{A little member} (mikron melos). Melos is old and common
word for members of the human body ( 1Co 12:12, etc.  Ro 6:13 ,
etc.). {Boasteth great things} (megala auchei). Present active
indicative of auche(935c), old verb, here only in N.T. The best MSS.
here separate megala from auche(935c), though megalauche(935c) does
occur in Aeschylus, Plato, etc. Megala is in contrast with
mikron. {How much--how small} (h(886c)ikon--h(886c)ik(886e)). The same
relative form for two indirect questions together, "What-sized
fire kindles what-sized forest?" For double interrogatives see
 Mr 15:24 . The verb anaptei is present active indicative of
anapt(935c), to set fire to, to kindle ( Lu 12:49 , only other N.T.
example except some MSS. in  Ac 28:2 ). Hul(886e) is accusative
case, object of anaptei, and occurs here only in N.T., though
old word for forest, wood. Forest fires were common in ancient
times as now, and were usually caused by small sparks carelessly
thrown.