OceanSide church of Christ
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JAMES 3:4
Victor M. Eskew
Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and driven of fierce winds, yet they are turned about with a very small helm, withersoever the governor listeth.
1. Behold
A. Strong (2400): lo!
B. Thayer: Behold, see, lo
C. Vine: to see, calling attention to what may be seen or heard or mentally appre-hended in any way…regularly rendered “behold”
2. Ships
A. Strong (4143): a sailer, that is, vessel
B. Thayer: ship
C. Vine: to sail, a boat or a ship, always rendered appropriately “boat” in the R.V. in the gospels.
3. So great
A. Strong (5082): so vast
B. Thayer: of so great in size
C. Vine: to drive…of the power of winds upon ships
4. Driven
A. Strong (1643): to push
B. Thayer: to drive, of wind driving ships or clouds
C. Vine: to drive…of the power of winds upon ships
5. Fierce
A. Strong (4642): …hard, touch, (figuratively, harsh, severe)
B. Thayer: hard, harsh, rough, stiff…of things: violent, rough, offensive, intolerable
C. Vine: hard, rough, violent
6. Wind
A. Strong (417): wind
B. Thayer: wind, a violent agitation and stream of air, a very strong tempestuous wind
C. Vine: wind
7. Turned about
A. Strong (846): to lead over, that is, transfer
B. Thayer: to transfer, lead over, to direct
C. Vine: to move from one side to another
8. Very small
A. Strong (1646): least (in size, amount, dignity, etc.)
B. Thayer: smallest, least, in size
C. Vine: least, is used of size in James 3:4
9. Helm
A. Strong (4079): a “pedal,’ that is helm :- rudder
B. Thayer: a ship’s rudder
C. Vine: a rudder (akin to pedos, the blade of an oar)…the pedalia were actually steering paddles, two of which were used as rudders in ancient ships
10. Governor
A. Strong (2116): to straighten…technically to steer
B. Thayer: to lead or guide straight, to keep straight or direct, of the steersman or helmsman of a ship
C. Vine: to make straight or guide straight…denoting the “stearsman” (R.V.) a pilot of a vessel
11. Listeth
A. Strong (1014): will, be willing :- be disposed, minded, intend
B. Thayer: to will deliberately, have a purpose, be minded
C. Vine: to will, be minded (R.V., “willeth”)