Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. New Living Translation but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. English Standard Version but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. Berean Standard Bible but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. Berean Literal Bible but no one of men is able to subdue the tongue; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. King James Bible But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. New King James Version But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. New American Standard Bible But no one among mankind can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. NASB 1995 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. NASB 1977 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. Legacy Standard Bible But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. Amplified Bible But no one can tame the human tongue; it is a restless evil [undisciplined, unstable], full of deadly poison. Christian Standard Bible but no one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. Holman Christian Standard Bible but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. American Standard Version but the tongue can no man tame; it is a restless evil, it is full of deadly poison. Contemporary English Version But our tongues get out of control. They are restless and evil, and always spreading deadly poison. English Revised Version but the tongue can no man tame; it is a restless evil, it is full of deadly poison. GOD'S WORD® Translation Yet, no one can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil filled with deadly poison. Good News Translation But no one has ever been able to tame the tongue. It is evil and uncontrollable, full of deadly poison. International Standard Version but no one can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil filled with deadly poison. Majority Standard Bible but no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. NET Bible But no human being can subdue the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. New Heart English Bible But nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. Webster's Bible Translation But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Weymouth New Testament But the tongue no man or woman is able to tame. It is an ever-busy mischief, and is full of deadly poison. World English Bible but nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionbut no one of men is able to subdue the tongue—[it is] an unruly evil, full of deadly poison; Berean Literal Bible but no one of men is able to subdue the tongue; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Young's Literal Translation and the tongue no one of men is able to subdue, it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison, Smith's Literal Translation And the tongue none of men can tame; an ungovernable evil, full of deadly poison. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut the tongue no man can tame, an unquiet evil, full of deadly poison. Catholic Public Domain Version But no man is able to rule over the tongue, a restless evil, full of deadly poison. New American Bible but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. New Revised Standard Version but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut the tongue no man can tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Aramaic Bible in Plain English But the tongue no man is able to tame, this evil which is uncontrolled; It is full of deadly poison. NT Translations Anderson New Testamentbut the tongue no man can tame; it is an unruly evil; it is full of deadly poison. Godbey New Testament but no one of men is able to tame the tongue; an incorrigible evil, full of deadly poison. Haweis New Testament but the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Mace New Testament but who could ever tame the tongue? arm'd with deadly poison, the mischief scorns restraint. Weymouth New Testament But the tongue no man or woman is able to tame. It is an ever-busy mischief, and is full of deadly poison. Worrell New Testament but the tongue no man can tame; a restless evil, full of deadly poison! Worsley New Testament but the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Taming the Tongue…7All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.… Cross References Proverbs 18:21 Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Matthew 12:34-37 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. / The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure. / But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. ... Proverbs 15:4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. Psalm 140:3 They sharpen their tongues like snakes; the venom of vipers is on their lips. Selah Romans 3:13-14 “Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The venom of vipers is on their lips.” / “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” Proverbs 12:18 Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Ephesians 4:29 Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen. Proverbs 21:23 He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress. 1 Peter 3:10 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. Proverbs 10:19 When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise. Psalm 52:2-4 Your tongue devises destruction like a sharpened razor, O worker of deceit. / You love evil more than good, falsehood more than speaking truth. Selah / You love every word that devours, O deceitful tongue. Colossians 3:8 But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Proverbs 13:3 He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin. Matthew 15:11 A man is not defiled by what enters his mouth, but by what comes out of it.” Psalm 64:3 who sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows, Treasury of Scripture But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. an unruly. James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. Psalm 55:21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords. Psalm 57:4 My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword. full. Deuteronomy 32:33 Their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps. Psalm 58:4 Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear; Psalm 140:3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison is under their lips. Selah. Jump to Previous Able Controlled Deadly Death Evil Full Human Mischief Nobody Poison Restless Subdue Tame Tongue Unresting Unruly UnsettledJump to Next Able Controlled Deadly Death Evil Full Human Mischief Nobody Poison Restless Subdue Tame Tongue Unresting Unruly UnsettledJames 3 1. We are not rashly or arrogantly to reprove others;5. but rather to bridle the tongue, a little member, 9. but a powerful instrument of much good, and great harm. 13. The truly wise are mild and peaceable, without envy and strife. but no man can tame the tongue. The phrase highlights the inherent difficulty humans face in controlling their speech. