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James 3

James 3:5 KJV (With Strong’s)

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5
Even
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
so
houto (Greek #3779)
in this way (referring to what precedes or follows)
KJV usage: after that, after (in) this manner, as, even (so), for all that, like(-wise), no more, on this fashion(-wise), so (in like manner), thus, what.
Pronounce: hoo'-to
Origin: οὕτως (hoo'-toce) adverb from 3778
the tongue
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
glossa (Greek #1100)
the tongue; by implication, a language (specially, one naturally unacquired)
KJV usage: tongue.
Pronounce: gloce-sah'
Origin: of uncertain affinity
i is
esti (Greek #2076)
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
KJV usage: are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.
Pronounce: es-tee'
Origin: third person singular present indicative of 1510
a little
mikros (Greek #3398)
small (in size, quantity, number or (figuratively) dignity)
KJV usage: least, less, little, small.
Pronounce: mik-ros'
Origin: μικρότερος (mik-rot'-er-os) apparently a primary word
member
melos (Greek #3196)
a limb or part of the body
KJV usage: member.
Pronounce: mel'-os
Origin: of uncertain affinity
, and
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
boastethk great things
megalaucheo (Greek #3166)
to talk big, i.e. be grandiloquent (arrogant, egotistic)
KJV usage: boast great things.
Pronounce: meg-al-ow-kheh'-o
Origin: from a compound of 3173 and αὐχέω (to boast; akin to 837 and 2744)
. Behold
idou (Greek #2400)
second person singular imperative middle voice of 1492; used as imperative lo!; --behold, lo, see.
Pronounce: id-oo'
, how great
helikos (Greek #2245)
as big as, i.e. (interjectively) how much
KJV usage: how (what) great.
Pronounce: hay-lee'-kos
Origin: from ἧλιξ (a comrade, i.e. one of the same age)
τa matter
hule (Greek #5208)
a forest, i.e. (by implication) fuel
KJV usage: matter.
Pronounce: hoo-lay'
Origin: perhaps akin to 3586
a little
oligos (Greek #3641)
puny (in extent, degree, number, duration or value); especially neuter (adverbially) somewhat
KJV usage: + almost, brief(-ly), few, (a) little, + long, a season, short, small, a while.
Pronounce: ol-ee'-gos
Origin: of uncertain affinity
fire
pur (Greek #4442)
"fire" (literally or figuratively, specially, lightning)
KJV usage: fiery, fire.
Pronounce: poor
Origin: a primary word
kindleth
anapto (Greek #381)
to enkindle
KJV usage: kindle, light.
Pronounce: an-ap'-to
Origin: from 303 and 681
!
i
Prov. 12:13•  (Prov. 12:13)
k
Psa. 12:3•  (Psa. 12:3)
τ
or, wood.

More on:

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Fire

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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so.
Ex. 5:2•  (Ex. 5:2)
;
Ex. 15:9•  (Ex. 15:9)
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2 Kings 19:22‑24•  (2 Kings 19:22‑24)
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Job 21:14‑15•  (Job 21:14‑15)
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Job 22:17•  (Job 22:17)
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Psa. 10:3•  (Psa. 10:3)
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Psa. 12:2‑4•  (Psa. 12:2‑4)
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Psa. 17:10•  (Psa. 17:10)
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Psa. 52:1‑2•  (Psa. 52:1‑2)
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Psa. 73:8‑9•  (Psa. 73:8‑9)
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Prov. 12:18•  (Prov. 12:18)
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Prov. 15:2•  (Prov. 15:2)
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Prov. 18:21•  (Prov. 18:21)
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Jer. 9:3‑8•  (Jer. 9:3‑8)
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Jer. 18:18•  (Jer. 18:18)
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Ezek. 28:2•  (Ezek. 28:2)
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Ezek. 29:3•  (Ezek. 29:3)
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Dan. 3:15•  (Dan. 3:15)
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Dan. 4:30•  (Dan. 4:30)
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2 Peter 2:18• 18For uttering overswellings of vanity, they allure in lusts of the flesh, by dissolutenesses, those that are just escaping from them that walk in error, (2 Peter 2:18)
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Jude 16• 16These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their lusts, and their mouth speaketh swelling things, admiring persons for the sake of profit. (Jude 16)
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Rev. 13:5‑6• 5And there was given him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemy; and there was given him authority to work forty-two months.
 6And he opened his mouth unto blasphemies against God, to blaspheme his name and his tabernacle [and] those that tabernacle in the heaven. (Rev. 13:5‑6)
matter.
or, wood.
• If not bridled, the tongue can become the means of expressing the vanity of our hearts by condemning others and exalting ourselves, for it can boast "great things". (“The Evil of the Flesh: James 3-4” by H. Smith)
• though "a little member", it resembles a little fire that is capable of destroying an entire forest. (“The Evil of the Flesh: James 3-4” by H. Smith)
• no member of the body so readily and easily expresses our will, exposes our weakness, and reveals the true state of our heart, as the tongue. It is easily inflamed by malice in the heart, and inflames others (“The Evil of the Flesh: James 3-4” by H. Smith)
• The tongue is ordinarily used among men it is rightly declared by James to be “a fire, a world of iniquity” (ch. 3:6). Small as it is, it boasts great things. It may be like a little spark of fire, but how many a ruinous conflagration has been started by a little spark! (“James 3” by F.B. Hole)

J. N. Darby Translation

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5
Thus also the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. See how little a fire, how large a wooda it kindles!

JND Translation Notes

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a
i.e. a forest. But some regard the expression as meaning "materials."

W. Kelly Translation

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5
So also the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. See how large a wooda how little a fire kindleth!

WK Translation Notes

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a
It may be observed that the word hylēn generally translated "wood" or "forest" is often in philosophical writings used to express "matter," and by historians or others, like "materia" in Latin authors, the stuff or material of anything, timber etc. The KJV had ground for its rendering, even if the preponderance lean to that view which is presented here.