James 3:8 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

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

No man - literally, no one of men: neither can a man control his neighbour's nor even his own tongue. Hence, the truth of James 3:2 appears.

Unruly evil, х akatastation (G182), akin to akatastasia (G181), James 3:16] - unstable, unquiet, and incapable of restraint. Nay, though nature has hedged it in with a double barrier, the lips and teeth, it bursts forth to assail and ruin men (Estius).

Deadly, х thanateeforou (G2287)] - death-bearing.

James 3:8

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