James 3:6

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 1 of 32
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἡ G3588
ἡ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 2 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γλῶσσα the tongue G1100
γλῶσσα the tongue
Strong's: G1100
Word #: 3 of 32
the tongue; by implication, a language (specially, one naturally unacquired)
πῦρ· is a fire G4442
πῦρ· is a fire
Strong's: G4442
Word #: 4 of 32
"fire" (literally or figuratively, specially, lightning)
ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 5 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κόσμος a world G2889
κόσμος a world
Strong's: G2889
Word #: 6 of 32
orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))
τῆς G3588
τῆς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 7 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀδικίας of iniquity G93
ἀδικίας of iniquity
Strong's: G93
Word #: 8 of 32
(legal) injustice (properly, the quality, by implication, the act); morally, wrongfulness (of character, life or act)
οὕτως so G3779
οὕτως so
Strong's: G3779
Word #: 9 of 32
in this way (referring to what precedes or follows)
ἡ G3588
ἡ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 10 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γλῶσσα the tongue G1100
γλῶσσα the tongue
Strong's: G1100
Word #: 11 of 32
the tongue; by implication, a language (specially, one naturally unacquired)
καθίσταται is G2525
καθίσταται is
Strong's: G2525
Word #: 12 of 32
to place down (permanently), i.e., (figuratively) to designate, constitute, convoy
ἐν among G1722
ἐν among
Strong's: G1722
Word #: 13 of 32
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
τοῖς G3588
τοῖς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 14 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μέλεσιν members G3196
μέλεσιν members
Strong's: G3196
Word #: 15 of 32
a limb or part of the body
ἡμῶν our G2257
ἡμῶν our
Strong's: G2257
Word #: 16 of 32
of (or from) us
ἡ G3588
ἡ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 17 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σπιλοῦσα that it defileth G4695
σπιλοῦσα that it defileth
Strong's: G4695
Word #: 18 of 32
to stain or soil (literally or figuratively)
ὅλον the whole G3650
ὅλον the whole
Strong's: G3650
Word #: 19 of 32
"whole" or "all", i.e., complete (in extent, amount, time or degree), especially (neuter) as noun or adverb
τὸ G3588
τὸ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 20 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σῶμα body G4983
σῶμα body
Strong's: G4983
Word #: 21 of 32
the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively
καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 22 of 32
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
φλογιζομένη it is set on fire G5394
φλογιζομένη it is set on fire
Strong's: G5394
Word #: 23 of 32
to cause a blaze, i.e., ignite (figuratively, to inflame with passion)
τὸν G3588
τὸν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 24 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τροχὸν the course G5164
τροχὸν the course
Strong's: G5164
Word #: 25 of 32
a wheel (as a runner), i.e., (figuratively) a circuit of physical effects
τῆς G3588
τῆς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 26 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γενέσεως of nature G1078
γενέσεως of nature
Strong's: G1078
Word #: 27 of 32
nativity; figuratively, nature
καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 28 of 32
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
φλογιζομένη it is set on fire G5394
φλογιζομένη it is set on fire
Strong's: G5394
Word #: 29 of 32
to cause a blaze, i.e., ignite (figuratively, to inflame with passion)
ὑπὸ of G5259
ὑπὸ of
Strong's: G5259
Word #: 30 of 32
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
τῆς G3588
τῆς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 31 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γεέννης hell G1067
γεέννης hell
Strong's: G1067
Word #: 32 of 32
valley of (the son of) hinnom; ge-henna (or ge-hinnom), a valley of jerusalem, used (figuratively) as a name for the place (or state) of everlasting p

Analysis & Commentary

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. The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity, staining the whole body, setting on fire the course of nature, and itself set on fire by hell (Gehenna, γέεννα). James vividly portrays speech as instrument of hellish destruction when uncontrolled.

Reformed demonology acknowledges Satan's desire to use speech to divide. James reminds believers that tongues can become pipelines of hell or instruments of grace; neutrality is impossible.

Historical Context

Gehenna imagery resonated with Jews familiar with Jerusalem's refuse fire. Diaspora believers faced slanderous accusations; James warns them not to return fire with hellish speech. Paul's admonition in Ephesians 4:27 to not give the devil opportunity parallels this.

Questions for Reflection

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