Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of James 3:4
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.
4. Behold also the ships ] General as the thought is, we may perhaps connect it, as we have done ch. Jas 1:6, with personal recollections of storms on the Galilean lake. It will be seen that this also has its counterpart in Sophocles. The two images are brought together by a writer more within St James’s reach than the Greek tragedian. With Philo, Reason in man, the Divine Word in Creation, are compared both with the charioteer and the pilot. ( De Conf. ling. p. 336. De Abr. p. 360). In the latter the very word which St James uses for “governor” is employed also by Philo. The same thoughts appear in the beautiful hymn of Clement of Alexandria as describing the work of Christ as the true Teacher. ( Paedag. ad fin.):
“Curb for the stubborn steed
Making its will give heed.
Helm of the ships that keep
Their pathway o’er the deep.
whithersoever the governor listeth ] Better, the pilot or steersman. This, which, the reader will hardly need to be reminded, is the primary meaning of “governor”, has, in the modern use of the word, all but dropped out of sight. Literally the sentence runs, whithersoever the impulse of the steersman may wish.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Behold 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 tongue in respect to its influence on the whole man, is not unlike the control of the rudder in its power over the ship.
Which though they be so great – So great in themselves, and in comparison with the rudder. Even such bulky and unwieldy objects are controlled by a very small thing.
And are driven of fierce winds – By winds that would seem to leave the ship beyond control. It is probable that by the fierce winds here as impelling the ship, the apostle meant to illustrate the power of the passions in impelling man. Even a man under impetuous passion would be restrained, if the tongue is properly controlled, as the ship driven by the winds is by the helm.
Yet are they turned about with a very small helm – The ancient rudder or helm was made in the shape of an oar. This was very small when compared with the size of the vessel – about as small as the tongue is as compared with the body.
Whithersoever the governor listeth – As the helmsman pleases. It is entirely under his control.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
The other similitude, in which a man is compared to a ship, the tongue to the rudder, the governing the whole body to the turning about the ship. As the rudder is but a small thing, in comparison of the much greater bulk of a ship, and yet, being itself turned, turns the whole ship (though so great, and driven of so fierce winds) which way soever the steersman pleaseth: so likewise the tongue, though little to the whole man, (which may withal be driven, and acted by storms of furious passions), yet if it be itself under government, the rest of the man will be so too.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
4. Not only animals, but evenships.
the governorlistethliterally, “the impulse of the steersmanpleaseth.” The feeling which moves the tongue corresponds withthis.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Behold also the ships, which though they be so great,…. Of so large a bulk, of such a prodigious size, and are such unwieldy vessels:
and are driven of fierce winds; with great vehemence, rapidity, and swiftness:
yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth; the helm, or tiller of a ship, is a beam or piece of timber fastened into the rudder, and so coming forward into the steerage, where he that stands at helm steers the ship e, who is here called the governor; or “he that directs”, as the word may be rendered; that is, that steers; the word for “helm” is translated rudder in Ac 27:40, and the helm or tiller is sometimes, though improperly, called the rudder itself f; and this is very small, in comparison of the bulk of the ship that is guided by it g. Aristotle calls it , “a small helm”, as the apostle here does, and accounts for it how large ships should be moved and steered by it. And so, though the tongue is to the rest of the body as a small helm to a large ship, yet, like that, it has great influence over the whole body, to check it when it is carrying away with the force of its appetites and passions; and so churches, societies, and bodies of Christians, which are large and numerous, and are like ships upon the ocean, tossed to and fro with tempests, driven by Satan’s temptations and the world’s persecution, and ready to be carried away with the wind of false doctrine, yet are influenced and directed aright by those that are at the helm, the faithful ministers of the word, who say to them, this is the way, walk in it.
e Chambers’s Cyclopedia, in the word “Helm”. f lb. in the word “Rudder”. g Quaest. Mechanic. c. 5.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The ships also ( ). Old word from , to sail (Mt 4:21). Another metaphor like “horses” (). “There is more imagery drawn from mere natural phenomena in the one short Epistle of James than in all St. Paul’s epistles put together” (Howson).
