James 3:3

3. Behold Of all these instruments of good or evil St. James considers the tongue as the most efficient and often over-efficient. He sets this in the strongest light by putting, by striking images, the vivid contrast between its small magnitude and its great power. Two of these images (James 3:3-4) are now presented to the talkative synagogue. By the bridleth of the last verse is expressed the control of the will over the tongue; but here the bits represent the tongue itself, wherewith we control every thing else.

Whole body As a horseman with bits turns the whole horse, so a speaker with a persuasive tongue will turn a whole man, nay, a whole body of men. The tongue of the eloquent orator turns whole assemblies, and controls the destinies of States. And so the tongue of the wily errorist may turn a whole Church, may introduce a strange doctrine, or establish a new sect. And so the unrestrained tongues of a synagogue may raise a great buzz, and produce disorder and every evil work. Hence the importance of Church unity under the control of apostolic teaching.