James 3 6

James 3:6 kjv

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.

James 3:6 nkjv

And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.

James 3:6 niv

The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one's life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

James 3:6 esv

And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.

James 3:6 nlt

And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.

James 3 verses

James 3 6 Meaning

The Apostle James emphatically declares the profound and pervasive destructive power of the tongue, likening it to a devouring fire. This small member, when uncontrolled, becomes a cosmos—a system or world—of unrighteousness embedded within the human being. It pollutes the entire person, the whole community of believers, and sets aflame the very course or wheel of one's existence and life's trajectory. This destructive fire is not merely of human origin but is fueled directly by Gehenna, signifying its demonic and hellish source, leading to spiritual corruption and eternal consequences.

James 3 6 Context

James chapter 3 delves deeply into the powerful and often destructive nature of the tongue. Building on the preceding chapters' emphasis on faith manifested through works and not merely profession (Jam 2:14-26), James transitions to one of the most visible expressions of one's inner spiritual state: their speech. He asserts that while a horse can be steered by a small bit, a ship by a small rudder, and a forest consumed by a small fire, the tongue, though small, wields immense power, for good or for devastating evil. James 3:6 stands as the climactic warning in this exposition, framing the tongue not just as a part of the body, but as a principal agent of global, self-destructive moral decay. Historically, this aligns with ancient Jewish wisdom literature, particularly the Proverbs, which consistently highlight the profound impact of words and the danger of an unbridled tongue. The audience, a dispersed Jewish-Christian community, would have been familiar with such teachings, and James reinforces them with vivid imagery and severe spiritual implications.

James 3 6 Word analysis

• And (καὶ, kai): A simple conjunction connecting this strong statement to the preceding analogies about the small size but great power of the tongue (James 3:3-5). It emphasizes a continuation of thought, building upon the dangerous implications of the tongue's potential.
• the tongue (ἡ γλῶσσα, hē glōssa): The central subject. In Greek, glōssa can refer to the physical organ, a language, or speech itself. Here, it signifies spoken words and the faculty of speech, personified. Its smallness contrasts sharply with its immense destructive capability.
• is (ἐστιν, estin, implied): The verb "to be" is often omitted in Greek, implying a direct and forceful identification.
• a fire (πῦρ, pyr): A potent metaphor. Fire is powerful, difficult to control, rapidly destructive, spreads quickly, leaves desolation, and purification (though here, mainly destructive). It consumes and renders useless. In a biblical context, fire can also represent divine judgment, anger, or zealous passion, but here it clearly highlights destructive power.
• the world of iniquity (ὁ κόσμος τῆς ἀδικίας, ho kosmos tēs adikias):
  • world (κόσμος, kosmos): Not merely the physical planet, but often referring to the ordered system, an arrangement, or the entirety of humanity's morally corrupt system alienated from God. James is saying the tongue is a micro-system or a miniature embodiment of the entire sinful, fallen order. It suggests an active realm where evil manifests and spreads.
  • of iniquity (τῆς ἀδικίας, tēs adikias): Adikia signifies unrighteousness, injustice, wickedness, or wrongdoing. The phrase means the tongue is the very realm or manifestation of sin within human members. It encapsulates the full scope of human wickedness expressed verbally.
• the tongue (ἡ γλῶσσα, hē glōssa): Repetition of the noun emphasizes the subject and its distinct identity as this "world of iniquity" when residing "among our members."
• is set among our members (καθίσταται ἐν τοῖς μέλεσιν ἡμῶν, kathistatai en tois melesin hēmōn):
  • is set/appointed (καθίσταται, kathistatai): Passive voice, suggesting it "becomes" or "is appointed" in this destructive role. It points to the tongue’s integral and pervasive presence within the human body/being.
  • our members (τοῖς μέλεσιν ἡμῶν, tois melesin hēmōn): Refers to the physical body parts, echoing other New Testament passages about sin dwelling in human members (e.g., Rom 7:23, Col 3:5). It stresses that this "world of iniquity" is not external but intimately connected to us, working from within.
• that which defiles (ἡ σπιλοῦσα, hē spilousa):
  • defiles (σπιλοῦσα, spilousa): A present participle, indicating a continuous action. Spiloō means to stain, soil, pollute, or contaminate. It's often used in moral or ceremonial defilement contexts. It indicates that the tongue's actions render one impure, contaminating not just external actions but one's inner being and reputation before God and others.
• the whole body (ὅλον τὸ σῶμα, holon to sōma):
  • body (σῶμα, sōma): Here, refers not only to the physical human body but, by extension, the entire person, character, reputation, or even the community of believers. Harmful speech doesn't just damage isolated aspects; it infiltrates and corrupts the entirety of one's being and influences the spiritual health of the community.
• and (καὶ, kai): Connects another aspect of the tongue's destructive power.
• sets on fire (φλογίζουσα, phlogizousa): Present participle, meaning "kindling, setting ablaze, scorching." Reinforces the metaphor of fire.
• the course of nature (τὸν τροχὸν τῆς γενέσεως, ton trochon tēs geneseōs): This phrase is profoundly interpretive.
  • course/wheel (τροχὸν, trochon): Literally "wheel," implying a cyclical, continuous motion or progression.
  • of nature/existence (τῆς γενέσεως, tēs geneseōs): Can mean "genesis, birth, origin," or the "course of existence, nature, life." The phrase denotes the entire cycle, development, or sphere of one's natural life and destiny from beginning to end. The tongue sets this entire trajectory on fire, suggesting ruin to one's life, relationships, and even spiritual legacy. It impacts a person’s present and future existence.
• and (καὶ, kai): Further adds to the chain of destructive events, leading to the ultimate source.
• is itself set on fire (φλογίζεται, phlogizetai): Passive voice. The tongue is being inflamed or ignited. This shows the source of its destructive power.
• by hell (ὑπὸ τῆς γεέννης, hypo tēs geennēs):
  • by (ὑπὸ, hypo): Indicates the source or agent.
  • hell (τῆς γεέννης, tēs geennēs): Gehenna, the Valley of Hinnom, southwest of Jerusalem, a place originally associated with child sacrifice (2 Kgs 23:10) and later a perpetual rubbish dump where fires constantly burned, consuming refuse. It became a metaphor for eternal punishment, God's fiery judgment, and the ultimate abode of the wicked or those destined for destruction. The direct implication is that the uncontrolled, destructive tongue is not merely an expression of human sin but is supernaturally empowered by the realm of evil itself, originating from spiritual forces antagonistic to God. This elevates the warning from a moral failure to one with eternal, infernal consequences.

