8
Butδὲnoοὐδεὶςhuman beingἀνθρώπωνcanδύναταιtameδαμάσαιthe tongue:τὴν γλῶσσανit isa restlessἀκατάστατονevil,κακόνfullμεστὴof deadlyθανατηφόρουpoison.ἰοῦ
James 3:8
Study it in the app“But no human being can tame the tongue: it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”
James: the tongue, small like a bit or a rudder, is a fire that no one can tameThe Tongue
With the Greek beneath
James 3:8, word by word
- human beingἀνθρώπωνanthrōpōn
mortal
Humans, weak before God.
Where else “anthrōpōn” appears- canδύναταιdynatai
can, be able
Can, be able.
Where else “dynatai” appears- tameδαμάσαιdamasai
tame, subdue
Tame, subdue.
Where else “damasai” appears- the tongueγλῶσσανglōssan
tongue
The organ of the mouth used to speak and to taste.
Where else “glōssan” appears- a restlessἀκατάστατονakatastaton
unstable
Unstable, restless: not standing firm.
Where else “akatastaton” appears- evilκακόνkakon
evil
What goes against God's will and harms others.
Where else “kakon” appears- fullμεστὴmestē
full
Full.
Where else “mestē” appears- of deadlyθανατηφόρουthanatēphorou
deadly
Deadly: bringing death.
Where else “thanatēphorou” appears- poisonἰοῦiou
venom
A deadly substance, like a snake's.
Where else “iou” appears
Translation note· on the manuscripts
Many manuscripts read “an evil that cannot be restrained.”
The context
7For every kind of beasts and birds, of reptiles and sea creatures, is tamed and has been tamed by humankind,
8 · This verse (above)
9With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who have been made in the likeness of God.
To study James 3 in a group
1. What it says
What images does James use to describe the power of the tongue (v. 3-6)?
2. What it means
Why do you think James contrasts the wisdom "from above" with bitter jealousy and rivalry (v. 13-18)?
3. How I live it
James says blessing and cursing come from the same mouth (v. 9-10). What kind word could you say today?