James 3:2 BSB — MannaFest

James 3:2

We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body.

BSB

Parallel translations (2) ▾

ASV

For in many things we all stumble. If any stumbleth not in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also.

KJV

For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

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Commentary

4 voices

Cyril of Alexandria

CATENA (444)

The effective proof of a sound mind and perfect thought is to have nothing faulty on our tongue and to keep our mouths closed when necessary. For it is better to be guided by worthy speech, which is able to know and to express the fullness of all praise. For the most useful talent is to be able to speak wisdom when talking about how to live well. Foolish talk should be foreign to the saints.

The record, by era

The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices

John Wesley

1703–1791

Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament (1755)

The same is able to bridle the whole body - That is, the whole man. And doubtless some are able to do this, and so are in this sense perfect.

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

But, on the other hand, if a man seemeth to be religious (as was declared in the first chapter) and bridleth not his tongue, whatever profession he makes, that man's religion is vain. Further, he that offends not in word will not only prove himself a sincere Christian, but a very much advanced and improved Christian.

The Nineteenth Century1 voice

Adam Clarke

1762–1832

Commentary on the Bible (1832)

In many things we offend all - Πταιομεν ἁπαντες· We all stumble or trip. Dr. Barrow very properly observes: “As the general course of life is called a way, and particular actions steps, so going on in a regular course of right action is walking uprightly; and acting amiss, tripping or stumbling.” There are very few who walk so closely with God, and inoffensively with men, as never to stumble; and although it is the privilege of every follower of God to be sincere and without offense to the day of Christ, yet few of them are so.

Voices on this verse

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Original language & word study

19 tagged words

Original	Transliteration	Meaning	Word study
πολλὰ	polla	In many ways	G4183 →
γὰρ	gar	for	G1063 →
πταίομεν	ptaiomen	we stumble	G4417 →
ἅπαντες·	hapantes	all;	G537 →
εἴ	ei	If	G1487 →
τις	tis	anyone	G5100 →
ἐν	en	in	G1722 →
λόγῳ	logō	what he says	G3056 →
οὐ	ou	not	G3756 →
πταίει,	ptaiei	does stumble,	G4417 →
οὗτος	houtos	this one [is]	G3778 →
τέλειος	teleios	a perfect	G5046 →
ἀνήρ,	anēr	man,	G435 →
δυνατὸς	dunatos	able	G1415 →
χαλιναγωγῆσαι	chalinagōgēsai	to bridle	G5468 →
καὶ	kai	indeed	G2532 →
ὅλον	holon	all	G3650 →
τὸ	to	the	G3588 →
σῶμα.¶	sōma	body.	G4983 →

Rare words are the text's own signal of a deliberate thread: the fewer the occurrences, the more the places it appears belong together.

The walk

The walk8

Where the connections lead

Follow this verse’s cross-references two steps out. Each card is a verse this one points to, and beneath it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several different paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it. Every stop shows its own words, and every stop is a page.

Through
Proverbs 13:3
He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.
leads to
- Proverbs 21:23
  He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.
  Reached by 2 independent paths from here.
- Proverbs 18:21
  Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
- Proverbs 18:7
  A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
Through
James 1:26
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless.
leads to
- Psalms 141:3
  Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.
  Reached by 2 independent paths from here.
- 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.
Through
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.
leads to
- Psalms 34:12–16
  Who is the man who delights in life, who desires to see good days?
- James 1:26
  If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless.
  Reached by 2 independent paths from here.
Through
Matthew 12:37
For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
leads to
- Proverbs 13:3
  He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.

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01Commentary

The record, by era

Voices on this verse

02Original language & word study

03The walk

Where the connections lead

04Related verses

05Featured studies on this passage

06About James

The record, by era

Where the connections lead

Commentary

Original language & word study

The walk

Related verses

Featured studies on this passage

About James