James 3:3
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
American King James Version (AKJV)
Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
American Standard Version (ASV)
Now if we put the horses bridles into their mouths that they may obey us, we turn about their whole body also.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
Now if we put bits of iron into horses' mouths so that they may be guided by us, we have complete control of their bodies.
Webster's Revision
Behold, we put bits in the mouths of horses, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
World English Bible
Indeed, we put bits into the horses' mouths so that they may obey us, and we guide their whole body.
English Revised Version (ERV)
Now if we put the horses' bridles into their mouths, that they may obey us, we turn about their whole body also.
Clarke's James 3:3 Bible Commentary
Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths - In order to show the necessity of regulating the tongue, to which St. James was led by his exhortation to them who wished to thrust themselves into the teacher's office, supposing, because they had the gift of a ready flow of speech, that therefore they might commence teachers of Divine things; he proceeds to show that the tongue must be bridled as the horse, and governed as the ships; because, though it is small, it is capable of ruling the whole man; and of irritating and offending others.
Barnes's James 3:3 Bible Commentary
Behold, we put bits in the horses" mouths ... - The meaning of this simple illustration is, that as we control a horse by the bit - though the bit is a small thing - so the body is controlled by the tongue. He who has a proper control over his tongue can govern his whole body, as he who holds a bridle governs and turns about the horse.
Wesley's James 3:3 Bible Commentary
3:3 We - That is, men.
