morally corruptG2556 — Full Word Study →, fullμεστὴmestē — full, filled, completely occupiedG3324 — Full Word Study → of deadlyθανατηφόρουthanatēphorou — deadly, death-dealing, mortalG2287 — Full Word Study → poisonἰοῦiou — Poison; rust; moral corruptionG2447 — Full Word Study →. 9WithἘνEn — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → the tongue we blessεὐλογοῦμενeulogoumen — To bless, praise, or speak well ofG2127 — Full Word Study → ourτὸνton — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → LordΚύριονKyrion — Lord; master; one who has authority or ownershipG2962 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → FatherΠατέραPatera — father; male parent; ancestorG3962 — Full Word Study →, andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → withἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → itαὐτῇautē — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → we curseκαταρώμεθαkatarōmetha — to curse; to invoke harm or judgmentG2672 — Full Word Study → menἀνθρώπουςanthrōpous — human being, man, personG444 — Full Word Study →, whoτοὺςtous — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → have been madeγεγονόταςgegonotas — to become, come into being, happenG1096 — Full Word Study → inκαθ’kath’ — according to, down along, againstG2596 — Full Word Study → God’sΘεοῦTheou — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study → likenessὁμοίωσινhomoiōsin — Likeness, resemblance, form of similarityG3669 — Full Word Study →. 10Out ofἐκek — out from, out of, from withinG1537 — Full Word Study → theτοῦtou — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → sameαὐτοῦautou — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → mouthστόματοςstomatos — mouth; opening; edgeG4750 — Full Word Study → comeἐξέρχεταιexerchetai — to go out, exit, or departG1831 — Full Word Study → blessingεὐλογίαeulogia — Blessing, praise, or generous giftG2129 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → cursingκατάραkatara — a curse; divine condemnation or human imprecationG2671 — Full Word Study →. Myμουmou — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → brothersἀδελφοίadelphoi — brother; male sibling or fellow believerG80 — Full Word Study →, thisταῦταtauta — This one; he, she, it; that person or thingG3778 — Full Word Study → shouldχρήchrē — ought, must, should, needG5534 — Full Word Study → notοὐou — No, not, negation particleG3756 — Full Word Study → beγίνεσθαιginesthai — to become, come into being, happenG1096 — Full Word Study →! 11Can both fresh water andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → salt water flowβρύειbryei — To pour forth, send out, or overflowG1032 — Full Word Study → fromἐκek — out from, out of, from withinG1537 — Full Word Study → theτῆςtēs — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → sameαὐτῆςautēs — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → springπηγὴpēgē — spring, fountain, well; sourceG4077 — Full Word Study →? 12Myμουmou — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → brothersἀδελφοίadelphoi — brother; male sibling or fellow believerG80 — Full Word Study →, canδύναταιdynatai — To be able; to have power or capacityG1410 — Full Word Study → a fig treeσυκῆsykē — Fig tree; symbol of Israel's spiritual conditionG4808 — Full Word Study → growποιῆσαιpoiēsai — to do, make, perform, or accomplishG4160 — Full Word Study → olivesἐλαίαςelaias — olive treeG1636 — Full Word Study →, orē — Or; either...or; conjunction expressing alternativesG2228 — Full Word Study → a grapevineἄμπελοςampelos — A grapevine; the vine plantG288 — Full Word Study → bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produceποιῆσαιpoiēsai — to do, make, perform, or accomplishG4160 — Full Word Study → freshγλυκὺglyky — sweet, pleasant, agreeableG1099 — Full Word Study → waterὕδωρhydōr — Water; liquid elementG5204 — Full Word Study →. 13WhoΤίςTis — Who? What? Which? (interrogative pronoun)G5101 — Full Word Study → is wise andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → understandingἐπιστήμωνepistēmōn — skilled in knowledge, learned, understandingG1990 — Full Word Study → amongἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → youὑμῖνhymin — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study →? Let him show itδειξάτωdeixatō — To show, display, or demonstrateG1166 — Full Word Study → byἐκek — out from, out of, from withinG1537 — Full Word Study → his goodκαλῆςkalēs — good, beneficial, morally excellentG2570 — Full Word Study → conductἀναστροφῆςanastrophēs — Conduct, behaviour, or way of lifeG391 — Full Word Study →, by deeds done inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → the humility that comes from wisdomσοφίαςsophias — Wisdom; divine insight and practical understandingG4678 — Full Word Study →. 14Butδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → ifεἰei — if; conditional conjunction introducing hypothetical or contingent circumstancesG1487 — Full Word Study → you harbor bitterπικρὸνpikron — bitter, acrid in taste or attitudeG4089 — Full Word Study → jealousyζῆλονzēlon — Zealous devotion or passionate intensityG2205 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → selfish ambitionἐριθείανeritheian — selfish ambition, factious rivalry, partisan strifeG2052 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → yourὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → heartsκαρδίᾳkardia — heart; center of emotion, will, and moral characterG2588 — Full Word Study →, do not boast in it orκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → denyψεύδεσθεpseudesthe — to speak falsehood; to lie or deceiveG5574 — Full Word Study → theτῆςtēs — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → truthἀληθείαςalētheias — Truth; reality; authenticityG225 — Full Word Study →. 15Suchαὕτηhautē — This one; he, she, it; that person or thingG3778 — Full Word Study → wisdomσοφίαsophia — Wisdom; divine insight and practical understandingG4678 — Full Word Study → does notοὐκouk — No, not, negation particleG3756 — Full Word Study → comeκατερχομένηkaterchomenē — to come down, descend, go downG2718 — Full Word Study → from aboveἄνωθενanōthen — from above; again; from the beginningG509 — Full Word Study →, butἀλλὰalla — but, yet, rather, on the other handG235 — Full Word Study → is earthly, unspiritualψυχικήpsychikē — natural, unspiritual, fleshlyG5591 — Full Word Study →, demonicδαιμονιώδηςdaimoniōdēs — Demonic; of or pertaining to demonsG1141 — Full Word Study →. 16Forγὰρgar — for, because, since (causal/explanatory conjunction)G1063 — Full Word Study → whereὅπουhopou — where, wherever, the place in whichG3699 — Full Word Study → jealousyζῆλοςzēlos — Zealous devotion or passionate intensityG2205 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → selfish ambition exist, there will be disorderἀκαταστασίαakatastasia — disorder, confusion, tumultG181 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → everyπᾶνpan — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study → evilφαῦλονphaulon — worthless, evil, baseG5337 — Full Word Study → practiceπρᾶγμαpragma — a thing, matter, or deedG4229 — Full Word Study →. 17Butδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → the wisdom from aboveἄνωθενanōthen — from above; again; from the beginningG509 — Full Word Study → isἐστινestin — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → firstπρῶτονprōton — first; before; at the beginningG4412 — Full Word Study → of all pureἁγνήhagnē — morally pure, chaste, spotlessG53 — Full Word Study →, thenἔπειταepeita — then, afterward, next in sequenceG1899 — Full Word Study → peace-lovingεἰρηνικήeirēnikē — Peaceful, peaceable, inclined toward peaceG1516 — Full Word Study →, gentleἐπιεικήςepieikēs — gentle, reasonable, forbearingG1933 — Full Word Study →, accommodatingεὐπειθήςeupeithēs — easily persuaded; compliant; yieldingG2138 — Full Word Study →, fullμεστὴmestē — full, filled, completely occupiedG3324 — Full Word Study → of mercyἐλέουςeleous — Compassion, mercy, or tender compassionG1656 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → goodἀγαθῶνagathōn — good, beneficial, morally excellentG18 — Full Word Study → fruitκαρπῶνkarpōn — fruit; produce; result; outcomeG2590 — Full Word Study →, impartialἀδιάκριτοςadiakritos — impartial, without discriminationG87 — Full Word Study →, and sincere. 18Peacemakersεἰρήνηνeirēnēn — Peace; absence of conflict; inner tranquilityG1515 — Full Word Study → who sow inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → peaceεἰρήνῃeirēnē — Peace; absence of conflict; inner tranquilityG1515 — Full Word Study → reap the fruit of righteousnessδικαιοσύνηςdikaiosynēs — Righteousness; right standing with GodG1343 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — James 3
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

