James 3:2

James 3:2 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)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.
• New International Version (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.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.

Context of James 3:2

1Not many [of you] should become teachers [serving in an official teaching capacity], my brothers and sisters, for you know that we [who are teachers] will be judged by a higher standard [because we have assumed greater accountability and more condemnation if we teach incorrectly]. For we all stumble and sin in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says [never saying the wrong thing], he is a perfect man [fully developed in character, without serious flaws], able to bridle his whole body and rein in his entire nature [taming his human faults and weaknesses]. 3Now if we put bits into the horses’ mouths to make them obey us, we guide their whole body as well. 4And look at the ships. Even though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the impulse of the helmsman determines.

James 3:2 word by word

πολλὰ γὰρ πταίομεν ἅπαντες· εἴ τις ἐν λόγῳ οὐ πταίει, οὗτος τέλειος ἀνήρ, δυνατὸς χαλιναγωγῆσαι καὶ ὅλον τὸ σῶμα.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• in many thingsπολύςpolus polos · muchG4183
• we offendπταίωptaiō · to stumbleG4417
• allἅπαςhapas · allG537
• Ifεἰei · ifG1487
• any manτιςtis · oneG5100
• notοὐou · noG3756
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• wordλόγοςlogos · wordG3056
• the sameοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• a perfectτέλειοςteleios · perfectG5046
• manἀνήρanēr · manG435
• ableδυνατόςdunatos · ableG1415
• alsoκαίkai · andG2532
• to bridleχαλιναγωγέωchalinagōgeō · to bridleG5468
• the wholeὅλοςholos · allG3650
• bodyὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• bodyσῶμαsōma · bodyG4983

Cross-references for James 3:2

• 1 Kings 8:46“When they sin against You (for there is no man who does not sin) and You are angry with them and hand them over to the enemy, so that they are carried away captive to the enemy’s land, [whether] far away or near;
• 2 Chronicles 6:36“When they sin against You (for there is no man who does not sin) and You are angry with them and hand them over to an enemy, so that they take them away captive to a land far away or near,
• Proverbs 20:9Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart, I am pure from my sin?”
• Ecclesiastes 7:20Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who always does good and who never sins.
• Isaiah 64:6For we all have become like one who is [ceremonially] unclean [like a leper], And all our deeds of righteousness are like filthy rags; We all wither and decay like a leaf, And our wickedness [our sin, our injustice, our wrongdoing], like the wind, takes us away [carrying us far from God’s favor, toward destruction].
• Romans 3:10As it is written and forever remains written, “There is none righteous [none that meets God’s standard], not even one.
• Romans 7:21So I find it to be the law [of my inner self], that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good.
• Galatians 3:22But the Scripture has imprisoned everyone [everything—the entire world] under sin, so that [the inheritance, the blessing of salvation] which was promised through faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe [in Him and acknowledge Him as God’s precious Son].
• Galatians 5:17For the sinful nature has its desire which is opposed to the Spirit, and the [desire of the] Spirit opposes the sinful nature; for these [two, the sinful nature and the Spirit] are in direct opposition to each other [continually in conflict], so that you [as believers] do not [always] do whatever [good things] you want to do.
• 1 John 1:8If we say we have no sin [refusing to admit that we are sinners], we delude ourselves and the truth is not in us. [His word does not live in our hearts.]
• James 3:5In the same sense, the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See [by comparison] how great a forest is set on fire by a small spark!
• James 1:26If anyone thinks himself to be religious [scrupulously observant of the rituals of his faith], and does not control his tongue but deludes his own heart, this person’s religion is worthless (futile, barren).
• Psalms 34:13Keep your tongue from evil And your lips from speaking deceit.
• Proverbs 13:3The one who guards his mouth [thinking before he speaks] protects his life; The one who opens his lips wide [and chatters without thinking] comes to ruin.
• 1 Peter 3:10For, “The one who wants to enjoy life and see good days [good—whether apparent or not], Must keep his tongue free from evil and his lips from speaking guile (treachery, deceit).
• James 1:4And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.

Commentaries on James 3:2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2In many things we offend all - ̔· We all stumble or trip. Dr. Barrow very properly observes: "As the general course of life is called a way, and particular actions steps, so going on in a regular course of right action is walking uprightly; and acting amiss, tripping or stumbling." There are very few who walk so closely with God, and inoffensively with men, as never to stumble; and although it is the privilege of every follower of God to be sincere and…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2For in many things we offend all - We all offend. The word here rendered offend, means to stumble, to fall; then to err, to fail in duty; and the meaning here is, that all were liable to commit error, and that this consideration should induce men to be cautious in seeking an office where an error would be likely to do so much injury. The particular thing, doubtless, which the apostle had in his eye, was the peculiar liability to commit error, or to do…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2We all: The main concern of James is how the speech of church members affects their relationships with others (3:9–10, 14; 4:1–3).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. all--The Greek implies "all without exception": even the apostles. offend not--literally "stumbleth not": is void of offence or "slip" in word: in which respect one is especially tried who sets up to be a "teacher."Read the comment

Topics related to James 3:2

• Depravity of Man
• Perfection
• Speaking
• Words

In the dictionaries

• Word, The
• Course
• Governor
• Obey
• Offend
• Ought
• Sanctification
• Tame
• Bit and Bridle
• Busybody

Commentaries on James 3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings