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James 3:4 KJV
James · chapter 3 · verse 4
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.James 3:4 · King James Version
James 3:4 in context
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.
4Behold 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.
Commentary
Key words (Strong's)
- whithersoeverhopouwhere, whereasG3699 →
- Beholdidoubehold, see, loG2400 →
- drivenelaunōto drive, of the wind driving ships or clouds, of sailors propelling a vessel by oars, to…G1643 →
- fiercesklēroshard, harsh, rough, stiff, of men metaph. harsh, stern, hard, of things violent, rough…G4642 →
- shipsploiona shipG4143 →
- greattēlikoutosof age, of such an age, of so great an age, so old, so young, of so great a size, in…G5082 →
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The foregoing chapter shows how unprofitable and dead faith is without works. It is plainly intimated by what this chapter first goes upon that such a faith is, however, apt to make men conceited and magisterial in their tempers and their talk.
— Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on verses 1-12