James chapter 3 addresses one of the most powerful and dangerous weapons we possess: the tongue. Moving from the theme of faith and works in earlier chapters, James now turns his attention to the critical matter of speech and its consequences. Through vivid metaphors—bits in horses' mouths, ship's helms, and destructive fire—he shows how this small member of our body can direct our entire lives and influence others for good or evil. The chapter concludes by contrasting worldly, divisive wisdom with the heavenly wisdom that comes from above, which produces peace, mercy, and righteousness.

Verses 1–5: The Power and Danger of Teaching

James begins by warning against a casual assumption of the teaching role. "Be not many masters" (v. 1) doesn't forbid all teaching, but rather cautions against the pride and presumption that can accompany it. Teachers will face stricter judgment because their words carry weight and influence many. Verses 2–5 establish the broader principle: all of us stumble in many ways, but the person who controls his tongue demonstrates maturity and self-control in every area of life. James uses two powerful illustrations—the horse's bit and the ship's helm—to show how a tiny device controls something vastly larger. Just as a small bit directs a powerful horse, and a tiny rudder steers a massive ship, our small tongue steers the entire course of our lives and relationships.

Application: If you teach God's Word—whether formally as a pastor or informally as a believer—remember the weight of that responsibility. More broadly, let these verses humble us all: controlling our speech is a key indicator of spiritual maturity.

Verses 6–8: The Tongue as Fire and Poison

Here James intensifies his language dramatically. The tongue is described as "a fire, a world of iniquity" (v. 6)—a source of corruption that can "defile the whole body" and set "the course of nature" ablaze. This fire is "set on fire of hell," indicating its ultimate source in Satan's influence over our sinful nature. Verses 7–8 make a striking observation: every creature—beasts, birds, serpents, sea creatures—can be tamed by mankind, yet no human being has successfully tamed the tongue. It is "an unruly evil, full of deadly poison." James is not saying taming the tongue is impossible through God's grace, but rather emphasizing how intractable and dangerous it naturally is without divine help.

Application: Recognize the spiritual danger of uncontrolled speech. Gossip, slander, angry outbursts, and lies are not minor failings but serious sins with real consequences. Invite the Holy Spirit's power to guard your words.

Verses 9–12: The Contradiction of Blessing and Cursing

James points out a glaring contradiction in Christian speech: from the same mouth we bless God the Father and curse people made in God's image (vv. 9–10). This ought not to be. He reinforces this truth with three natural illustrations: a fountain cannot produce both sweet and bitter water at the same place, a fig tree cannot bear olives, and a vine cannot produce figs (vv. 11–12). These illustrations emphasize the principle that our speech must be consistent with our new nature in Christ. Blessing God while cursing His image-bearers reveals an internal contradiction.

Application: Examine your speech honestly. Do you bless God on Sunday but speak harshly of others throughout the week? True faith produces consistent, Christ-honoring speech.

Verses 13–18: True Wisdom from Above

James concludes by contrasting two types of wisdom. The wise person demonstrates it through good works done "with meekness of wisdom" (v. 13). False wisdom—marked by "bitter envying and strife" (v. 14)—is "earthly, sensual, devilish" and produces "confusion and every evil work" (vv. 15–16). In contrast, true wisdom "from above" is "first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy" (v. 17). Verse 18 promises that peacemakers who sow righteousness will reap a harvest of righteousness.

Application: Seek heavenly wisdom through prayer and God's Word. Let your speech and actions reflect the character of Christ—humble, gentle, merciful, and at peace with others.

Application for Today

Our words matter more than we often realize. In a culture of constant communication—texts, social media, emails—the tongue's power to harm or heal has multiplied. James calls us to a higher standard: to speak with integrity, to bless rather than curse, and to pursue the wisdom from above that produces peace and righteousness. This is not accomplished through willpower alone, but through surrender to the Holy Spirit's transforming work in our hearts.

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