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 offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. 3Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 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. 5Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of 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

• Beholdὁράωhoraō · to see: seeG3708
• alsoκαίkai · andG2532
• the shipsὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the shipsπλοῖονploion · boatG4143
• which thoughεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• so greatτηλικοῦτοςtēlikoutos tēlikautē · so greatG5082
• drivenἐλαύνωelaunō · to driveG1643
• ofὑπόhupo · by/under: byG5259
• fierceσκληρόςsklēros · hardG4642
• windsἄνεμοςanemos · windG417
• yet are they turned aboutμετάγωmetagō · to turnG3329
• a very smallἐλάχιστοςelachistos · leastG1646
• helmπηδάλιονpēdalion · rudderG4079
• whithersoeverὅπουhopou · where(-ever)G3699
• whithersoeverἄνan · ifG302
• ·ὁρμήhormē · impulseG3730
• the governorεὐθύνωeuthunō · to straightenG2116
• listethβούλομαιboulomai · to planG1014

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 Yhwh sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in 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 ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.
• Acts 27:14But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.

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