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So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! (James 3:5)

So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.

After giving two examples of powerful objects that can be controlled by small objects, James brings it back around now to show how the horse and the ship can be compared to the tongue. When James talks about the horse and the ships, he talks about their power and then mentions how they are controlled by something small like a bit and a rudder. By James writing so also the tongue is a small member, he begins with how small it is first and then deals with the power of the tongue secondly. He argues from the lesser to the greater when dealing with the tongue. James says the tongue is a small organ of the body, and though the tongue is small, it can be most powerful when it is used.

We must make clear that the tongue is a gift from God and can be used aright to accomplish great things, like the great commission of proclaiming God’s Word, teaching, and making disciples. (Matt 28:19-20) “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” (Prov. 18:21) In other words, the tongue has the power to help or heal. If we are to safeguard our life, the tongue must be kept under control. “With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.” (Prov. 25:15) Endurance, tolerance, persistence, and mildness, though not easy to show when living in an unjust world, can soften even the hardest of hearts, who is in opposition to us, like the strong construction of bones. However, when the tongue is not kept under control, it can damage oneself and others. (Prov. 10:14; 17:4, 20; 21:6) James highlights that of all the ways the tongue can be used, it prominently loves more than others to boasts of great things. How often pride shows through by the words that one speaks of their great boasting. By nature, man’s heart is proud and expresses itself through the tongue and its boastful claims. Albert Barnes writes,

The design of the apostle is to illustrate the power and influence of the tongue. This may be done in a great many respects: and the apostle does it by referring to its boasting; to the effects which it produces, resembling that of fire, (James 3:6); to its untameableness, (James 3: 8-9); and to its giving utterance to the most inconsistent and incompatible (strange or odd) thoughts, James 3:9-10. The particular idea here is that the tongue seems to be conscious of its influence and power, and boasts largely of what it can do. The apostle means doubtless to convey the idea that it does not boast unjustly of its importance. It has all the influence in the world, for good or for evil, which it claims.[1]

See how great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!

James continues with his description of the tongue and tells his audience to see how great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire. Often when there are uncontrolled wildfires, they are often started by just a little spark or small fire that was not contained. In the same way, James says the tongue, though it is small, can cause great devastation with the words that come out of it. Through the tongue, children are destroyed by parent’s hurtful words and relationships broken because hateful things are spoken and can cause great destruction in the lives of others and in one’s own personal life. Albert Barnes writes,

The Greek word (ὕλη hulē) means a wood, forest, grove; and then firewood, fuel. This is the meaning here. The sense is that a very little fire is sufficient to ignite a large quantity of combustible materials, and that the tongue produces effects similar to that. A spark will kindle a lofty pile, and a word spoken by the tongue may set a neighborhood or a village ‘in a flame.’[2]

When we ponder what James is saying about the tongue, we might think, ‘he is going on a bit much. One illustration would have been fine.’ Yet, we need to remember that what he is saying applies to all Christians who are obligated to share God’s Word with unbelievers and more so to those seeking to be leaders, teachers within the church. As foremost in James’ mind are those involved in any kind of Christian teaching. The last 2,000 years have seen many power-hungry church leaders boasting, voicing self-centeredness, and even worship of the person. The Popes, cardinals, bishops, and other Protestant church leaders over the last 1,500 years have been some of the vilest, wicked, supposed men of God who have afflicted those they were supposed to be leading. They had no faith in God because they placed themselves above God. They believed that what their tongue uttered was equal to the Word of God. Just one self-centered spark from the mouth may be enough to set an entire ministry aflame.

[1] Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament: James to Jude, ed. Robert Frew (London: Blackie & Son, 1884–1885), 57.

[2] IBID, 57.