YAC 3:6 Parallel Verse View

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Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) and the tongue is a fire producing a torrent of depravity. It’s a part of our physical body but capable of staining us all over and setting our worlds on fire, because the tongue itself is set on fire from hell.

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT The tongue represents also a fire, the world of unrighteousness. The tongue is placed among our members, the thing staining the whole body and setting the course of existence on fire, and it is set on fire by Gehenna.

UST Just as a fire burns a forest, when we say bad things, we hurt many people. What we say reveals that there is much evil within us. When we say bad things, this contaminates all that we think and do. It can ruin our whole life. It is Satan himself who influences us to speak what is evil.

BSB The tongue also [is] a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the [body]. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life {on fire}, and is itself set on fire by hell.[fn]

BLB The tongue also is a fire, the world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, defiling all the body, and setting on fire the course of nature, and itself being set on fire by Gehenna.

AICNT And the tongue is a fire. The world of unrighteousness, the tongue, is set among our members, staining the whole body and setting on fire the wheel of life, and is set on fire by Gehenna.

OEB And the tongue is like a spark. It is a world of unrighteousness among the parts of our body. It contaminates the whole body; it sets the whole course of our existence on fire, and is itself set on fire by the flames of Gehenna.

WEBBE And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity amongst our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna.[fn]

3:6 or, Hell

WMBB And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity amongst our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehinnom.[fn]

3:6 or, Hell

NET And the tongue is a fire! The tongue represents the world of wrongdoing among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the entire body and sets fire to the course of human existence – and is set on fire by hell.

LSV And the tongue [is] a fire, the world of the unrighteousness, so the tongue is set in our members, which is spotting our whole body, and is setting on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna.

FBV And the tongue is a fire! The tongue is a world of evil among the parts of the body. It disgraces all you are as a person, and can burn down the whole of your life, since it is set on fire by Gehenna.[fn]

3:6 Gehenna: the trash dump outside of Jerusalem where fires were used to burn the trash. The word is used symbolically as the endpoint for the wicked.

TCNT And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of unrighteousness, staining the entire body, setting the course of life on fire, and itself being set on fire by hell.

T4T Just like a fire damages a forest [MET], when we say things that are evil, we harm many people. What we say [MTY] reveals that we are very evil. What we say contaminates/defiles everything that we think and do [PRS, MET]. Just like a flame of fire easily causes the whole surrounding area [MET] to burn, what we say [MTY] can cause others to want to do evil. It is the devil himself [MTY] who causes us to say evil things.

LEB And the tongue is a fire! The world of unrighteousness,[fn] the tongue, is set among our members, defiling the whole body and setting on fire _⌊the course of human existence_⌋[fn], being set on fire by hell.

3:6 Or “a fire, the world of unrighteousness! The tongue is set among our members”

3:6 Literally “the wheel of origin”

BBE And the tongue is a fire; it is the power of evil placed in our bodies, making all the body unclean, putting the wheel of life on fire, and getting its fire from hell.

Moff And the tongue is a fire, the tongue proves a very world of mischief among our members, staining the whole of the body and setting fire to the round circle of existence with a flame fed by hell.

Wymth And the tongue is a fire. That world of iniquity, the tongue, is placed within us spotting and soiling our whole nature, and setting the whole round of our lives on fire, being itself set on fire by Gehenna.

ASV And the tongue is a fire: the world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the wheel of nature, and is set on fire by hell.

DRA And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is placed among our members, which defileth the whole body, and inflameth the wheel of our nativity, being set on fire by hell.

YLT and the tongue [is] a fire, the world of the unrighteousness, so the tongue is set in our members, which is spotting our whole body, and is setting on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by the gehenna.

Drby and the tongue [is] fire, the world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set in our members, the defiler of the whole body, and which sets fire to the course of nature, and is set on fire of hell.

