James 3:3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.

◄ James 3:3 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.

English Standard Version
If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.

New American Standard Bible
Now if we put the bits into the horses' mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well.

King James Bible
Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Now when we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we also guide the whole animal.

International Standard Version
Now if we put bits into horses' mouths to make them obey us, we can guide their whole bodies as well.

American Standard Version
Now if we put the horses bridles into their mouths that they may obey us, we turn about their whole body also.

Douay-Rheims Bible
For if we put bits into the mouths of horses, that they may obey us, and we turn about their whole body.

Darby Bible Translation
Behold, we put the bits in the mouths of the horses, that they may obey us, and we turn round their whole bodies.

Young's Literal Translation
lo, the bits we put into the mouths of the horses for their obeying us, and their whole body we turn about;

Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

3:1-12 We are taught to dread an unruly tongue, as one of the greatest evils. The affairs of mankind are thrown into confusion by the tongues of men. Every age of the world, and every condition of life, private or public, affords examples of this. Hell has more to do in promoting the fire of the tongue than men generally think; and whenever men's tongues are employed in sinful ways, they are set on fire of hell. No man can tame the tongue without Divine grace and assistance. The apostle does not represent it as impossible, but as extremely difficult. Other sins decay with age, this many times gets worse; we grow more froward and fretful, as natural strength decays, and the days come on in which we have no pleasure. When other sins are tamed and subdued by the infirmities of age, the spirit often grows more tart, nature being drawn down to the dregs, and the words used become more passionate. That man's tongue confutes itself, which at one time pretends to adore the perfections of God, and to refer all things to him; and at another time condemns even good men, if they do not use the same words and expressions. True religion will not admit of contradictions: how many sins would be prevented, if men would always be consistent! Pious and edifying language is the genuine produce of a sanctified heart; and none who understand Christianity, expect to hear curses, lies, boastings, and revilings from a true believer's mouth, any more than they look for the fruit of one tree from another. But facts prove that more professors succeed in bridling their senses and appetites, than in duly restraining their tongues. Then, depending on Divine grace, let us take heed to bless and curse not; and let us aim to be consistent in our words and actions.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

3. Behold—The best authorities read, "but if," that is, Now whensoever (in the case) of horses (such is the emphatic position of "horses" in the Greek) we put the bits (so literally, "the customary bits") into their mouths that they may obey us, we turn about also their whole body. This is to illustrate how man turns about his whole body with the little tongue. "The same applies to the pen, which is the substitute for the tongue among the absent" [Bengel].