Though they are so great ( ). Concessive participle of . The quantitative pronoun occurs in the N.T. only here, 2Cor 1:10; Heb 2:3; Rev 16:18. If James had only seen the modern mammoth ships. But the ship on which Paul went to Malta carried 276 persons (Ac 27:37).
And are driven ( ). Present passive participle of , old verb, in this sense (2Pe 2:17) for rowing (Mark 6:48; John 6:19).
Rough (). Old adjective (from , to dry up), harsh, stiff, hard (Mt 25:24).
Are yet turned (). Present passive indicative of the same verb, , in verse 3. James is fond of repeating words (Jas 1:13; Jas 2:14; Jas 2:16; Jas 2:21; Jas 2:25).
By a very small rudder ( ). For the use of (under) with things see Luke 8:14; 2Pet 2:7. There is possibly personification in the use of for agency in Jas 1:14; Jas 2:9; Col 2:18. (from , the blade of an oar) is an old word, in N.T. only here and Ac 27:40. is the elative superlative as in 1Co 4:3 (from the Epic for ).
The impulse ( ). Old word for rapid, violent motion, here of the hand that worked the rudder, in N.T. only here and Ac 14:5 (rush or onset of the people).
Of the steersman ( ). Present active genitive articular participle of , old verb, to make straight (from , straight, level, Mr 1:3), in N.T. only here and Joh 1:23. Used also of the shepherd, the charioteer, and today it would apply to the chauffeur. “The twin figure of the control of horse and of ship are frequently found together in later Greek writers” (Ropes). As in Plutarch and Philo.
Willeth (). Present middle indicative of , common verb to will. Here intention of the steersman lies back of the impact of the hand on the rudder.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
The ships. See Introduction, on James’ local allusions. Dean Howson observes that “there is more imagery drawn from mere natural phenomena in the one short epistle of James than in all St. Paul ‘s epistles put together.”
So great. As the ship which conveyed Paul to Malta, which contained two hundred and seventy – six persons (Act 27:37).
Fierce [] . More literally, and better, as Rev., rough. The word primarily means hard, harsh.
Helm [] . Better, rudder, as Rev. The rudder was an oar worked by a handle. Helm and rudder were thus one. The word occurs only here and Act 27:40.
The governor listeth [ ] . Lit., the impulse or desire of the steersman wisheth. ‘Ormh, impulse, only here and Act 14:5, of an assault, onset.
The governor [ ] . Rev., steersman. Lit., of him who is guiding. Only here and Joh 1:23. From ‘Ormh, straight.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) Observe the little boat on the rough and rowdy or hazing winds of the sea. The little boats are tossed and driven, yet they are turned by a very small rudder, wherever the impulse or will of the steerman or boatman wills or desires.
2) In like manner James is attempting to tell the brethren that even the tongue should be steered or controlled or bridled, that it might influence the body in a God honoring way, 1Co 6:19-20; 2Co 6:14-18.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(4) The governori.e., the helmsman, from the Latin gubernator. The Venerable Bede, our earliest English translator, refers the ships here to an image of ourselves, and the winds to the impulses of our own minds, by which we are driven hither and thither.
St. James, remembering the storms of the Galilean lake, could well rejoice in a simile like this, although he himself may only have known the craft of an inland sea, and never have beheld broad rivers and streams wherein went galley with oars and gallant ship (Isa. 33:21). And none knew better than the brother of the Lord who was the true
Helm of the ships that keep
Pathway along the deep.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
4. Helm Rudder. The ships are a larger image of the same truth, and, taking in their size and the force of winds, form a fine illustration.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘Behold, the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by rough winds, are yet turned about by a very small rudder, wherever the will of the steersman directs.’
The thought of ‘turning about’ now brings to mind a second illustration and that is of a steersman steering a ship. He has but a small rudder, but with such a small rudder a good steersman can make the large ship do precisely what he wants, even when being driven by rough winds (that is, by what a landlubber like James thought were rough winds). So in spite of the largeness of the ship, and the fierceness of the winds, the small rudder is still able to control it.
