Paragraph 3:4–5b
In this paragraph, James used the illustration of how a small rudder can turn a large ship. In a similar way, the tongue, even though it is a small part of the body, can have enormous effects.
3:4a
Consider ships as well: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Consider ships as well is literally “Look, the ships also.” These words introduce James’ second comparison and call attention to that example. Use a natural expression for introducing an illustration in a way that gets the attention of the readers/hearers. For example:
Also, listen to this example of ships
-or-
Or think of a ship (Good News Translation)
ships: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as ships may refer to any kind of ship or boat. In this verse, James mentions the wind (3:4c). So it is clear that here he was thinking of sailing ships.
A sailing ship is a large boat that uses the power of the wind to move it across the water. One or more sails (very large pieces of strong cloth) are attached to tall posts on the ship. The wind blows against the cloth which in turn pushes the whole boat.
Some ways to translate this word are:
big sailing ships
-or-
huge canoes with sails
-or-
very large boats
In some languages, it is more natural to use a singular word “ship” here.
If the idea of a large boat with sails is not known by the people of your region, you may want to include an illustration at this place in your translation.
3:4b–c
Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds: In this clause, James listed two things that make it hard to control a ship: its size and the powerful winds that blow on it.
3:4c
are driven by strong winds: The clause are driven by strong winds indicates that it takes strong winds to cause these ships to move. Some other ways to translate this clause are:
are pushed by strong winds
-or-
are carried by strong winds
-or-
are blown by strong winds
The verb is passive. There are at least two ways to translate it:
• Use a passive verb. For example:
it is pushed by strong winds (New Century Version)
• Use an active verb. For example:
strong winds…move a large sailing ship (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
and seamen use strong winds to move their large sailing ships
3:4d
they are steered by a very small rudder: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as steered is from the same verb as the word translated “guide” in 3:3c. It refers to turning or changing the direction of something that is moving.
Some other ways to translate this verb are:
they are guided by a very small rudder (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
are controlled by a very small rudder (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
This verb is passive. There are at least two ways to translate it:
• Use a passive verb. For example:
it can be steered by a very small rudder (Good News Translation)
• using an active verb. For example:
a very small rudder controls that big ship (New Century Version)
-or-
the captain uses only a small rudder to make it go in any direction (Contemporary English Version)
rudder: A rudder is a device that sailors use to steer a boat. It is attached to the back or the side of the boat. In ancient boats, it consisted of a wide, flat piece of wood attached to the end of a long pole. The man who steered the boat held one end of the pole and the other end with the flat piece of wood went down into the water. By pushing or pulling the pole, he was able to change the direction that the boat was going.
Some ways to translate rudder are:
• Use a specific word. For example:
rudder
• Use a word for the piece of wood that moves and turns canoes. For example:
paddle/oar
• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:
a small steering paddle/thing
Each ship had one rudder. If you have spoken of “ships” in the plural in 3:4a–b, you may need to speak of rudders in the plural.
3:4e
pilot: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as pilot refers to the man who steers a boat using a rudder. Some other ways to translate this word are:
boatman
-or-
oarsman
-or-
the sailor/man who steers
Each ship had one pilot. If you have been talking about “ships,” consider whether you will need to say “pilot” or “pilots” here.
is inclined: James emphasizes that it is the man who steers the boat who determines its direction. Some other ways to translate this phrase are:
in the direction the pilot wants to cause it to go
-or-
wherever the pilot chooses to go (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
General Comment on 3:4a–d
In some languages, it may be helpful to reorder this verse so that 3:4b–c comes after 3:4d–e. For example:
4aFor another example, think about a sailing ship. 4eThe pilot directs it wherever he wishes 4dby means of a tiny rudder, 4beven though the ship may be very large 4cand only strong winds can move it.
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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.