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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

James 3:1–5

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
MY brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
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.
Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

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Reference depth

From verse 1

  1. 1 Timothy 1:7Rank 1 from verse 1
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    7Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

  2. Luke 12:47–48Rank 2 from verse 1
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    47And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

    48But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

  3. 1 Peter 5:3Rank 3 from verse 1
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    3Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

  4. 1 Corinthians 12:28Rank 4 from verse 1
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    28And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

  5. Matthew 23:13Rank 5 from verse 1
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    13¶ But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

From verse 2

  1. James 1:26Rank 1 from verse 2
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    26If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.

  2. Proverbs 13:3Rank 2 from verse 2
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    3He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

  3. 1 Peter 3:10Rank 3 from verse 2
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    10For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

  4. Matthew 12:37Rank 4 from verse 2
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    37For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

  5. Psalms 34:13Rank 5 from verse 2
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    13Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

From verse 3

  1. Psalms 32:9Rank 1 from verse 3
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    9Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.

  2. Psalms 39:1Rank 2 from verse 3
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    1I SAID, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.

  3. James 1:26Rank 3 from verse 3
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    26If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.

  4. 2 Kings 19:28Rank 4 from verse 3
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    28Because thy rage against me and thy tumult is come up into mine ears, therefore I will put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest.

  5. Isaiah 37:29Rank 5 from verse 3
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    29Because thy rage against me, and thy tumult, is come up into mine ears, therefore will I put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest.

From verse 4

  1. Matthew 8:24Rank 1 from verse 4
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    24And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.

  2. Acts 27:14–38Rank 2 from verse 4
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    14But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.

    15And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.

    16And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat:

    17Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven.

    18And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship;

    19And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.

    20And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.

    21But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.

    22And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship.

    23For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,

    24Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Cæsar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

    25Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

    26Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.

    27But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country;

    28And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.

    29Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.

    30And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship,

    31Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.

    32Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.

    33And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.

    34Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.

    35And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.

    36Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.

    37And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.

    38And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea.

  3. Psalms 107:25–27Rank 3 from verse 4
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    25For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.

    26They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.

    27They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end.

  4. Jonah 1:4Rank 4 from verse 4
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    4¶ But the Lord sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.

From verse 5

  1. Proverbs 18:21Rank 1 from verse 5
    Open

    21Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

  2. Jeremiah 9:3–8Rank 2 from verse 5
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    3And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the Lord.

    4Take ye heed every one of his neighbour, and trust ye not in any brother: for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbour will walk with slanders.

    5And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity.

    6Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the Lord.

    7Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts, Behold, I will melt them, and try them; for how shall I do for the daughter of my people?

    8Their tongue is as an arrow shot out; it speaketh deceit: one speaketh peaceably to his neighbour with his mouth, but in heart he layeth his wait.

  3. Proverbs 12:18Rank 3 from verse 5
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    18There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

  4. Proverbs 15:2Rank 4 from verse 5
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    2The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

  5. Psalms 17:10Rank 5 from verse 5
    Open

    10They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

James 3:1

COMBINED MEANING

brethren

↗

1. Persons of the same people, tribe, community, or shared service who are regarded or addressed as brothers. 2. Persons regarded as brothers by reason of faith or another spiritual relation. 3. Male siblings or other male relatives.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

knowing

↗

Sense 1: Perceiving, understanding, recognizing, or being acquainted with. Sense 2: Having knowledge or skill.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

shall

↗

An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

condemnation

↗

The act or sentence of declaring guilty and liable to judgment; the state, cause, or result of being condemned.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

James 3:2

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

offend

↗

Sense 1: To transgress, sin, or act wrongly against. Sense 2: To displease or scandalize; to cause oneself or another to stumble or fall into sin.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

word

↗

Sense 1: A spoken or written expression, saying, message, command, promise, report, or matter. Sense 2: God's revealed word.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

perfect

↗

Complete, whole, sound, mature, upright, fully fitted, finished, exact, or lacking nothing required for the person, work, knowledge, state, purpose, or standard in view; to perfect is to bring to that intended completion or maturity.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

able

↗

Having physical power sufficient; having competent power or strength, bodily or mental.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

bridle

↗

1. The bit, reins, or headgear used to guide and restrain an animal. 2. A means of restraint or control. 3. To restrain or control.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

body

↗

Sense 1: The material frame of a person or creature. Sense 2: A visible form, mass, or main substance. Sense 3: A unified whole or company composed of members. Sense 4: Substantial reality distinguished from a shadow.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

