Albert Barnes Commentary James 3:2

"For in many things we all stumble. If any stumbleth not in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also." — James 3:2 (ASV)

For in many things we offend all. We all offend. The word here rendered offend means to stumble, to fall, then to err, to fail in duty. The meaning here is that all were liable to commit error, and this consideration should induce men to be cautious in seeking an office where an error would be likely to cause so much injury.

The particular thing, undoubtedly, which the apostle had in mind was the peculiar liability to commit error, or to do wrong with the tongue. Of course, this liability is very great in an office where the very business is public speaking. If anywhere the improper use of the tongue will cause harm, it is in the office of a religious teacher. To show the danger of this, and the importance of caution in seeking that office, the apostle proceeds to show what harm the tongue is capable of causing.

If any man offend not in word—that is, in his speech, in the use of his tongue.

The same is a perfect man. He is perfect in the sense in which the apostle immediately explains himself: that he is able to keep every other member of his body in subjection. His object is not to represent the man as absolutely spotless in every sense, and as wholly free from sin, for he had himself just said that all offend in many things;

but the design is to show that if a man can control his tongue, he has complete dominion over himself, as much as a man has over a horse by the bit, or as a helmsman has over a ship if he has hold of the rudder. He is perfect in that sense: that he has complete control over himself and will not be liable to error in anything. The design is to show the important position which the tongue occupies, as governing the whole man. On the meaning of the word perfect, see Barnes's notes on Job 1:1.

And able also to bridle the whole body. This means to control his whole body, that is, every other part of himself, as a man does a horse by the bridle. The word rendered to bridle means to lead or guide with a bit, then to rein in, to check, to moderate, to restrain. A man always has complete government over himself if he has entire control of his tongue. It is that by which he gives expression to his thoughts and passions; and if that is kept under proper restraint, all the rest of his members are as easily controlled as the horse is by having the control of the bit.

Offend not in word (Proverbs 8:3).