James 3:5
What does James 3:5 mean?
A plain-English look at James 3:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What James 3:5 means
Having shown how small things steer great bodies, James draws the connection: the tongue is a small member that boasts great things. Its impact far exceeds its size. He then pivots to a new image—a tiny spark that ignites a vast forest. Words can set off consequences wildly disproportionate to their origin. A careless comment, a proud claim, or a sly insinuation can spread rapidly, doing harm beyond repair. The warning is not that speaking is bad, but that speech has combustible potential. Therefore, we must measure our words, knowing that once set ablaze, fires consume swiftly and widely, often beyond the control of the one who struck the match.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000So the tongue also is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire!
KJV
King James Version · 1611Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901So the tongue also is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire!
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Even so the tongue is a small part of the body, but it takes credit for great things. How much wood may be lighted by a very little fire!
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862so also the tongue is a little member, and doth boast greatly; lo, a little fire how much wood it doth kindle!
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Even so the tongue is indeed a little member and boasteth great things. Behold how small a fire kindleth a great wood.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Thus also the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. See how little a fire, how large a wood it kindles!
Context
This verse explicitly applies the small‑to‑great principle to the tongue and transitions from steering imagery to destructive imagery. Verses 3–4 showed positive control; now the focus shifts to the danger when the tongue is not governed. The second half of the verse prepares for verse 6’s severe description of the tongue’s corruption and source. The movement readies readers to accept that what seems a minor faculty can have world‑shaping and soul‑staining effects, which is why teachers (verse 1) face greater judgment for their words.
v.4Behold, the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by rough winds, are yet turned about by a very small rudder, whither the impulse of the steersman willeth.
v.5This passage
v.6And the tongue is a fire: the world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the wheel of nature, and is set on fire by hell.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Jeremiah 18:18
Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.
- Jeremiah 9:3
And they bend their tongue, as it were their bow, for falsehood; and they are grown strong in the land, but not for truth: for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith Jehovah.
- Job 22:17
Who said unto God, Depart from us; And, What can the Almighty do for us?
- Jude 1:16
These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their lusts (and their mouth speaketh great swelling words), showing respect of persons for the sake of advantage.
- Proverbs 15:2
The tongue of the wise uttereth knowledge aright; But the mouth of fools poureth out folly.
- 2 Peter 2:18
For, uttering great swelling words of vanity, they entice in the lusts of the flesh, by lasciviousness, those who are just escaping from them that live in error;
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