Key Verse Spotlight
James 3:5 - Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing and how to apply it today
Translation: World English Bible — Catholic Edition
" So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest! "
James 3:5
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
3 Indeed, we put bits into the horses’ mouths so that they may obey us, and we guide their whole body.
4 Behold, the ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds, are yet guided by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires.
5 So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest!
6 And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna.
7 For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and sea creature is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind;
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James 3:1
"Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment."
James 3:2
"For we all stumble in many things. Anyone who doesn’t stumble in word is a perfect person, able to bridle the whole body also."
James 3:3
"Indeed, we put bits into the horses’ mouths so that they may obey us, and we guide their whole body."
James 3:4
"Behold, the ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds, are yet guided by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires."
James 3:6
"And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna."
James 3:7
"For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and sea creature is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind;"
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