James 3:4 - Forerunner Commentary

James 3:4

2 For ^awe all stumble in many things. ^bIf anyone does not stumble in word, ^che is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.

3 Indeed, ^awe put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body.

4 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.

5 Even so ^athe tongue is a little member and ^bboasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!

6 And ^athe tongue is a fire, a world of¹ iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it ^bdefiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of² nature; and it is set on fire by³ hell.

7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind.

8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, ^afull of deadly poison.

9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made ^ain the similitude of God.

10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.

11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?

12 Can a ^afig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs?¹ Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.

Verse Comparison: James 3:4

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American Standard Version
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.

Amplified® Bible
Likewise, look at the ships: though they are so great and are driven by rough winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the impulse of the helmsman determines.

Contemporary English Version
It takes strong winds to move a large sailing ship, but the captain uses only a small rudder to make it go in any direction.

Darby English Version
Behold also the ships, which are so great, and driven by violent winds, are turned about by a very small rudder, wherever the pleasure of the helmsman will.

Good News Bible
Or think of a ship: big as it is and driven by such strong winds, it can be steered by a very small rudder, and it goes wherever the pilot wants it to go.

International Standard Version
And look at ships! They are so big that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are steered wherever the pilot pleases by a tiny rudder.

King James Version
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 American Standard Bible
Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires.

New International Version
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.

New King James Version
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.

N.A.S.B. in E-Prime
Look at the ships also, though they look so great and receive propulsion by strong winds, still receive direction by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires.

Young's Literal Translation
lo, also the ships, being so great, and by fierce winds being driven, are led about by a very small helm, whithersoever the impulse of the helmsman doth counsel,

New English Translation
Look at ships too: Though they are so large and driven by harsh winds, they are steered by a tiny rudder wherever the pilot’s inclination directs.

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