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of human fallibility and the need for divine assistance. The tongue, representing speech, is a small part of the body but has a significant impact, as seen in James 3:5-6, where it is compared to a small spark that can set a great forest on fire. The inability to tame the tongue underscores the need for spiritual discipline and reliance on the Holy Spirit, as seen in Galatians 5:22-23, where self-control is listed as a fruit of the Spirit. The tongue's untamable nature also reflects the fallen state of humanity, echoing the sentiments of Jeremiah 17:9 about the deceitfulness of the heart. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. Persons / Places / Events 1. JamesThe author of the epistle, traditionally identified as James, the brother of Jesus and a leader in the early Jerusalem church. He is known for his practical teachings on Christian living. 2. The Early Church The context in which James wrote, addressing Jewish Christians scattered among the nations, dealing with issues of faith, works, and community living. 3. The Tongue A metaphorical reference to human speech and communication, highlighting its potential for both good and harm. Teaching Points The Untamable TongueDespite human efforts, the tongue cannot be fully controlled by human strength alone. This highlights our need for divine assistance and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The Restless Evil The tongue is described as "restless," indicating its potential for constant activity and mischief. Believers must remain vigilant and intentional about their speech. Full of Deadly Poison Words can cause significant harm, akin to poison. Christians are called to be mindful of the impact their words can have on others and to strive for speech that heals rather than harms. The Role of the Heart The tongue reflects the condition of the heart. A transformed heart, aligned with God's will, will produce speech that honors Him. Seeking God's Help Recognizing our inability to tame the tongue on our own should drive us to seek God's help through prayer and reliance on the Holy Spirit.(8) But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly (or, restless) evil, full of deadly poison.--Mortiferous, bringer of death, like a poisoned dart or arrow; and therefore most suggestive of envenomed flights at the fame of others. St. James does not mean that no one can tame his own tongue, for so he would hardly be responsible for its vagaries; and lower down it is written expressly, "these things ought not so to be." The hopeless savagery of the tongue, excelling the fury of wild beasts, must be that of the liar, the traducer, and blasphemer. (Comp. Psalms 140)Verse 8. - It is an unruly evil; rather restless, reading ἀκατάστατον (א, A, B) for ἀκατάσχετον of Textus Receptus (C, K, L); Vulgate, inquietum malum (cf. James 1:8). The nominatives in this verse should be noticed: "The last words are to be regarded as a kind of exclamation, and are therefore appended in an independent construction" (Winer, p. 668). A restless evil! Full of deadly poison! Compare the abrupt nominative in Philippians 3:19 with Bishop Light-feet's note. Deadly (θανατηφόρος); here only in the New Testament. In the LXX. it is found in Numbers 18:22; Job 33:23; 4 Macc. 8:17, 24; 15:23. For the figure, cf. Psalm 140:3, "They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison is under their lips." Parallel Commentaries ... Greek butδὲ (de) Conjunction Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc. no οὐδεὶς (oudeis) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3762: No one, none, nothing. man ἀνθρώπων (anthrōpōn) Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being. can δύναται (dynatai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1410: (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible. tame δαμάσαι (damasai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active Strong's 1150: To tame, subdue, involving obedience and restraint. A variation of an obsolete primary of the same meaning; to tame. the τὴν (tēn) Article - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. tongue. γλῶσσαν (glōssan) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 1100: The tongue; by implication, a language. [It is] a restless ἀκατάστατον (akatastaton) Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular Strong's 182: Unsettled, unstable (though these are hardly strong enough equivalents), almost anarchic. Inconstant. evil, κακόν (kakon) Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular Strong's 2556: Bad, evil, in the widest sense. Apparently a primary word; worthless, i.e. depraved, or injurious. full μεστὴ (mestē) Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 3324: Full, filled with. Of uncertain derivation. of deadly θανατηφόρου (thanatēphorou) Adjective - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 2287: Death-bringing, deadly. From thanatos and phero; death-bearing, i.e. Fatal. poison. ἰοῦ (iou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 2447: Poison, rust; an arrow. Perhaps from eimi or hiemi; rust; also venom. Links James 3:8 NIVJames 3:8 NLT James 3:8 ESV James 3:8 NASB James 3:8 KJV James 3:8 BibleApps.com James 3:8 Biblia Paralela James 3:8 Chinese Bible James 3:8 French Bible James 3:8 Catholic Bible NT Letters: James 3:8 But nobody can tame the tongue (Ja Jas. Jam) |
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