LISTEN
New American Standard Bible:
For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.
New Living Translation:
Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.
New King James Version:
For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.
New International Version:
We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.
Amplified Bible:
For we all stumble and sin in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says [never saying the wrong thing], he is a perfect man [fully developed in character, without serious flaws], able to bridle his whole body and rein in his entire nature
[taming his human faults and weaknesses]
.
Context:
The opening portion of James chapter three discusses the power and potential peril of the tongue. In verse two, he gives us an insight into human error and the lack of perfection among humanity.
Observations:
We all – every single person – stumble in many ways.
If anyone does not stumble in word or what he says, that person is perfect and really has no defect or flaw.
A perfect person is able to keep is entire body in check and free from making mistakes and errors.
Application:
We are given a picture of a perfect person – he never errors in what he says or does and is able to exert complete control over his entire body.
None of us are that perfect person, so we are blessed to be able to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to keep ourselves from evil.
