James 3:2

“For in many things we offend all, etc.] Or “we all offend”, slip and fall; no man lives without sin; in many, in most, if not in all things, a good man himself does, he sins; and this extends to the most solemn services, and best works of a good man; there is sin in his holy things, imperfections in all his performances; his righteousnesses are as filthy rags; hence no man can be justified by his works before God, nor is any man perfect in this life, so as to be without sin in himself: the apostle includes himself in this account, and that not out of modesty merely, or in a complaisant way, but as matter of fact, and what he found in himself, and observed in the conduct of his life: and now…”

“all--The Greek implies "all without exception": even the apostles. offend not--literally "stumbleth not": is void of offence or "slip" in word: in which respect one is especially tried who sets up to be a "teacher."”

“For in many things we offend all - We all offend. The word here rendered offend, means to stumble, to fall; then to err, to fail in duty; and the meaning here is, that all were liable to commit error, and that this consideration should induce men to be cautious in seeking an office where an error would be likely to do so much injury. The particular thing, doubtless, which the apostle had in his eye, was the peculiar liability to commit error, or to do wrong with the tongue. Of course, this liability is very great in an office where the very business is public speaking. If anywhere the improper use of the tongue will do mischief, it is in the office of a religious teacher; and to show the…”

“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. James 3:3”

“3:2 we all: James’s primary concern is with the speech of church members as they influence interpersonal relationships (3:9-10, 14; 4:1-3).”

“in: Kg1 8:46; Ch2 6:36; Pro 20:9; Ecc 7:20; Isa 64:6; Rom 3:10, Rom 7:21; Gal 3:22, Gal 5:17; Jo1 1:8-10 If: Jam 3:5, Jam 3:6, Jam 1:26; Psa 34:13; Pro 13:3; Pe1 3:10 a perfect: Jam 1:4; Mat 12:37; Col 1:28, Col 4:12; Heb 13:21; Pe1 5:10 to bridle: Co1 9:27 James 3:3”