James 3:4

Ships. Ships were familiar objects to many of James’s readers, for the Roman Empire bordered the Mediterranean Sea.

Great. Ancient ships seemed large to people of that time, though today’s ocean liners far exceed them in size. Paul’s journey to Malta was on large ship for it carried 276 persons, including both crew and passengers (see Acts 27:37). However, any ship is large in comparison with the rudder that controls it.

Fierce. Gr. skleros, “harsh,” “strong,” “stiff.” The horse (cf. v. 3) possesses its own headstrong will and a ship is the victim of strong winds, but both forces can be controlled by a relatively small device.

Helm. Or, “rudder.” The emphasis is on the smallness of the indispensable rudder.

Governor. Or, “steersman,” or “pilot.”

Listeth. Gr. boulomai, “to will deliberately,” “to purpose.” Although the rudder guides the ship, it is the helmsman who controls the rudder. Similarly, although the tongue may, in a since, give direction to the whole body, it is directed, in turn, by the will (cf. James 1:15).