His point is that the church too is large, and faces fierce storms, but if those who exercise authority in teaching do so wisely the whole church will move forward in the direction in which God wants it to go. But let their teaching once become marred, then the church will begin to suffer and begin to find itself at the mercy of wind and storm.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Jam 3:4. Whithersoever the governor listeth Whithersoever the action of the pilot directs. Heylin. Whithersoever the steersman pleaseth. Doddridge; who remarks, “I know not how to express in English the force of ‘ , which, admirably represents the impetuosity with which, in a storm, a man at the helm, on a critical occasion, turns his hand.”
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Jas 3:4 . The second comparison is emphatically indicated by . is either also or even so. Wiesinger prefers the second meaning, which certainly gives to the thought a peculiar emphasis. The participles are to be resolved by although. Both participial sentences bring forward the difficulty of guiding the ship, in order to cause the power of the small helm to be recognised. It is possible that in the second clause: , there is an allusion to the lusts moving man (Bede: venti validi ipsi appetitus sunt mentium), or “to the temptations ( ) of the world, coming from without” (Lange).
] is also used of the wind in Pro 27:16 (so also Aelian, de animal , v. 13, ix. 14; Dio Chrysostom, iii. p. 44 C).
The verb united with is the same as in Jas 3:3 . The words ] mention by what this guidance takes place. On , see chap. Jas 1:14 . By the addition of a new point is introduced which is retained in what follows. The superlative is for the purpose of bringing more strongly forward the smallness of the in contrast to the great ship ( ). The counterpart is the little tongue (Jas 3:5 ).
The addition: whithersoever the desire of the steersman willeth , is not superfluous; it expresses in opposition to the free mastery of him who steers the ship, which he exercises over it by means of the helm, and corresponds to . . ., Jas 3:3 .
] (instead of , which does not occur in the N. T.) is found also in the classics united with verbs of motion, particularly with , but also with ; Sophocles, Trach. 40: . By is not to be understood the external impulse, or “the pressure which the steersman exercises” (Erasmus, Semler, Augusti, Stolz, Pott, Theile, Wiesinger), also not “the course of the navigator kept in action by the helm” (Lange); by both of these interpretations a meaning is imposed upon the word foreign to it. It rather indicates, as in Act 14:5 (see Meier in loco ), the eager will, the desire of something (in Plato, Phil. p. 35 D, it is used as synonymous with ); thus Bede, Calvin, Grotius, Baumgarten, Gebser, de Wette, and others.
The participle indicates him who sits at the helm and directs the ship; it is thus not = (Grotius, Pott, Schneckenburger). Luther correctly translates it according to its meaning: “whether he wills who governs it.”
For corresponding passages from the classics, see in Wetstein, Gebser, Theile; particularly Aristotle, Quaest. mechan. ii. 5.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
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.
Ver. 4. Whithersoever the governor ] Peterent caelum Belgae si navibus peti posset, Ley them ask for the skys of Belge if it would be possible to reach them by ship, saith one (Johnston, de Nat. Constant.)
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
4 .] The second comparison takes up, not the protasis with its , but only the apodosis foregoing. Behold, even (or also) the ships, though so great (the participle carries a slightly ratiocinative force, illative or exceptive according to the circumstances), and driven by fierce (see reff.: and cf. lian de Animal, Jas 3:13 , : and Hist. Var. ix. 14, , . See other citations in Wetst.) winds (Bed [9] interprets this as having a meaning respecting ourselves: “Naves magn in mari, mentes sunt hominum in hac vita, sive bonorum sive malorum. Venti validi, a quibus minantur (?), ipsi appetitus sunt mentium, quibus naturaliter coguntur aliquld agere” &c. But it is not likely that the Apostle had any such meaning), are turned about by a very small rudder, whither-soever ( for , which is not used in N. T. So also in the classics: e. g. Soph. Trach. 40, ) the desire (not, as many Commentators, the external impulse given by the hand. Cf. Plato, Phileb. p. 35 D, ) of the steersman (him who actually handles the tiller) may wish . The same thought occurs in Aristot. Qust Mechan. 5, , , , , , , , . Philo, In Flacc. 5, vol. ii. p. 521, joins the two ideas together, , , . Cf. also Lucret. iv. 899, and other examples in Wetst.
