Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindles! (The image projected here by James is the picture of a vast forest in flames, all begun by the falling of a single spark.) 6 And the tongue is a fire (speaks of fire in a negative way, that which destroys), a world of iniquity (the tongue in some way is responsible for all the iniquity in the world): so is the tongue among our members (body members), that it defiles the whole body (constantly speaking in a negative way can bring about physical illness in the body), and sets on fire the course of nature (the tongue sets us on a particular path, and in this case the wrong path) and it is set on fire of hell.
“5 Even so the tongue is a little member (it is small, but it exerts a powerful influence), and boasts great things (responsible for great things, whether good or bad). The “mote” and “beam” are contrasted! The constant judging of others portrays the fact that we are much worse off than the one we are judging.) 4 Or how will you say to your brother, Let me pull out the mote out of your eye (the seriousness of setting ourselves up as judge, jury, and executioner) and, behold, a beam is in your own eye? (Once again draws attention to the fact that the person doing the judging is in far worse spiritual condition than the one being judged.) 5 You hypocrite (aptly describes such a person), first cast out the beam out of your own eye and then you shall see clearly to cast out the mote out of your brother’s eye (the very fact that we do not address ourselves, but rather others, portrays the truth that our personal situation is worse when we properly analyze ourselves, then, and only then, can we “see clearly” this is speaking of character assassination and not the correction of doctrine).”
“3 And why do you behold the mote that is in your brother’s eye (the Believer is not to be looking for fault or wrongdoing in the lives of fellow Believers), but consider not the beam that is in your own eye? (We have plenty in our own lives which need eliminating, without looking for faults in others.
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