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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - James 3:5 - 3:5
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
A little member (mikron melos). Melos is old and common word for members of the human body (1Co 12:12, etc.; Rom 6:13, etc.).
Boasteth great things (megala auchei). Present active indicative of aucheō, old verb, here only in N.T. The best MSS. here separate megala from aucheō, though megalaucheō does occur in Aeschylus, Plato, etc. Megala is in contrast with mikron.
How much - how small (hēlikon - hēlikēn). The same relative form for two indirect questions together, “What-sized fire kindles what-sized forest?” For double interrogatives see Mar 15:24. The verb anaptei is present active indicative of anaptō, to set fire to, to kindle (Luk 12:49, only other N.T. example except some MSS. in Act 28:2). Hulēn is accusative case, object of anaptei, and occurs here only in N.T., though old word for forest, wood. Forest fires were common in ancient times as now, and were usually caused by small sparks carelessly thrown.