Paragraph 3:2–3

In this paragraph, James explained why teachers are in danger of being condemned at the Judgment. It is because the most difficult thing for a human being to control is what he says. If he can control what he says, he can control everything he does. James illustrated his point by a comparison with how a man controls a horse.

3:2a

Verse 3:2 is connected to 3:1 by a Greek conjunction that is often translated as “for” (as in the Revised Standard Version). Here it indicates that 3:2 is the basis for the warning in 3:1. Verse 3:2 also introduces the topic of speech. This topic applies to all people, not just to teachers.

Some versions are like the Berean Standard Bible and do not translate this conjunction.

We all: The phrase We all refers to all human beings. Here it does not just refer to teachers. Therefore, the word We includes James’ readers as well as James himself.

stumble: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as stumble is used figuratively. In this context of Christian believers, it refers to doing something wrong or sinning.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

sin
-or-
make many mistakes (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
do…wrong things (Contemporary English Version)

Here this word does not mean “physically slip and fall.” This word also occurs in 2:10b.

in many ways: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as in many ways can mean:

• “many times.” For example:

often (Good News Translation)

• “in many matters/ways.” For example:

in many ways (New Jerusalem Bible)

The choice of one of these meanings does not need to exclude the other. If someone sins many times, it is likely that he also sins in many matters. If he sins in many matters, he also sins often. If possible, translate this word in a way that can include both meanings.

3:2b

If anyone is never at fault in what he says: This clause means “if anyone never says anything wrong.” It is not clear whether or not James thought that there are such people. It is best to leave it open in your translation.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

But if a person never makes a mistake in what he says (Good News Translation)
-or-
If people never said anything wrong (New Century Version)
-or-
the person who never sins in his speech

is never at fault: The words is…at fault translate the same Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “stumble” earlier in the verse. If possible, use the same expression in both places. Here James was talking about sins such as slander, insults, angry words, lying, and cursing. These words do not refer to speaking when it is not one’s turn, or making grammatical mistakes.

3:2c

he: The pronoun he refers back to “anyone” in 3:2b. In some languages, it is more natural to use another word or phrase here. For example:

such a person

Depending on how you translated “anyone” in 3:2b, you may have to translate this word as “they,” “you,” or “we.”

is a perfect man: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as perfect also means “complete” or “mature” (Contemporary English Version).

This word also occurs in 1:4. There, the Berean Standard Bible translates it as “mature.”

3:2d

able to control his whole body: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to control is literally “to bridle” (as in the Revised Standard Version). For example:

able to bridle his whole body (English Standard Version)

This word refers to the way people control horses using rope or straps around the head and mouth. These straps are called a bridle. (See the illustration above.) The verb is also “bridle.” (For example, “He bridles his horse.”)

Here this word is a metaphor. James compared someone who is able to control his body to a horse that is bridled. They are similar in that both can be controlled. Both can be taught to obey.

This metaphor continues in 3:3a. So, if possible, you should translate the metaphor here. If it is not possible, you can translate the meaning without a metaphor. For example:

able to control the entire body (NET Bible)
-or-
able to restrain/manage his whole body

This same Greek word occurs in 1:26.

his whole body: The phrase his whole body refers to “a person’s entire being.” It refers to “everything that he does.” James was saying that if a person can bridle/control what he says, he will have no difficulty controlling what he does with the rest of his body. He can control everything he thinks and does.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

every part of his body (Revised English Bible)
-or-
everything he does (God’s Word)
-or-
every other part of his personality (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
control themselves in every other way (New Living Translation, 1996 edition)

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.