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.

[ Hee (G3588) gloossa (G1100) pur (G4442) ho (G3588) kosmos (G2889) tees (G3588) adikias (G93): 'the tongue, that world of iniquity, is a fire'] As man's little world is an image of the greater, the universe, so the tongue is an image of the former (Bengel).

So. Omitted in 'Aleph (') A B C, Vulgate.

Is, [ kathistatai (G2525)]. 'The tongue is constitued, among the members, the one which defileth, etc.-namely, as fire defiles with its smoke. Course of nature, [ ton (G3588) trochon (G5164) tees (G3588) geneseoos (G1078)] - 'the cycle of creation.'

Setteth on fire ... is set on fire - habitually, continually. While a man inflames others, he passes out of his own power, being consumed in the flame himself.

Of hell - Greek, 'Gehenna:' here only and Matthew 5:22. James has much in common with the sermon on the mount (Proverbs 16:27).

Continues after advertising
Continues after advertising