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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
The accommodation of the former similitudes.
The tongue is a little member, i.e. one of the lesser, in comparison of the body.
And boasteth great things; the Greek word signifies, according to its derivation, the lifting up of the neck (as horses, mentioned Jam_3:3, are wont to do in their pride) in a way of bravery and triumph; and hence it is used to express boasting and glorying, but here seems to imply something more, viz. not only the uttering big words, but doing great things, whether good and useful, as in the former similitudes, or evil, as in what follows; or its boasting how great things it can do: q.d. The tongue, though little, is of great force and efficacy, and it will tell you so itself; it not only boasts what its fellow members can do, but especially what itself can.
Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! Another similitude, in which he sets forth the evil the tongue, as little as it is, doth, where it is not well governed, as in the former he had shown the good it may do, when kept under rule.
A matter; the word signifies either any combustible stuff, or, as in the margin, wood, that being the ordinary fuel then in use.
A little fire kindleth; even a spark, the smallest quantity or particle, which may do great mischief, when lighting in suitable matter.