James 3 6 Bonus section

• The gravity of James 3:6 indicates that mastery over one's speech is a hallmark of true spiritual maturity. If one fails here, other areas of self-control become highly suspect.
• The "world of iniquity" phrase points to speech not just as an act of sin, but as a microcosm reflecting and perpetuating all forms of evil found in the corrupted human system.
• The concept of the tongue "setting on fire the wheel of genesis/nature" also carries implications for one's physical and mental health. The stress and relational damage from sinful speech can contribute to overall bodily decay. It may also imply the pollution of the generations, affecting one's lineage or legacy.
• While Gehenna is often translated as "hell," understanding its Old Testament roots (Valley of Hinnom as a place of judgment and abhorrence) reinforces the idea of God's active disapproval and the consequence of being fueled by pure evil. It suggests that gossip, slander, boasting, and divisive words carry the very stench of spiritual destruction.
• The verse indirectly sets up a powerful contrast between the destructive tongue and the potential of the tongue as an instrument of praise, truth, and grace, as intended by God. A tongue fueled by Gehenna contrasts sharply with one indwelt and led by the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:29-30).

James 3 6 Commentary

James 3:6 powerfully conveys that the human tongue is not merely an inert organ but an incredibly potent instrument, capable of widespread spiritual and moral devastation. James employs a series of stark metaphors, escalating the warning about uncontrolled speech. It is a "fire" – dangerous, uncontrollable, and consuming, not only destroying relationships and reputation but also corroding one's very being. It is further identified as "the world of iniquity," meaning it encapsulates and unleashes the entirety of human wickedness within the body, making the tongue a concentrated embodiment of sin. This spiritual contagion then "defiles the whole body," affecting one's entire character and spiritual standing before God, not just a superficial part. Most severely, it "sets on fire the course of nature," suggesting that uncontrolled speech can derail, corrupt, and ultimately consume the entire trajectory of a person's life, destiny, and the experiences they have from beginning to end. The ultimate chilling revelation is that this destructive fire is "set on fire by hell" (Gehenna), implying its source is not merely human depravity but the malevolent realm of Satan, making unrestrained speech a conduit for infernal influence and leading to ultimate judgment. This verse serves as a profound warning to Christians to take heed of their words, recognizing their ultimate spiritual origins and eternal ramifications.