Devine Scripture

James 3:4

What does James 3:4 mean?

A plain-English look at James 3:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What James 3:4 means

James adds the example of great ships driven by strong winds yet directed by a very small rudder under the steersman’s impulse. External forces may be mighty, but the rudder determines the ship’s course. Likewise, circumstances and pressures blow upon our lives, yet the tongue—small as it is—often decides where we go. The point is not that the rudder is independent, but that it is decisive. Words can counter the gusts of adversity or foolishly yield to them. What governs the tongue—wisdom or folly—will set our trajectory. The image invites sober reflection on what, or who, is steering our speech when life’s winds rise.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And again ships, though they are so great and are moved by violent winds, are turned by a very small guiding-blade, at the impulse of the man who is using it.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Behold also ships, whereas they are great and are driven by strong winds, yet are they turned about with a small helm, whithersoever the force of the governor willeth.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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.

Context

Building on the bridle image, this second analogy strengthens the theme: small controls direct large outcomes even amid powerful external forces. Verse 5 will apply these lessons directly to the tongue, and then shift from constructive steering to destructive potential. The move from domesticated power (horse) to vast power (ship and winds) heightens the reader’s sense of the stakes, paving the way for verse 6’s stark diagnosis of the tongue as a fire kindled by hell.

v.3Now if we put the horses’ bridles into their mouths that they may obey us, we turn about their whole body also.

v.4This passage

v.5So the tongue also is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire!

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Psalms 107:25

    For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, Which lifteth up the waves thereof.

  • Acts 27:14

    But after no long time there beat down from it a tempestuous wind, which is called Euraquilo:

  • Matthew 8:24

    And behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the boat was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore James 3

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on James 3.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to James 3:4.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary