Yakobus 3:1-2

The Power of the Tongue

3:1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, ¹  because you know that we will be judged more strictly. ²  3:2 For we all stumble ³  in many ways. If someone does not stumble ⁴  in what he says, ⁵  he is a perfect individual, ⁶  able to control the entire body as well.

[3:1]  ¹ tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:2.

[3:1]  ² tn Grk “will receive a greater judgment.”

[3:2]  ³ tn Or “fail.”

[3:2]  ⁴ tn Or “fail.”

[3:2]  ⁵ tn Grk “in speech.”

[3:2]  ⁶ tn The word for “man” or “individual” is ἀνήρ (anhr), which often means “male” or “man (as opposed to woman).” But it sometimes is used generically to mean “anyone,” “a person,” as here (cf. BDAG 79 s.v. 2).