RV And the tongue is a fire: the world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the wheel of nature, and is set on fire by hell.
(And the tongue is a fire: the world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defileth/defiles the whole body, and setteth on fire the wheel of nature, and is set on fire by hell. )

SLT (And the tongue a fire, a world of iniquity: so the tongue is placed in our members, defiling the whole body, and burning the wheel of creation; and burned by hell.

Wbstr And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire from hell.

KJB-1769 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
(And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth/defiles the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. )

KJB-1611 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquitie: so is the tongue amongst our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature, and it is set on fire of hell.
(And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue amongst our members, that it defileth/defiles the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature, and it is set on fire of hell.)

Bshps And the tongue is fyre, euen a worlde of wickednesse. So is the tongue set among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fyre the course of nature, & it is set on fyre of hell.
(And the tongue is fire, even a world of wickedness. So is the tongue set among our members, that it defileth/defiles the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature, and it is set on fire of hell.)

Gnva And the tongue is fire, yea, a worlde of wickednesse: so is the tongue set among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature, and it is set on fire of hell.
(And the tongue is fire, yea, a world of wickedness: so is the tongue set among our members, that it defileth/defiles the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature, and it is set on fire of hell. )

Cvdl and the tonge is fyre, and a worlde of wyckednes. So is the tonge set amonge oure membres, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth a fyre all that we haue of nature, and is it selfe set a fyre euen of hell.
(and the tongue is fire, and a world of wyckednes. So is the tongue set among our membres, that it defileth/defiles the whole body, and setteth a fire all that we have of nature, and is itself set a fire even of hell.)

TNT and the tonge is fyre and a worlde of wyckednes. So is the tonge set amonge oure members that it defileth the whole body and setteth a fyre all that we have of nature and is it selfe set a fyre even of hell.
(and the tongue is fire and a world of wyckednes. So is the tongue set among our members that it defileth/defiles the whole body and setteth a fire all that we have of nature and is itself set a fire even of hell. )

Wycl And oure tunge is fier, the vniuersite of wickidnesse. The tunge is ordeyned in oure membris, which defoulith al the bodi; and it is enflawmed of helle, and enflawmeth the wheel of oure birthe.
(And our tongue is fire, the uniuersite of wickedness. The tongue is ordained in our membris, which defileth/defiles all the body; and it is enflawmed of hell, and enflawmeth the wheel of our birth.)

Luth Und die Zunge ist auch ein Feuer, eine Welt voll Ungerechtigkeit. Also ist die Zunge unter unsern Gliedern und befleckt den ganzen Leib und zündet an allen unsern Wandel, wenn sie von der Hölle entzündet ist.
(And the tongue is also a fire(n), a/one world full/whole injustice. So is the tongue under ours limbsn and stained/tainted(aj) the entire body and zündet at/to all/everyone ours change(n), when they/she/them from the/of_the hell inflamed/sore is.)

ClVg Et lingua ignis est, universitas iniquitatis. Lingua constituitur in membris nostris, quæ maculat totum corpus, et inflammat rotam nativitatis nostræ inflammata a gehenna.[fn]
(And tongue/language fire it_is, of_the_universe/all_togethertas iniquity. Lingua establishedur in/into/on members ours, which blemish/staint whole body, and inflammat rotam birth our inflammata from gehenna. )

3.6 Universitas iniquitatis. Universitatem dicit, quia per eam cuncta fere facinora, aut concinantur, ut latrocinia, stupra: aut patrantur, ut perjuria, falsa testimonia: aut defenduntur, ut cum quilibet impurus excusando scelus quod admisit, simulat bonum quod non fecit. Quæ maculat totum corpus. Et quia talis est lingua totum corpus maculat, et immundum facit reputari in conspectu Dei, et ideo grave est subire magisterium: quia constituitur in membris nostris, una est de membris nostris, nimis propinqua nobis. Inflammat rotam, etc. BED. Contaminat totum procursum vitæ temporalis, etc., usque ad per cætera membra ad effectum perducere cogit.

