James 3:5

“Even so the tongue is a little member, etc.] Like the bit in the horse's mouth, or like the helm of a ship. And boasteth great things: and does them; for this word may be taken in a good sense: a bridled and sanctified tongue, that is influenced by the grace of God, and directed by the Spirit of God, as it speaks great and good things, it has great power, weight, and influence: the tongue of the just is as choice silver, and the lips of the righteous feed many, (<201020>Proverbs 10:20,21), the Gospel, as preached by Christ's faithful ministers, who are the church's tongue, when it comes not in word only, but in power, is the power of God unto salvation: faith comes by hearing it, and hearing…”

“boasteth great things--There is great moment in what the careless think "little" things [BENGEL]. Compare "a world," "the course of nature," "hell," Jam 3:6, which illustrate how the little tongue's great words produce great mischief. how great a matter a little fire kindleth--The best manuscripts read, "how little a fire kindleth how great a," &c. ALFORD, for "matter," translates, "forest." But GROTIUS translates as English Version, "material for burning": a pile of fuel.”

“Even so the tongue is a little member - Little compared with the body, as the bit or the rudder is, compared with the horse or the ship. And boasteth great things - The design of the apostle is to illustrate the power and influence of the tongue. This may be done in a great many respects: and the apostle does it by referring to its boasting; to the effects which it produces, resembling that of fire, James 3:6; to its untameableness, James 3:8-9; and to its giving utterance to the most inconsistent and incongruous thoughts, James 3:9-10. The particular idea here is, that the tongue seems to be conscious of its influence and power, and boasts largely of what it can do. The apostle means…”

“Boasteth great things - Hath great influence. James 3:6”

“so: Exo 5:2, Exo 15:9; Kg2 19:22-24; Job 21:14, Job 21:15, Job 22:17; Psa 10:3, Psa 12:2-4; Psa 17:10, Psa 52:1, Psa 52:2, Psa 73:8, Psa 73:9; Pro 12:18, Pro 15:2, Pro 18:21; Jer 9:3-8, Jer 18:18; Eze 28:2, Eze 29:3; Dan 3:15, Dan 4:30; Pe2 2:18; Jde 1:16; Rev 13:5, Rev 13:6 matter: or, wood James 3:6”