Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
In many things (polla). Accusative neuter plural either cognate with ptaiomen or accusative of general reference. On ptaiomen (stumble) see on James 2:10. James includes himself in this list of stumblers.
If not (ei-ou). Condition of first class with ou (not mh) negativing the verb ptaiei.
In word (en logw). In speech. The teacher uses his tongue constantly and so is in particular peril on this score.
The same (outov). "This one" (not o autov the same).
A perfect man (teleiov anhr). "A perfect husband" also, for anhr is husband as well as man in distinction from woman (gunh). The wife is at liberty to test her husband by this rule of the tongue.
To bridle the whole body also (xalinagwghsai kai olon to swma). See James 1:26 for this rare verb applied to the tongue (glwssan). Here the same metaphor is used and shown to apply to the whole body as horses are led by the mouth. The man follows his own mouth whether he controls the bridle therein (James 1:26) or someone else holds the reins. James apparently means that the man who bridles his tongue does not stumble in speech and is able also to control his whole body with all its passions. See Titus 1:11 about stopping people's mouths (epistomizw).
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
Romans 11:11
James 1:8
James 1:19
James 2:10
James 4:11
1 Peter 3:10
2 Peter 1:10
Jude 1:24
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