James 3:4

James 3:4 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
• New International Version (NIV)Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires.

Context of James 3:4

2For 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. 3Now if we put the horses’ bridles into their mouths that they may obey us, we turn about their whole body also. Behold, the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by rough winds, are yet turned about by a very small rudder, whither the impulse of the steersman willeth. 5So the tongue also is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire! 6And the tongue is a fire: the world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the wheel of nature, and is set on fire by hell.

James 3:4 word by word

ἰδοὺ καὶ τὰ πλοῖα, τηλικαῦτα ὄντα καὶ ὑπὸ ἀνέμων σκληρῶν ἐλαυνόμενα, μετάγεται ὑπὸ ἐλαχίστου πηδαλίου ὅπου ἡ ὁρμὴ τοῦ εὐθύνοντος βούλεται.¶Read the interlinear

• Beholdἰδούidou · look!G2400
• shipsπλοῖονploion · boatG4143
• alsoκαίkai · andG2532
• areεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• greatτηλικοῦτοςtēlikoutos tēlikautē · so greatG5082
• windsἄνεμοςanemos · windG417
• veryἐλάχιστοςelachistos · leastG1646

Cross-references for James 3:4

• Psalms 107:25For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, Which lifteth up the waves thereof.
• Jonah 1:4But Jehovah sent out a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.
• Matthew 8:24And behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the boat was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.
• Acts 27:14But after no long time there beat down from it a tempestuous wind, which is called Euraquilo:

Commentaries on James 3:4

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4Behold also the ships - This illustration is equally striking and obvious. A ship is a large object. It seems to be unmanageable by its vastness, and it is also impelled by driving storms. Yet it is easily managed by a small rudder; and he that has control of that, has control of the ship itself. So with the tongue. It is a small member as compared with the body; in its size not unlike the rudder as compared with the ship. Yet the proper control of the…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. Not only animals, but even ships. the governor listeth--literally, "the impulse of the steersman pleaseth." The feeling which moves the tongue corresponds with this.Read the comment

Topics related to James 3:4

• Helm
• Ship

In the dictionaries

• Course
• Governor
• Obey
• Offend
• Ought
• Tame
• Busybody
• List
• Ships and Boats
• Wind

Commentaries on James 3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings