James 3:2
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We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
all--The Greek implies "all without exception": even the apostles. offend not--literally "stumbleth not": is void of offence or "slip" in word: in which respect one is especially tried who sets up to be a "teacher."
Open source ↗The apostle here reproves ambition, and an arrogant magisterial tongue; and shows the duty and advantage of bridling it because of its power to do mischief. Those who profess religion ought especially to govern their tongues (Jam 3:1-12). True wisdom makes men meek, and avoiders of strife and envy: and hereby it may easily be distinguished from a wisdom that is earthly and hypocritical (Jam 3:13 to the end).
Open source ↗3:2 we all: James’s primary concern is with the speech of church members as they influence interpersonal relationships (3:9-10, 14; 4:1-3).
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless.
He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.
For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.
For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech.
Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin”?
Surely there is no righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.
As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one.
Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
When they sin against You—for there is no one who does not sin—and You become angry with them and deliver them to an enemy who takes them as captives to his own land, whether far or near,