3.6 Universitas iniquity. Universitatem he_says, because through her everything almost facinora, or concinantur, as latrocinia, stupra: or patrantur, as peryuria, false evidence: or defenduntur, as when/with anyone/anything impurus excusando crime that admitted, at_the_same_timeat good that not/no he_did. Which blemish/staint whole body. And because such it_is tongue/language whole body blemish/staint, and unclean/impure he_does reputari in/into/on in_sight of_God, and therefore/for_that_reason grave it_is subire teacherium: because establishedur in/into/on members ours, together it_is from/about members ours, too_much propinqua us. Inflammat rotam, etc. BED. Contaminat whole procursum of_life temporal, etc., until to through the_rest members to effectum to_lead forces.

UGNT καὶ ἡ γλῶσσα πῦρ, ὁ κόσμος τῆς ἀδικίας; ἡ γλῶσσα καθίσταται ἐν τοῖς μέλεσιν ἡμῶν, ἡ σπιλοῦσα ὅλον τὸ σῶμα, καὶ φλογίζουσα τὸν τροχὸν τῆς γενέσεως, καὶ φλογιζομένη ὑπὸ τῆς Γεέννης.
(kai haʸ glōssa pur, ho kosmos taʸs adikias; haʸ glōssa kathistatai en tois melesin haʸmōn, haʸ spilousa holon to sōma, kai flogizousa ton troⱪon taʸs geneseōs, kai flogizomenaʸ hupo taʸs Geʼennaʸs.)

SBL-GNT καὶ ἡ γλῶσσα πῦρ, ὁ κόσμος τῆς ⸀ἀδικίας ἡ γλῶσσα καθίσταται ἐν τοῖς μέλεσιν ἡμῶν, ἡ σπιλοῦσα ὅλον τὸ σῶμα καὶ φλογίζουσα τὸν τροχὸν τῆς γενέσεως καὶ φλογιζομένη ὑπὸ τῆς γεέννης.
(kai haʸ glōssa pur, ho kosmos taʸs ⸀adikias haʸ glōssa kathistatai en tois melesin haʸmōn, haʸ spilousa holon to sōma kai flogizousa ton troⱪon taʸs geneseōs kai flogizomenaʸ hupo taʸs geʼennaʸs.)

RP-GNT Καὶ ἡ γλῶσσα πῦρ, ὁ κόσμος τῆς ἀδικίας· οὕτως ἡ γλῶσσα καθίσταται ἐν τοῖς μέλεσιν ἡμῶν, ἡ σπιλοῦσα ὅλον τὸ σῶμα, καὶ φλογίζουσα τὸν τροχὸν τῆς γενέσεως, καὶ φλογιζομένη ὑπὸ τῆς γεέννης.
(Kai haʸ glōssa pur, ho kosmos taʸs adikias; houtōs haʸ glōssa kathistatai en tois melesin haʸmōn, haʸ spilousa holon to sōma, kai flogizousa ton troⱪon taʸs geneseōs, kai flogizomenaʸ hupo taʸs geʼennaʸs.)

TC-GNT Καὶ ἡ γλῶσσα πῦρ, ὁ κόσμος τῆς ἀδικίας· [fn]οὕτως ἡ γλῶσσα καθίσταται ἐν τοῖς μέλεσιν ἡμῶν, ἡ σπιλοῦσα ὅλον τὸ σῶμα, καὶ φλογίζουσα τὸν τροχὸν τῆς γενέσεως, καὶ φλογιζομένη ὑπὸ τῆς γεέννης.
(Kai haʸ glōssa pur, ho kosmos taʸs adikias; houtōs haʸ glōssa kathistatai en tois melesin haʸmōn, haʸ spilousa holon to sōma, kai flogizousa ton troⱪon taʸs geneseōs, kai flogizomenaʸ hupo taʸs geʼennaʸs. )

3:6 ουτως ¦ — CT

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 3:1–12: Believers must be careful what they say

In this section, James warned believers to be careful with their speech. When believers do not control what they say, it can have a devastating, evil impact. This was an especially serious danger for those who taught others in the church. James reinforced his warning with a series of comparisons or illustrations to show how important it is that Christians control their speech.

