### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun ὕλη (hýlē, `{{G5208}}`) carries a primary meaning rooted in the natural world, referring to a "forest," "woodland," or "grove." From this literal sense, its semantic range extends by implication to "wood" or "timber" as a material. Crucially, it also signifies "fuel," specifically combustible material like wood, used for burning. In a broader philosophical context, particularly in ancient Greek thought, ὕλη could denote "matter" or "material" as the undifferentiated substance from which things are formed, often contrasted with "form" (μορφή). This latter sense, while less prominent in biblical usage, informs the potential for "matter" as a translation. The core idea is that of raw, often organic, material with inherent potential, whether for growth (as a forest) or for consumption (as fuel).
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ὕλη (hýlē, `{{G5208}}`) appears only once in the New Testament, found in the Epistle of James:
* [[James 3:5]]: "Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest (or, matter/fuel) a little fire kindles!"
In this singular occurrence, ὕλη is employed metaphorically. The immediate context is James's discourse on the destructive power of the tongue. The "little fire" (πῦρ, `{{G4442}}`) represents the tongue, and ὕλη represents the vast "fuel" or "combustible material" that this small spark can ignite. The imagery evokes a forest fire, where a tiny flame can consume an immense expanse of trees. Here, ὕλη clearly functions as "fuel" or "matter" that is capable of being set ablaze, symbolizing the vast array of destructive consequences that can emanate from uncontrolled speech. The choice of ὕλη powerfully underscores the widespread and devastating potential of the tongue's influence, likening it to a conflagration that consumes everything in its path.
### Related Words & Concepts
The provided definition notes that ὕλη (hýlē, `{{G5208}}`) is "perhaps akin to ξύλον (xylon)." Indeed, ξύλον (xylon, `{{G3586}}`) is a closely related term, meaning "wood," "tree," or "timber." While ξύλον typically refers to a single piece of wood or a tree, ὕλη often implies a collection of trees (a forest) or a larger mass of wood/fuel.
Other related concepts in the context of [[James 3:5]] include:
* πῦρ (pyr, `{{G4442}}`): "fire," which is the agent that consumes the ὕλη.
* γλῶσσα (glōssa, `{{G1100}}`): "tongue," the small member likened to the "little fire."
* κόσμος (kosmos, `{{G2889}}`): "world," as the tongue is described as "the world of iniquity" in [[James 3:6]], suggesting the pervasive nature of its destructive potential.
* φλόξ (phlox, `{{G5395}}`): "flame," another term for the destructive power of fire.
The metaphorical connection highlights the destructive potential inherent in seemingly small origins, a theme also explored in other biblical warnings against gossip, slander, and divisive speech.
### Theological Significance
The singular use of ὕλη (hýlē, `{{G5208}}`) in [[James 3:5]] carries profound theological and ethical significance. By likening the tongue's destructive power to a small fire igniting a vast forest (ὕλη), James emphasizes the immense scale of damage that can result from seemingly insignificant words. This passage serves as a stark warning about the moral responsibility associated with speech.
Theologically, this highlights:
1. **The Potency of Words:** Words are not inert; they possess a powerful, often destructive, capacity. The tongue, though small, can ignite "a forest" of evil, leading to widespread chaos, division, and sin.
2. **The Need for Self-Control:** The metaphor underscores the critical importance of spiritual discipline over one's speech. Just as a forest fire requires deliberate effort to contain, so too does the tongue require constant vigilance and the Spirit's restraint.
3. **The Pervasiveness of Sin:** The "forest" of ὕλη implies that the destructive potential of the tongue is not limited to isolated incidents but can spread widely, affecting communities, relationships, and even one's entire life course ([[James 3:6]]). This points to the pervasive nature of sin when unleashed through uncontrolled speech.
4. **Divine Judgment:** Implicit in the warning is the understanding that God holds individuals accountable for their words, as they have far-reaching consequences.
Thus, ὕλη, in this context, becomes a vivid symbol of the vast and vulnerable "matter" that human speech can ignite into a consuming blaze of sin and destruction, underscoring the urgent call to wisdom and holiness in communication.
### Summary
The Greek word ὕλη (hýlē, `{{G5208}}`) primarily denotes "forest" or "woodland," extending to "fuel" or "combustible matter." Its sole New Testament occurrence in [[James 3:5]] is highly significant, where it is used metaphorically to describe the vast "fuel" that a small spark (the tongue) can ignite, leading to a destructive "forest fire" of evil speech. Lexically related to ξύλον (xylon, `{{G3586}}`), meaning "wood" or "tree," ὕλη emphasizes a larger mass of material. Theologically, this usage underscores the profound and often devastating power of the tongue, highlighting the critical need for spiritual discipline and wisdom in speech to prevent widespread moral and relational devastation. The image of ὕλη being consumed by fire serves as a potent reminder that seemingly small actions, particularly words, can have immense and destructive consequences.
TRV