James 3:2

James 3:2

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.

a. NLT: Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.

b. NIV: We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.

c. Young’s Literal Translation: for we all make many stumbles; if any one in word doth not stumble, this one is a perfect man, able to bridle also the whole body;

d. Amplified Bible: For we all often stumble and fall and offend in many things. And if anyone does not offend in speech [never says the wrong things], he is a fully developed character and a perfect man, able to control his whole body and to curb his entire nature.

1. “For in many things we offend all…”

a. many [4183 * polus] [Strong: including the forms from the alternate pollos; (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely:--abundant, + altogether, common, + far (passed, spent), (+ be of a) great (age, deal, -ly, while), long, many, much, oft(-en (-times)), plenteous, sore, straitly.]

b. offend [4417 * patio] [Strong: to trip, i.e. (figuratively) to err, sin, fail (of salvation):--fall, offend, stumble.]

c. all [537 * hapas] [Strong: absolutely all or (singular) every one:--all (things), every (one), whole.]

2. “…If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man,

a. offend [4417 * patio] [Strong: to trip, i.e. (figuratively) to err, sin, fail (of salvation):--fall, offend, stumble.]

b. not [3756 * ou] [Strong: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare 3361) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but.]

c. word [ 3056 * logos] [Strong:  something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (i.e. Christ):--account, cause, communication, X concerning, doctrine, fame, X have to do, intent, matter, mouth, preaching, question, reason, + reckon, remove, say(-ing), shew, X speaker, speech, talk, thing, + none of these things move me, tidings, treatise, utterance, word, work.]

d. perfect [5046 * teleios] [Strong: complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.); neuter (as noun, with 3588) completeness:--of full age, man, perfect.]

3. “…and able also to bridle the whole body.”

a. able [1415 * dunatos] [Strong: powerful or capable (literally or figuratively); neuter possible:--able, could, (that is) mighty (man), possible, power, strong.]

b. bridle [5468 * chalinagogeo; chalinos-a bridle; ago-to lead, direct, govern] [Strong: to be a bit-leader, i.e. to curb (figuratively):--bridle.]

c. whole  [3650 * holos] [Strong: a primary word; "whole" or "all", i.e. complete (in extent, amount, time or degree), especially (neuter) as noun or adverb:--all, altogether, every whit, + throughout, whole.]

d. body [4983 * soma] [Strong: the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively:--bodily, body, slave.]

1). World Outreach Church Daily Devotional 9/15/11 In the last part of this verse, James says, “If you can control your mouth, you can control your body and your entire nature.” That’s a strong statement. In verse 3 AMP, we learn more about the tongue: “If we set bits in the horses’ mouths to make them obey us, we can turn their whole bodies about.” Now, I’m not a horseman, but I know horses are too big to grab around the neck and pull around wherever you want. However, if you put a bit in a horse’s mouth, you can control the direction it goes. James continues: “Likewise, look at the ships: though they are so great and are driven by rough winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the impulse of the helmsman determines” (v. 4 AMP). Ships are big, and winds are strong. But when you control the rudder, you control where the ship goes. Think about it this way: A horse wants to go a particular direction by its own inner will. A ship has no will, but outside forces, such as wind and waves, try to drive it. So, putting a bit in a horse’s mouth and directing a ship by its rudder are examples of controlling inside desires and outside forces. Apply this to your life. No matter whether you face problems from within or forces from without, control your tongue and you’ll control your life.