James 3:2

Modern

We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body.

Traditional

For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

Literal

For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in word, this one is a perfect man, able to bridle even the whole body.

Latin

In multis enim offendimus omnes. Si quis in verbo non offendit, hic perfectus est vir: potest etiam freno circumducere totum corpus.

Greek

English

We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body.

We all: The main concern of James is how the speech of church members affects their relationships with others (3:9–10, 14; 4:1–3).

Theme notes and profiles

James 1:26
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless.
Proverbs 13:3
He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.
Matthew 12:37
For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
1 Peter 3:10
For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.
Psalm 34:13
Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech.
James 3:5–6
In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze.
Proverbs 20:9
Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin”?
1 John 1:8–10
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
Ecclesiastes 7:20
Surely there is no righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.
Romans 3:10
As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one.
James 1:4
Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
1 Kings 8:46
When they sin against You—for there is no one who does not sin—and You become angry with them and deliver them to an enemy who takes them as captives to his own land, whether far or near,