Introduction

3:1–2a: Becoming a teacher in the church is a serious thing to do

The tongue is compared to small things which have large effects

3:2b–3	A small bit can turn a horse
3:4–5c	A small rudder can turn a sailing ship
3:5d–6	A small fire can destroy much
3:7–8	Animals can be tamed but not our tongues

Each of us should be consistent in using our tongue for good

3:9–10	The tongue should not be used for both blessing and cursing
3:11	Springs produce one kind of water
3:12	Trees produce one kind of fruit

Some other possible headings for this section are:

We must control our speechTranslator’s Handbook on James, page 100.

Controlling the things we say (NCV)

Paragraph 3:5c–6

Many versions begin a new paragraph in the middle of 3:5.

This paragraph illustrates the power of the tongue by comparing it with a small fire.

3:6

In 3:6, James applied the illustration of 3:5c–d to the tongue. Like a fire, the tongue can be destructive.

In this verse, James made a general statement that applies to everyone. Some languages make general statements in other ways. For example:

A person’s tongue

Your tongues

Our tongues

3:6a

The tongue also is a fire,

A person’s tongue is like a fire.
Similarly, the words that we^(incl) say with our tongues/mouths are as dangerous/harmful as a fire.
A fire destroys things, and the mouth is also like that.

The tongue also is a fire: The clause The tongue also is a fire is a metaphor. In this metaphor, the tongue is compared to a fire. Some ways that they are similar are that both can destroy things and cannot be controlled.

In some languages, a literal translation of this metaphor may be difficult to understand. Some other ways to translate it are:

Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:
the tongue is like a fire (GNT)
Change the metaphor to a simile and make explicit the way that they are similar. For example:
the tongue can destroy like a fire
the words that the tongue says are like a fire because they can destroy
The words that we say with our tongue/mouth can cause much harm just like a fire can cause much harm

also: The word also indicates that, in addition to ordinary fires, there is another thing that has characteristics similar to a fire. It is the tongue.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

too

as well

similarly

3:6b

a world of wickedness among the parts of the body.

It is the part of the body that is very evil.
Among the parts of the body, the tongue/mouth has great, evil power.

Some versions begin a new sentence here. For example:

It is a world… (GNT)

a world of wickedness: The phrase that the BSB translates as a world of wickedness means that the tongue can do much evil.Differences of interpretation regarding the meaning of “world of evil” are reflected in English versions and discussed at length in commentaries. The two main views are:(1) “world” is used in the common biblical sense of the evil world-system that includes all that opposes God and his ways, and(2) “world” is used as sort of a metaphor for something huge that contains all sorts of things.According to interpretation (1), James was saying that the tongue is the part of our body that has the greatest tendency to serve the evil world-system that is opposed to God. According to interpretation (2), James was highlighting the tongue’s great capacity for all sorts of evil. The majority of English versions (which translate in a way similar to “the tongue … is a world of evil”) will be understood to follow interpretation (2). The majority of commentators (including Davids, page 142; Johnson, page 259; Laws, pages 149–150; Moo (2000), page 157; McCartney, page 187; Mitton, pages 126–127; Mayor, pages 114–115, Martin, page 114; SSA, pages 96–97; Translator’s Handbook, page 109) favor interpretation (1). They argue that this sense of “world” is common to the Bible and particularly to James, while the meaning of “world” according to interpretation (2) is extremely rare. The definite article “the” preceding “world,” they say, also supports understanding “world” in its common and specific sense as the evil world system.In the notes, we have chosen not to present this as an interpretation issue for the following reasons:a) the difference between the two interpretations is slight when one considers the meaning of the metaphor: the tongue has great capacity for evil.b) Many languages do not use the word “world” in a figurative sense to mean what is suggested for either interpretation (1) or (2). So giving translation models for each that do not use the word “world” is quite difficult.c) The idea that the tongue “represents” the evil world (as some would translate interpretation (1), see REB, for example) and the idea that the tongue is a huge sphere/realm where evil takes place are both quite abstract. We preferred to present a more concrete and simple model for translation. Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

it is very, very evil

It is an evil power (CEV)

it is against God

among the parts of the body: James was comparing the tongue with the other parts of the body, like the nose, fingers, and legs. He said that it was the tongue that was causing the trouble.

