James 3:7

New Testament Epistle (General) ASV (1901)

What does James 3:7 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For every kind of beasts and birds, of creeping things and things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed by mankind.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For every kind of beasts and birds, of creeping things and things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed by mankind.
James 3:7 — American Standard Version

Context — James 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
7For every kind of beasts and birds, of creeping things and things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed by mankind.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For every kind of beasts, and of birds, etc.] Or the “nature” of them, as it is in the Greek text; however fierce, as beasts of prey are, or shy, as the fowls of the air be: and of serpents and things in the sea; the fishes there: is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind, or “by human nature”: by the wit and industry of man; by the various ways, means, and methods devised by man. So Pliny f35 relates, that elephants lions and tigers among beasts, and the eagle among birds, and crocodiles, asps, and other serpents, and fishes of the sea, have been tamed: though some think this is only to be understood of their being mastered and subdued, by one means or another; or of their being despoiled of…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“every kind--rather, "every nature" (that is, natural disposition and characteristic power). of beasts--that is, quadrupeds of every disposition; as distinguished from the three other classes of creation, "birds, creeping things (the Greek includes not merely 'serpents,' as English Version), and things in the sea." is tamed, and hath been--is continually being tamed, and hath been so long ago. of mankind--rather, "by the nature of man": man's characteristic power taming that of the inferior animals. The dative in the Greek may imply, "Hath suffered itself to be brought into tame subjection TO the nature of men." So it shall be in the millennial world; even now man, by gentle firmness, may…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For every kind of beasts - The apostle proceeds to state another thing showing the power of the tongue, the fact that it is ungovernable, and that there is no power of man to keep it under control. Everything else but this has been tamed. It is unnecessary to refine on the expressions used here, by attempting to prove that it is literally true that every species of beasts, and birds, and fishes has been tamed. The apostle is to be understood as speaking in a general and popular sense, showing the remarkable power of man over those things which are by nature savage and wild. The power of man in taming wild beasts is wonderful. Indeed, it is to be remembered that nearly all those beasts which…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Every kind - The expression perhaps is not to be taken strictly. Reptiles - That is, creeping things. James 3:8”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“kind: Gr. nature is tamed: Mar 5:4, Gr mankind: Gr. the nature of man James 3:8”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification