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James 3:6

New American Standard Bible (NASB ©1995) [2]
— And the tongue is a fire, the [very] world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of [our] life, and is set on fire by hell.
King James Version (KJV 1769) [2]
— And the tongue [is] a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
English Revised Version (ERV 1885)
— And the tongue is a fire: the world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the wheel of nature, and is set on fire by hell.
American Standard Version (ASV 1901) [2]
— And the tongue is a fire: the world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the wheel of nature, and is set on fire by hell.
Webster's Revision of the KJB (WEB 1833)
— And the tongue [is] a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire from hell.
Darby's Translation (DBY 1890)
— and the tongue [is] fire, the world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set in our members, the defiler of the whole body, and which sets fire to the course of nature, and is set on fire of hell.
Rotherham's Emphasized Bible (EBR 1902)
— And, the tongue, is a fire,—[as], the world of unrighteousness, the tongue, becometh fixed among our members, that which defileth the whole body and setteth on fire the wheel of our natural life, and is set on fire, by gehenna!
Young's Literal Translation (YLT 1898)
— and the tongue [is] a fire, the world of the unrighteousness, so the tongue is set in our members, which is spotting our whole body, and is setting on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by the gehenna.
Douay-Rheims Challoner Revision (DR 1750)
— And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is placed among our members, which defileth the whole body and inflameth the wheel of our nativity, being set on fire by hell.
Geneva Bible (GNV 1560)
— And the tongue is fire, yea, a worlde of wickednesse: so is the tongue set among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature, and it is set on fire of hell.
Original King James Bible (AV 1611) [2]
— And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquitie: so is the tongue amongst our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature, and it is set on fire of hell.
Lamsa Bible (1957)
— The tongue is a fire, and the sinful world a forest; that very tongue while it is among our members, can defile our whole body and set on fire the course of our race which has rolled down from the beginning; and in the end it is consumed by fire.
John Etheridge Peshitta-Aramaic NT (1849)
— and the tongue is a fire, a world of sin, like a forest is the tongue itself among our members; it defileth all of our body, and burneth the course of our generations which run (forward) as a wheel, and kindleth also itself with fire.
James Murdock Peshitta-Aramaic NT (1852)
— Now the tongue is a fire, and the world of sin is like a forest. And this tongue, which is one among our members, marreth our whole body; and it inflameth the series of our generations that roll on like a wheel; and it is itself on fire.

Strong's Numbers & Red-LettersGreek New TestamentColor-Code/Key Word Studies
And 2532
{2532} Prime
καί
kai
{kahee}
Apparently a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so, then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words.
the x3588
(3588) Complement

ho
{ho}
The masculine, feminine (second) and neuter (third) forms, in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom).
tongue 1100
{1100} Prime
γλῶσσα
glossa
{gloce-sah'}
Of uncertain affinity; the tongue; by implication a language (specifically one naturally unacquired).
[is] a fire, 4442
{4442} Prime
πῦρ
pur
{poor}
A primary word; 'fire' (literally or figuratively, specifically lightning).
a world 2889
{2889} Prime
κόσμος
kosmos
{kos'-mos}
Probably from the base of G2865; orderly arrangement, that is, decoration; by implication the world (in a wide or narrow sense, including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively [morally]).
of iniquity: 93
{0093} Prime
ἀδικία
adikia
{ad-ee-kee'-ah}
From G0094; (legal) injustice (properly the quality, by implication the act); moral wrongfulness (of charater, life or act).
so 3779
{3779} Prime
οὕτω
houto
{hoo'-to}
From G3778; in this way (referring to what precedes or follows).
is 2525
{2525} Prime
καθίστημι
kathistemi
{kath-is'-tay-mee}
From G2596 and G2476; to place down (permanently), that is, (figuratively) to designate, constitute, convoy.
z5743
<5743> Grammar
Tense - Present (See G5774)
Voice - Passive (See G5786)
Mood - Indicative (See G5791)
Count - 271
the x3588
(3588) Complement

ho
{ho}
The masculine, feminine (second) and neuter (third) forms, in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom).
tongue 1100
{1100} Prime
γλῶσσα
glossa
{gloce-sah'}
Of uncertain affinity; the tongue; by implication a language (specifically one naturally unacquired).
among 1722
{1722} Prime
ἐν
en
{en}
A primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), that is, a relation of rest (intermediate between G1519 and G1537); 'in', at, (up-) on, by, etc.
our 2257
{2257} Prime
ἡμῶν
hemon
{hay-mone'}
Genitive plural of G1473; of (or from) us.
members, 3196
{3196} Prime
μέλος
melos
{mel'-os}
Of uncertain affinity; a limb or part of the body.
that it defileth y4695
[4695] Standard
σπιλόω
spiloo
{spee-lo'-o}
From G4696; to stain or soil (literally or figuratively).
z5723
<5723> Grammar
Tense - Present (See G5774)
Voice - Active (See G5784)
Mood - Participle (See G5796)
Count - 2549
x4696
(4696) Complement
σπίλος
spilos
{spee'-los}
Of uncertain derivation; a stain or blemish, that is, (figuratively) defect, disgrace.
the x3588
(3588) Complement

ho
{ho}
The masculine, feminine (second) and neuter (third) forms, in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom).
whole 3650
{3650} Prime
ὅλος
holos
{hol'-os}
A primary word; 'whole' or 'all', that is, complete (in extent, amount, time or degree), especially (neuter) as noun or adverb.
body, 4983
{4983} Prime
σῶμα
soma
{so'-mah}
From G4982; the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively.
and 2532
{2532} Prime
καί
kai
{kahee}
Apparently a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so, then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words.
setteth on fire 5394
{5394} Prime
φλογίζω
phlogizo
{flog-id'-zo}
From G5395; to cause a blaze, that is, ignite (figuratively to inflame with passion).
z5723
<5723> Grammar
Tense - Present (See G5774)
Voice - Active (See G5784)
Mood - Participle (See G5796)
Count - 2549
the x3588
(3588) Complement

ho
{ho}
The masculine, feminine (second) and neuter (third) forms, in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom).
course 5164
{5164} Prime
τροχός
trochos
{trokh-os'}
From G5143; a wheel (as a runner), that is, (figuratively) a circuit of physical effects.
of nature; 1078
{1078} Prime
γένεσις
genesis
{ghen'-es-is}
From the same as G1074; nativity; figuratively nature.
and 2532
{2532} Prime
καί
kai
{kahee}
Apparently a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so, then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words.
it is set on fire 5394
{5394} Prime
φλογίζω
phlogizo
{flog-id'-zo}
From G5395; to cause a blaze, that is, ignite (figuratively to inflame with passion).
z5746
<5746> Grammar
Tense - Present (See G5774)
Voice - Passive (See G5786)
Mood - Participle (See G5796)
Count - 360
of 5259
{5259} Prime
ὑπό
hupo
{hoop-o'}
A primary preposition; under, that is, (with the genitive) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative) of place (whither [underneath] or where [below]) or time (when [at]).
hell. 1067
{1067} Prime
γέεννα
geenna
{gheh'-en-nah}
Of Hebrew origin ([H1516] and [H2011]); valley of (the son of) Hinnom; gehenna (or Ge-Hinnom), a valley of Jerusalem, used (figuratively) as a name for the place (or state) of everlasting punishment.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary

James 3:6

_ _ Translate, “The tongue, that world of iniquity, is a fire.” As man’s little world is an image of the greater world, the universe, so the tongue is an image of the former [Bengel].

_ _ so — omitted in the oldest authorities.

_ _ is — literally, “is constituted.” “The tongue is (constituted), among the members, the one which defileth,” etc. (namely, as fire defiles with its smoke).

_ _ course of nature — “the orb (cycle) of creation.”

_ _ setteth on fire ... is set on fire — habitually and continually. While a man inflames others, he passes out of his own power, being consumed in the flame himself.

_ _ of hell — that is, of the devil. Greek,Gehenna”; found here only and in Matthew 5:22. James has much in common with the Sermon on the Mount (Proverbs 16:27).

Matthew Henry's Commentary

See commentary on James 3:1-12.

John Wesley's Explanatory Notes

James 3:6

A world of iniquity — Containing an immense quantity of all manner of wickedness. It defileth — As fire by its smoke. The whole body — The whole man. And setteth on fire the course of nature — All the passions, every wheel of his soul.

Geneva Bible Translation Notes

James 3:6

And the tongue [is] a fire, a (b) world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and (c) setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

(b) A heap of all mischiefs.

(c) It is able to set the whole world on fire.

Cross-Reference Topical ResearchStrong's Concordance
the tongue:

Judges 12:4-6 Then Jephthah gathered together all the men of Gilead, and fought with Ephraim: and the men of Gilead smote Ephraim, because they said, Ye Gileadites [are] fugitives of Ephraim among the Ephraimites, [and] among the Manassites. ... Then said they unto him, Say now Shibboleth: and he said Sibboleth: for he could not frame to pronounce [it] right. Then they took him, and slew him at the passages of Jordan: and there fell at that time of the Ephraimites forty and two thousand.
2 Samuel 19:43 And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more [right] in David than ye: why then did ye despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king? And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.
2 Samuel 20:1 And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name [was] Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel.
2 Chronicles 10:13-16 And the king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men, ... And when all Israel [saw] that the king would not hearken unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? and [we have] none inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to your tents, O Israel: [and] now, David, see to thine own house. So all Israel went to their tents.
2 Chronicles 13:17 And Abijah and his people slew them with a great slaughter: so there fell down slain of Israel five hundred thousand chosen men.
Psalms 64:3 Who whet their tongue like a sword, [and] bend [their bows to shoot] their arrows, [even] bitter words:
Psalms 140:3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison [is] under their lips. Selah.
Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
Proverbs 16:27 An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips [there is] as a burning fire.
Proverbs 26:20-21 Where no wood is, [there] the fire goeth out: so where [there is] no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. ... [As] coals [are] to burning coals, and wood to fire; so [is] a contentious man to kindle strife.
Isaiah 30:27 Behold, the name of the LORD cometh from far, burning [with] his anger, and the burden [thereof is] heavy: his lips are full of indignation, and his tongue as a devouring fire:

a world:

James 2:7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
Genesis 3:4-6 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: ... And when the woman saw that the tree [was] good for food, and that it [was] pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make [one] wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
Leviticus 24:11 And the Israelitish woman's son blasphemed the name [of the LORD], and cursed. And they brought him unto Moses: (and his mother's name [was] Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan:)
Numbers 25:2 And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods.
Numbers 31:16 Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.
Deuteronomy 13:6 If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which [is] as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers;
Judges 16:15-20 And she said unto him, How canst thou say, I love thee, when thine heart [is] not with me? thou hast mocked me these three times, and hast not told me wherein thy great strength [lieth]. ... And she said, The Philistines [be] upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.
1 Samuel 22:9-17 Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub. ... And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also [is] with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD.
2 Samuel 13:26-29 Then said Absalom, If not, I pray thee, let my brother Amnon go with us. And the king said unto him, Why should he go with thee? ... And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and every man gat him up upon his mule, and fled.
2 Samuel 15:2-6 And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was [so], that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city [art] thou? And he said, Thy servant [is] of one of the tribes of Israel. ... And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
2 Samuel 16:20-23 Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do. ... And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, [was] as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God: so [was] all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.
2 Samuel 17:1-2 Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night: ... And I will come upon him while he [is] weary and weak handed, and will make him afraid: and all the people that [are] with him shall flee; and I will smite the king only:
1 Kings 21:5-15 But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said unto him, Why is thy spirit so sad, that thou eatest no bread? ... And it came to pass, when Jezebel heard that Naboth was stoned, and was dead, that Jezebel said to Ahab, Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give thee for money: for Naboth is not alive, but dead.
Proverbs 1:10-14 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. ... Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:
Proverbs 6:19 A false witness [that] speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
Proverbs 7:5 That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger [which] flattereth with her words.
Proverbs 7:21-23 With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him. ... Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it [is] for his life.
Jeremiah 20:10 For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, [say they], and we will report it. All my familiars watched for my halting, [saying], Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.
Jeremiah 28:16 Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will cast thee from off the face of the earth: this year thou shalt die, because thou hast taught rebellion against the LORD.
Matthew 12:24 But when the Pharisees heard [it], they said, This [fellow] doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.
Matthew 12:32-36 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the [world] to come. ... But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
Matthew 15:11-20 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. ... These are [the things] which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.
Mark 7:15 There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.
Mark 7:20-22 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. ... Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
Mark 14:55-57 And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none. ... And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying,
Acts 6:13 And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:
Acts 20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
Romans 3:13-14 Their throat [is] an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps [is] under their lips: ... Whose mouth [is] full of cursing and bitterness:
Romans 16:17-18 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. ... For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
Ephesians 5:3-4 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; ... Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
Colossians 3:8-9 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. ... Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. ... That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Titus 1:11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.
2 Peter 2:1-2 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. ... And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
2 Peter 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
3 John 1:10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth [them] out of the church.
Jude 1:8-10 Likewise also these [filthy] dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. ... But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.
Jude 1:15-18 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard [speeches] which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. ... How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
Revelation 2:14-15 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. ... So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
Revelation 13:1-5 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. ... And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty [and] two months.
Revelation 13:14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by [the means of] those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
Revelation 18:23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.
Revelation 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

it is:

Luke 16:24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
Acts 5:3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back [part] of the price of the land?
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 For such [are] false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. ... Therefore [it is] no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
2 Thessalonians 2:9 [Even him], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
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Chain-Reference Bible SearchCross References with Concordance

Gn 3:4. Lv 24:11. Nu 25:2; 31:16. Dt 13:6. Jg 12:4; 16:15. 1S 22:9. 2S 13:26; 15:2; 16:20; 17:1; 19:43; 20:1. 1K 21:5. 2Ch 10:13; 13:17. Ps 64:3; 140:3. Pv 1:10; 6:19; 7:5, 21; 15:1; 16:27; 26:20. Is 30:27. Jr 20:10; 28:16. Mt 12:24, 32; 15:11. Mk 7:15, 20; 14:55. Lk 16:24. Ac 5:3; 6:13; 20:30. Ro 3:13; 16:17. 2Co 11:13. Ep 5:3. Col 3:8. 2Th 2:9, 10. Tit 1:11. Jm 2:7. 2P 2:1; 3:3. 3Jn 1:10. Jde 1:8, 15. Rv 2:14; 12:9; 13:1, 14; 18:23; 19:20.

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