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◄ 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 oneamong 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 eviland full of deadly poison.

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

Amplified Bible
But no one can tame thehuman 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.

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.

Majority Text Translations

Majority Standard Bible
but no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, 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.…

Berean Standard Bible ·Download

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 tongueis 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 warwas in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yetwere they drawn swords.

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

full.

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

Psalm 58:4
Their poisonis like the poison of a serpent:they are like the deaf adderthat stoppeth her ear;

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

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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.

Study Bible

Book ◦ Chapter

but no man can tame the tongue.
The phrase highlights the inherent difficulty humans face in controlling their speech. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of human fallibility and the need for divine assistance. The tongue, representing speech, is a small part of the body but has a significant impact, as seen inJames 3:5-6, where it is compared to a small spark that can set a great forest on fire. The inability to tame the tongue underscores the need for spiritual discipline and reliance on the Holy Spirit, as seen inGalatians 5:22-23, where self-control is listed as a fruit of the Spirit. The tongue's untamable nature also reflects the fallen state of humanity, echoing the sentiments ofJeremiah 17:9 about the deceitfulness of the heart.

It is a restless evil,
This phrase suggests the tongue's constant potential for harm and its unpredictable nature. The term "restless" implies instability and a tendency towards mischief, similar to the description of the wicked inIsaiah 57:20, who are likened to a troubled sea. The tongue's restlessness can lead to gossip, slander, and falsehood, which are condemned throughout Scripture (Proverbs 6:16-19). The evil nature of the tongue is a reflection of the inner moral state, as Jesus taught inMatthew 12:34, where He stated that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.

full of deadly poison.
This metaphor emphasizes the destructive power of words, likening them to venom that can cause spiritual and relational death. The imagery of poison is used elsewhere in Scripture, such as inPsalm 140:3, where the wicked are described as having tongues as sharp as a serpent's. The deadly nature of the tongue's poison can lead to division and strife within the community, as warned against inProverbs 18:21, which states that death and life are in the power of the tongue. This phrase serves as a caution to believers to guard their speech and seek wisdom from above, as described inJames 3:17, which is pure, peaceable, and gentle.

Persons / Places / Events

1.James
The author of the epistle, traditionally identified as James, the brother of Jesus and a leader in the early Jerusalem church. He is known for his practical teachings on Christian living.

2.The Early Church
The context in which James wrote, addressing Jewish Christians scattered among the nations, dealing with issues of faith, works, and community living.

3.The Tongue
A metaphorical reference to human speech and communication, highlighting its potential for both good and harm.

Teaching Points

The Untamable Tongue
Despite human efforts, the tongue cannot be fully controlled by human strength alone. This highlights our need for divine assistance and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Restless Evil
The tongue is described as "restless," indicating its potential for constant activity and mischief. Believers must remain vigilant and intentional about their speech.

Full of Deadly Poison
Words can cause significant harm, akin to poison. Christians are called to be mindful of the impact their words can have on others and to strive for speech that heals rather than harms.

The Role of the Heart
The tongue reflects the condition of the heart. A transformed heart, aligned with God's will, will produce speech that honors Him.

Seeking God's Help
Recognizing our inability to tame the tongue on our own should drive us to seek God's help through prayer and reliance on the Holy Spirit.

Lists and Questions

Top 10 Lessons from James 3

In James 3:8, the tongue is called “untamable,” conflicting with other teachings on self-control (e.g., Galatians 5:23); how can both be true?

What is the meaning of James 3:8?

What does the Bible teach about controlling speech?

James 3:7 claims that “all kinds of animals... have been tamed by mankind,” yet many species remain untamed; is this factual or hyperbole?

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(8)But the tongue can no man tame; itis 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)

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 8. - It isan unruly evil; ratherrestless, readingἀκατάστατον (א, A, B) forἀκατάσχετον 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 inPhilippians 3:19 with Bishop Light-feet's note.Deadly (θανατηφόρος); here only in the New Testament. In the LXX. it is found inNumbers 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)