James 3:3

COMBINED MEANING

behold

↗

1. Used as an attention word or command directing someone to look at or take notice of the person, thing, statement, or event presented: look; see; take notice. 2. As a verb, to look upon, see, observe, or witness.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

put

↗

To place, set, lay, appoint, bring into a condition, or cause to be.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

bits

↗

Parts of a bridle put into horses' mouths to control and turn them.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

mouths

↗

Sense 1: The opening used for eating and speaking. Sense 2: An opening, edge, command, or testimony by extension.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

obey

↗

To hear with submission and do what is commanded; to comply with authority or instruction.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

us

↗

The first-person plural object pronoun, referring to the speaker together with one or more others as recipients or objects of an action or relation.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

turn

↗

Sense 1: To change direction, position, condition, purpose, or allegiance; to cause such a change. Sense 2: One’s time or occasion in an order or succession.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

about

↗

1. Around or near in place, position, or movement; on every side, in a circuit, from place to place, or turned from one direction or state toward another. 2. Approximately in number, measure, distance, or time. 3. Concerning, occupied with, or engaged in a matter. 4. On the point of, intending, or attempting an action.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

body

↗

Sense 1: The material frame of a person or creature. Sense 2: A visible form, mass, or main substance. Sense 3: A unified whole or company composed of members. Sense 4: Substantial reality distinguished from a shadow.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

James 3:4

COMBINED MEANING

behold

↗

1. Used as an attention word or command directing someone to look at or take notice of the person, thing, statement, or event presented: look; see; take notice. 2. As a verb, to look upon, see, observe, or witness.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

which

↗

1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

driven

↗

Past-participial form of drive: impelled, forced, urged, carried, or moved onward or away.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

winds

↗

Currents or movements of air; winds from named or differing directions.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

yet

↗

1. Up to or at the present or stated time; still. 2. At some future time. 3. Nevertheless; however. 4. In addition; further.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

turned

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of turn, meaning to change direction, position, condition, purpose, or allegiance; to cause such a change.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

about

↗

1. Around or near in place, position, or movement; on every side, in a circuit, from place to place, or turned from one direction or state toward another. 2. Approximately in number, measure, distance, or time. 3. Concerning, occupied with, or engaged in a matter. 4. On the point of, intending, or attempting an action.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

very

↗

Sense 1: Truly, actually, exactly, or the same in identity. Sense 2: To a great or marked degree, used to intensify the quality named.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

small

↗

1. Little or limited in size, amount, number, extent, strength, power, rank, or importance. 2. Fine or minute; broken or ground into small particles. 3. In “no small,” considerable or great. 4. In “small cattle,” sheep and goats, as distinguished from oxen or larger cattle.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

James 3:5

COMBINED MEANING

even

↗

1. Used to emphasize, include, or precisely identify what is meant: indeed, precisely, or namely. 2. Used to mark a boundary, endpoint, or full reach in place, time, or degree: up to, as far as, or through. 3. In ‘even as,’ ‘even so,’ and like constructions, just as, exactly so, or in the same manner. 4. The evening, or close of day. 5. Equal, level, identical, balanced, or uniform.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

tongue

↗

1. The organ of the mouth used for tasting and speech. 2. Speech, words, or a language. 3. A tongue-shaped projection or arm of land or water.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

member

↗

A limb or subordinate part of a body; an individual constituent belonging to a larger body.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

behold

↗

1. Used as an attention word or command directing someone to look at or take notice of the person, thing, statement, or event presented: look; see; take notice. 2. As a verb, to look upon, see, observe, or witness.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

fire

↗

Burning flame and heat that gives light, consumes, purifies, or destroys.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

FOLLOW THE THEME

Related Concepts

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READ BEFORE AND AFTER

Surrounding Verses

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1MY brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

Selected passage

2For 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.

Selected passage

3Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

Selected passage

4Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

Selected passage

5Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

Selected passage

6And 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.

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