Study it in the app“Look also at the ships: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the impulse of the pilot wants.”
James: the tongue, small like a bit or a rudder, is a fire that no one can tameThe Tongue
Lookἰδοὺalsoκαὶat the ships:τὰ πλοῖαthough they areὄνταso largeτηλικαῦταandκαὶare drivenἐλαυνόμεναbyὑπὸstrongσκληρῶνwinds,ἀνέμωνthey are steeredμετάγεταιbyὑπὸa very smallἐλαχίστουrudderπηδαλίουwhereverὅπουthe impulseἡ ὁρμὴof the pilotτοῦ εὐθύνοντοςwants.βούλεται
boat
Boat.
Where else “ploia” appearsbe
To be: says who or what something is.
Where else “onta” appearsso great
So great, of such size.
Where else “tēlikauta” appearsdrive
Be carried along forcibly by the wind.
Where else “elaunomena” appearshard
Hard, harsh.
Where else “sklērōn” appearswind
Wind.
Where else “anemōn” appearssteer, guide
Guide, steer, turn in another direction.
Where else “metagetai” appearsleast, smallest
Least, smallest, the lowest in size or importance.
Where else “elachistou” appearsrudder
Rudder, steering oar of a ship.
Where else “pēdaliou” appearswhere
Where, wherever.
Where else “hopou” appearsimpulse
A force or desire driving toward something.
Where else “hormē” appearssteer
To steer a ship where one wants it to go.
Where else “euthynontos” appearswant, intend
Want firmly, resolve, intend.
Where else “bouletai” appears3And if we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we steer also their whole body.
4 · This verse (above)
5So also the tongue is a small member and boasts of great things. See how great a forest so small a fire sets ablaze.
1. What it says
What images does James use to describe the power of the tongue (v. 3-6)?
2. What it means
Why do you think James contrasts the wisdom "from above" with bitter jealousy and rivalry (v. 13-18)?
3. How I live it
James says blessing and cursing come from the same mouth (v. 9-10). What kind word could you say today?
