And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong.
Parallel translations
- WEB Behold, the ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds, are yet guided by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires.
- 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.
- BSB Consider ships as well. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot is inclined.
- 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.
- NASB Look at the ships too: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are nevertheless directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot determines.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
A very small rudder steers a great ship through strong winds. So too the small tongue sets the direction of a person's life.
Overview
James adds a second analogy: a large ship, though driven by fierce winds, is guided by a tiny rudder at the pilot's will. The tongue, small as it is, similarly determines the course of one's life. These images press home that disciplined speech is essential to a well-directed Christian life.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 4
- Matt 8:24Behold, a violent storm came up on the sea, so much that the boat was covered with the waves, but he was asleep.
- Acts 27:14–38But before long, a stormy wind beat down from shore, which is called Euroclydon.
- Ps 107:25–27For he commands, and raises the stormy wind, which lifts up its waves.
- Jonah 1:4But Yahweh sent out a great wind on the sea, and there was a mighty storm on the sea, so that the ship was likely to break up.
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Christ at the center
The wisdom from above and the royal law of love are the life of those who belong to 'our glorious Lord Jesus Christ' — faith in him made visible in works.
How James 3:4 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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