James 3:8
New International Version
but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

New Living Translation
but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison.

English Standard Version
but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

Berean Standard Bible
but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

Berean Literal Bible
but no one of men is able to subdue the tongue; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

King James Bible
But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

New King James Version
But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

New American Standard Bible
But no one among mankind can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

NASB 1995
But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.

NASB 1977
But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.

Legacy Standard Bible
But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.

Amplified Bible
But no one can tame the human tongue; it is a restless evil [undisciplined, unstable], full of deadly poison.

Christian Standard Bible
but no one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

American Standard Version
but the tongue can no man tame; it is a restless evil, it is full of deadly poison.

Contemporary English Version
But our tongues get out of control. They are restless and evil, and always spreading deadly poison.

English Revised Version
but the tongue can no man tame; it is a restless evil, it is full of deadly poison.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Yet, no one can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil filled with deadly poison.

Good News Translation
But no one has ever been able to tame the tongue. It is evil and uncontrollable, full of deadly poison.

International Standard Version
but no one can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil filled with deadly poison.

Majority Standard Bible
but no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

NET Bible
But no human being can subdue the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

New Heart English Bible
But nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

Webster's Bible Translation
But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

Weymouth New Testament
But the tongue no man or woman is able to tame. It is an ever-busy mischief, and is full of deadly poison.

World English Bible
but nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
but no one of men is able to subdue the tongue—[it is] an unruly evil, full of deadly poison;

Berean Literal Bible
but no one of men is able to subdue the tongue; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

Young's Literal Translation
and the tongue no one of men is able to subdue, it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison,

Smith's Literal Translation
And the tongue none of men can tame; an ungovernable evil, full of deadly poison.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But the tongue no man can tame, an unquiet evil, full of deadly poison.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But no man is able to rule over the tongue, a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

New American Bible
but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

New Revised Standard Version
but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But the tongue no man can tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But the tongue no man is able to tame, this evil which is uncontrolled; It is full of deadly poison.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
but the tongue no man can tame; it is an unruly evil; it is full of deadly poison.

Godbey New Testament
but no one of men is able to tame the tongue; an incorrigible evil, full of deadly poison.

Haweis New Testament
but the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

Mace New Testament
but who could ever tame the tongue? arm'd with deadly poison, the mischief scorns restraint.

Weymouth New Testament
But the tongue no man or woman is able to tame. It is an ever-busy mischief, and is full of deadly poison.

Worrell New Testament
but the tongue no man can tame; a restless evil, full of deadly poison!

Worsley New Testament
but the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Taming the Tongue
7All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.…

Cross References
Proverbs 18:21
Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Matthew 12:34-37
You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. / The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure. / But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. ...

Proverbs 15:4
A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

Psalm 140:3
They sharpen their tongues like snakes; the venom of vipers is on their lips. Selah

Romans 3:13-14
“Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The venom of vipers is on their lips.” / “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”

Proverbs 12:18
Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Ephesians 4:29
Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.

Proverbs 21:23
He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.

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.

Proverbs 10:19
When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.

Psalm 52:2-4
Your tongue devises destruction like a sharpened razor, O worker of deceit. / You love evil more than good, falsehood more than speaking truth. Selah / You love every word that devours, O deceitful tongue.

Colossians 3:8
But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

Proverbs 13:3
He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.

Matthew 15:11
A man is not defiled by what enters his mouth, but by what comes out of it.”

Psalm 64:3
who sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows,


Treasury of Scripture

But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

an unruly.

James 3:6
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.

Psalm 55:21
The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.

Psalm 57:4
My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.

full.

Deuteronomy 32:33
Their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps.

Psalm 58:4
Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear;

Psalm 140:3
They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison is under their lips. Selah.

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Able Controlled Deadly Death Evil Full Human Mischief Nobody Poison Restless Subdue Tame Tongue Unresting Unruly Unsettled
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James 3
1. We are not rashly or arrogantly to reprove others;
5. but rather to bridle the tongue, a little member,
9. but a powerful instrument of much good, and great harm.
13. The truly wise are mild and peaceable, without envy and strife.














but no man
The phrase "but no man" underscores the universality of the challenge presented by the tongue. In the Greek, "oudeis anthrōpos" emphasizes the absolute nature of this statement—no human being, regardless of their wisdom or self-discipline, can fully control the tongue. This reflects the fallen nature of humanity, a theme consistent throughout Scripture, highlighting our need for divine intervention and grace.

can tame the tongue
The word "tame" in Greek is "damasai," which is often used in the context of subduing wild animals. This imagery suggests that the tongue, much like a wild beast, is inherently unruly and requires constant vigilance. The tongue's potential for harm is immense, and its control is beyond human capability alone, pointing to the necessity of the Holy Spirit's work in sanctification.

It is a restless evil
The term "restless" translates from the Greek "akatastaton," meaning unstable or disorderly. This conveys the idea that the tongue is perpetually active and unpredictable, capable of causing chaos and discord. The description of the tongue as "evil" aligns with the biblical understanding of sin's pervasive influence, reminding believers of the spiritual battle that takes place within our hearts and minds.

full of deadly poison
The imagery of "deadly poison" evokes the lethal potential of the tongue's words. In the ancient world, poison was a common metaphor for treachery and harm. This phrase serves as a stark warning of the destructive power of speech, which can wound and destroy relationships, reputations, and communities. It calls Christians to be mindful of their words, recognizing their potential to either build up or tear down.

(8) But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly (or, restless) evil, full of deadly poison.--Mortiferous, bringer of death, like a poisoned dart or arrow; and therefore most suggestive of envenomed flights at the fame of others. St. James does not mean that no one can tame his own tongue, for so he would hardly be responsible for its vagaries; and lower down it is written expressly, "these things ought not so to be." The hopeless savagery of the tongue, excelling the fury of wild beasts, must be that of the liar, the traducer, and blasphemer. (Comp. Psalms 140)

Verse 8. - It is an unruly evil; rather restless, reading ἀκατάστατον (א, A, B) for ἀκατάσχετον of Textus Receptus (C, K, L); Vulgate, inquietum malum (cf. James 1:8). The nominatives in this verse should be noticed: "The last words are to be regarded as a kind of exclamation, and are therefore appended in an independent construction" (Winer, p. 668). A restless evil! Full of deadly poison! Compare the abrupt nominative in Philippians 3:19 with Bishop Light-feet's note. Deadly (θανατηφόρος); here only in the New Testament. In the LXX. it is found in Numbers 18:22; Job 33:23; 4 Macc. 8:17, 24; 15:23. For the figure, cf. Psalm 140:3, "They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison is under their lips."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
but
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

no
οὐδεὶς (oudeis)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3762: No one, none, nothing.

man
ἀνθρώπων (anthrōpōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.

can
δύναται (dynatai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1410: (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.

tame
δαμάσαι (damasai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 1150: To tame, subdue, involving obedience and restraint. A variation of an obsolete primary of the same meaning; to tame.

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

tongue.
γλῶσσαν (glōssan)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1100: The tongue; by implication, a language.

[It is] a restless
ἀκατάστατον (akatastaton)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 182: Unsettled, unstable (though these are hardly strong enough equivalents), almost anarchic. Inconstant.

evil,
κακόν (kakon)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2556: Bad, evil, in the widest sense. Apparently a primary word; worthless, i.e. depraved, or injurious.

full
μεστὴ (mestē)
Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3324: Full, filled with. Of uncertain derivation.

of deadly
θανατηφόρου (thanatēphorou)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2287: Death-bringing, deadly. From thanatos and phero; death-bearing, i.e. Fatal.

poison.
ἰοῦ (iou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2447: Poison, rust; an arrow. Perhaps from eimi or hiemi; rust; also venom.


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NT Letters: James 3:8 But nobody can tame the tongue (Ja Jas. Jam)
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