[9] Bede, the Venerable , 731; Bedegr, a Greek MS. cited by Bede, nearly identical with Cod. “E,” mentioned in this edn only when it differs from E.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Jas 3:4 . : Cf. 2Co 1:10 ; Heb 2:3 ; Rev 16:18 , the only other N.T. passages in which the word occurs. : only elsewhere in N.T. in Act 27:40 . : only elsewhere in the N.T. in Act 14:5 , used there, however, in the sense of a rush of people. The graphic picture in this verse gives the impression that the writer gives the result of personal observation.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
Behold. App-133.
also the ships = the ships also.
of. App-104.
fierce. Greek. skleros. Elsewhere translated “hard”.
with. Same as “of”.
helm. Greek. pedalion. Only here and Act 27:40.
the governor lusteth = the impulse (Greek. horme) Only here and Act 14:5) of the governor wishes (App-102.)
governor = helmsman, the one who directs, or makes straight (Greek. euthuno). Only here and Joh 1:23.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
4.] The second comparison takes up, not the protasis with its , but only the apodosis foregoing. Behold, even (or also) the ships, though so great (the participle carries a slightly ratiocinative force, illative or exceptive according to the circumstances), and driven by fierce (see reff.: and cf. lian de Animal, Jam 3:13, : and Hist. Var. ix. 14, , . See other citations in Wetst.) winds (Bed[9] interprets this as having a meaning respecting ourselves: Naves magn in mari, mentes sunt hominum in hac vita, sive bonorum sive malorum. Venti validi, a quibus minantur (?), ipsi appetitus sunt mentium, quibus naturaliter coguntur aliquld agere &c. But it is not likely that the Apostle had any such meaning), are turned about by a very small rudder, whither-soever ( for , which is not used in N. T. So also in the classics: e. g. Soph. Trach. 40, ) the desire (not, as many Commentators, the external impulse given by the hand. Cf. Plato, Phileb. p. 35 D, ) of the steersman (him who actually handles the tiller) may wish. The same thought occurs in Aristot. Qust Mechan. 5, , , , , , , , . Philo, In Flacc. 5, vol. ii. p. 521, joins the two ideas together, , , . Cf. also Lucret. iv. 899, and other examples in Wetst.
[9] Bede, the Venerable, 731; Bedegr, a Greek MS. cited by Bede, nearly identical with Cod. E, mentioned in this edn only when it differs from E.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Jam 3:4. ) even. Not only animals, but even ships.-) , vehement. There is a twofold impulse (momentum): the bulk of the ships, and the force of the winds.-, with a helm) An elegant simile, as applied to the tongue. The phrases, very small, and a small member, answer to each other. The same may be applied to the pen, which is the substitute for the tongue amongst the absent.- , the impetus) The force moving, and turning, and directing to its place. The feeling which moves the tongue corresponds with this.-, listeth) An instance of Hypallage:[33] equivalent to, wherever he wishes, who has the command; for the moving force is under his control.
[33] See Append. of Techn. Terms.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
are driven: Psa 107:25-27, Jon 1:4, Mat 8:24, Act 27:14-38
Reciprocal: Act 27:15 – we Eph 4:14 – carried Eph 5:4 – filthiness Col 3:8 – filthy
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
CHRISTIAN ABILITY
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 belm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
Jam 3:4
We have no capacity, under the natural laws of the soul, as a self-governing creature, to govern successfully anything, except indirectlythat is, by a process of steering.
I. The process of steering.We cannot govern a bad passion or grudge by choking it down, or master a wild ambition by willing it away, or stop the trains of bad thoughts by a direct fight with them, which fight would only keep them still in mind as beforeall that we can do in such matters, in the way of self-regulation, is to steer simply the mind off from its grudges, ambitions, bad thoughts, by getting it occupied with good and pure objects that work a diversion.
II. All human doings as regards the souls regeneration, or the beginning of a new life, amount to nothing more than the right use of a power that steers it into the sphere of Gods operation. And the reason why so many fail is that they undertake to do the work themselves, wearing away spasmodically to lift themselves over the unknown crises by main strengthas if seizing the ship by its mast, or the main hulk of its body, they were going to push it on through the voyage themselves.
(SECOND OUTLINE)
LITTLE THINGS
Real success in self-government is not the waiting for some special occasion to exert ourselves, but doing the best that can be done in the circumstances of everyday life.
I. No day will pass without opportunities for this.There are sarcastic remarks to be left unsaid, censorious judgments to be left unpronounced, bad thoughts to be suppressed, and good suggestions to be carried out in practice. We shall never be without opportunities to say the right thing, and to season our converse with salt; never without opportunities for little industries and self-denials. There will always be something to do or to forbear, some struggle to be carried on with self, little opportunities, and little victories won in them, and these day by day are the battle-fields for us. I will not drive them out from before thee in one year. By little and little I will drive them out before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land (Exo 23:29-30). And do we not say, Give us this day our daily bread? and again, Vouchsafe to keep us this day without sin?
II. As the Isthmian wrestler gained strength by his struggles, so does the servant of God by his.By attending to our little faults and making little efforts to correct them, we gradually overcome them; by not attending to them, they gradually overcome us. The poet complains of us, Man never is, but always to be blessed. So we might say of many, they never are, but always going to be improved; they wait for a great occasion and a future opportunity. But when the young Hebrews were chosen out to be trained in the court of Babylon, and were allowed a sumptuous portion from the royal bounty, Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the kings meat, and he gained leave for himself and his three companions to carry out this purpose, living by preference on very hard fare. It might be said this conscientious scruple was a little effervescence of youthful enthusiasm; but it had this good in itit showed a spirit of self-discipline, and a desire to honour and obey God, even at some inconvenience to self. When we begin we may expect to go further, and you find by and by that when the most extraordinary trial of faith came to Daniels three companions, and it was a choice between giving up promotion and life itself on one hand, or giving up Gods honour and Gods service on the other, then the life, trained by self-government in lesser things, was prepared for the conflict, and was able to make this instructive and memorable decision.
III. Not a few lives which once began full of promise have gradually fallen away from their former grace, tire down into formal routine, and some of them decline into failing faith and prevailing sin. Ye did run well. What did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? (Gal 5:7). I can tell what I think is the answer. They slackened; the enemy did not. They let themselves fail in little failings, they excused themselves when little duties came; and so little failings warped them into great defects, and in the hour of serious calls on them they were found wanting.
Rev. Canon T. F. Crosse.
Fuente: Church Pulpit Commentary
Jas 3:4. The same thing is true of the helm or rudder of a ship. It is but a few inches or feet long, yet it may guide a ship that is many hundreds of feet in length.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Jas 3:4. Behold also the ships, which, though they be so great. The ships of the ancients were often very large, as may be seen in the case of the ship which conveyed Paul to Malta, which contained two hundred and seventy-six persons (Act 27:37); but the comparison is even more forcible in our days, as our ships are still larger.
and are driven of fierce winds. These fierce winds may denote human passions, which the government of the tongue controls.
yet they are turned about by a very small helm whithersoever the governor listeth: literally, whithersoever the inclination or impulse of the steersman willeth. The little helm controlleth the fury of the winds and waves. Here there is an additional point of comparison, namely, the smallness of the instrument employed in governing.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
The design of our apostle, by this and the former similitude, is to shew, that little things well governed can govern great bodies; as the rider by a small bit can govern the horse at pleasure, and the pilot, by a small rudder, can manage the ship with ease; so the government of that little member the tongue, is a special mean for governing the whole man.
Next he compares the tongue to fire, in regard to the danger that attends it: Will a spark of fire set a house, a town, a city in a flame, and lay it in ashes? In like manner will a fiery tongue inflame a family, a society, a church, a kingdom: Yea, the whole world, by strife and contention, putting all into combustion; such a tongue being set on work by the devil, and kindled by that fire which came from hell; but verily, a tongue set on fire from hell, shall, without repentance, be set on fire in hell.
Learn hence, that a wicked tongue is of a hellish original, the fire of such a tongue is blown up by the breath of hell; let us abhor contentions, revilings, and reproaches, as we would hell itself.
Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament
Verse 4
The governor; the helmsman.–Listeth; pleaseth.
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
This second illustration adds another element. The controlled tongue can overcome great obstacles. James had observed many ships on the Sea of Galilee, and perhaps on the Mediterranean, driven by strong winds.