Some languages do not have a general word or expression for “part of the body.” Another way to translate this word is:

in our bodies

3:6c

It pollutes the whole person,

It contaminates/dirties a person’s whole body/being.
The tongue/mouth can spread evil throughout our^(incl) entire soul/heart.

It pollutes: The Greek word that the BSB translates as pollutes literally means “stains.” Here it is used in a figurative sense to refer to the tongue’s negative, evil effects on a person’s inner character.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

it corrupts (NIV)

it completely contaminates (GW)

It stains (NRSV)

It can poison (JBP)

and spreading evil (GNT)

it makes dirty

A related Greek word that the BSB translates as “polluted” occurs in 1:27c.

the whole person: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as the whole person is literally “all the body.” In this context, it is referring to the inner, moral being of the person, including his thoughts and emotions.

Some other ways to translate this are:

the whole body

all the parts of your being

the whole inner being

3:6d

sets the course of his life on fire,

It causes his whole life to burn up
It can destroy our^(incl) whole life.

sets the course of his life on fire: This clause is another description of the destructive power of the tongue. Here, James again used the metaphor of fire.

There are two main ways to interpret this clause:

It refers to a person’s entire existence from birth to death. According to this interpretation, the evils of a person’s tongue have a destructive effect on every part of his life.Huther, page 157; Mayor, page 113; Mitton, page 128; Hiebert, pages 217–218; Laws, page 150; Davids (1982), page 143; Moo (1985), page 125; Martin, page 115. For example, the CEV says:
sets a person’s entire life on fire (BSB, NIV, GNT, NET, REB, NASB, NLT, CEV, NCV, GW, ESV)
It refers to the events of nature, for example, from one season to the next. According to this interpretation, the evils of a person’s tongue have a destructive effect on the whole created world.Alford, page 306; Ropes, page 235. For example, the RSV says:
the cycle of nature (KJV, RSV, NJB)

From the general context of James’ letter, it seems that he is concerned with relationships between human beings, not the rest of the created world. This is the view of the majority of commentators. Therefore it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

There are at least two ways to translate this clause:

Keep the metaphor. For example:
sets a person’s entire life on fire (CEV)
burns every aspect of his life
turns his whole life to ashes
Translate the meaning without keeping the figure of speech. For example:
ruins the whole life of a person
is able to destroy his entire life

3:6e

and is itself set on fire by hell.

with fire that comes from hell.
It is like the fire of hell is in/on it.
Hell has given it this power.

and is itself set on fire by hell: The pronoun itself refers to the tongue. The tongue gets its fire from hell. Hell is the source of the tongue’s destructive fire/power. This implies that hell has given to the tongue the power to ruin lives.

This clause does not mean that the tongue itself is burned or destroyed.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

and it is as if the fire of hell is in it

with flames that come from hell itself (CEV)

and it gets its power to destroy from hell itself

by hell: The Greek word that the BSB translates as hell refers to the place where Satan, his demons, and ungodly people will be punished after the final Day of Judgment.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

eternal fire

the place of unending fire

Satan

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

καὶ ἡ γλῶσσα πῦρ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί ἡ γλῶσσα πῦρ ὁ κόσμος τῆς ἀδικίας ἡ γλῶσσα καθίσταται ἐν τοῖς μέλεσιν ἡμῶν ἡ σπιλοῦσα ὅλον τό σῶμα καί φλογίζουσα τόν τροχόν τῆς γενέσεως καί φλογιζομένη ὑπό τῆς Γεέννης)

James is using the tongue to represent what people say, by association with the way the tongue is used for speech. Alternate translation: [What we say is also a fire]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

καὶ ἡ γλῶσσα πῦρ

James is using fire as an analogy for the destructive effects of what people say. Alternate translation: [What we say can also be very destructive]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

ὁ κόσμος τῆς ἀδικίας

the world ¬the ˱of˲_unrighteousness

This is an idiom. The sense is that all the unrighteousness in the world could be expressed in what someone said. Alternate translation: [a vast source of unrighteousness]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

τῆς ἀδικίας

¬the ˱of˲_unrighteousness

If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind the abstract noun unrighteousness with an equivalent expression. In this context, the term refers to wrong things that people say. Alternate translation: [of sinful sayings]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

καθίσταται ἐν

˓is_being˒_set_down among

If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this with an active verbal form. Alternate translation: [is in the middle of]

τοῖς μέλεσιν ἡμῶν

the members ˱of˲_us

Alternate translation: [the other parts of our body]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

σπιλοῦσα ὅλον τὸ σῶμα

staining all (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί ἡ γλῶσσα πῦρ ὁ κόσμος τῆς ἀδικίας ἡ γλῶσσα καθίσταται ἐν τοῖς μέλεσιν ἡμῶν ἡ σπιλοῦσα ὅλον τό σῶμα καί φλογίζουσα τόν τροχόν τῆς γενέσεως καί φλογιζομένη ὑπό τῆς Γεέννης)

James speaks of the effects of speech as if a person’s tongue were staining his body. Alternate translation: [making the whole body impure]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

σπιλοῦσα ὅλον τὸ σῶμα

James is using the body to represent the entire person, since he is saying in this verse that bad speech has morally corrupting effects. Alternate translation: [making the whole person morally corrupt]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

φλογίζουσα τὸν τροχὸν τῆς γενέσεως

setting_on_fire (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί ἡ γλῶσσα πῦρ ὁ κόσμος τῆς ἀδικίας ἡ γλῶσσα καθίσταται ἐν τοῖς μέλεσιν ἡμῶν ἡ σπιλοῦσα ὅλον τό σῶμα καί φλογίζουσα τόν τροχόν τῆς γενέσεως καί φλογιζομένη ὑπό τῆς Γεέννης)

The course of existence is an idiom that could refer to: (1) a person’s entire life, from birth to death. Alternate translation: [setting a person’s entire life on fire] (2) succeeding generations. Alternate translation: [setting on fire one generation of people after another]

Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

φλογίζουσα τὸν τροχὸν τῆς γενέσεως

James is speaking of the destructive effects of bad speech as if they were setting a person’s life on fire. Alternate translation: [causing destruction throughout a person’s entire life]

Note 10 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

φλογιζομένη ὑπὸ τῆς Γεέννης

˓being˒_set_on_fire (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί ἡ γλῶσσα πῦρ ὁ κόσμος τῆς ἀδικίας ἡ γλῶσσα καθίσταται ἐν τοῖς μέλεσιν ἡμῶν ἡ σπιλοῦσα ὅλον τό σῶμα καί φλογίζουσα τόν τροχόν τῆς γενέσεως καί φλογιζομένη ὑπό τῆς Γεέννης)

If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this with an active verbal form. Alternate translation: [Gehenna sets it on fire]

Note 11 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

φλογιζομένη ὑπὸ τῆς Γεέννης

James continues to speak of the destructive effects of bad speech as if they were fire. Alternate translation: [its destructive effects come from Gehenna]

Note 12 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

τῆς Γεέννης

¬the ¬the ¬the Gehenna

James is using Gehenna, where refuse was thrown and fires burned continually, to mean hell. Alternate translation: [hell]

Note 13 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

τῆς Γεέννης

¬the ¬the ¬the Gehenna

Since hell, as a location, would not be able to influence people’s speech and conduct, James is likely using the name Gehenna to mean the devil by association. Alternate translation: [the devil]

Parallel YAC 3:6

Section 3:1–12: Believers must be careful what they say

Paragraph 3:5c–6

3:6

3:6a

3:6b

3:6c

3:6d

3:6e