the Week of Proper 23 / Ordinary 28
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James 3:1
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Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.
Ain't many of you will be called to teach others how to ride for the Boss's outfit because you know these cowboys will be judged more strictly.
Do not all be teachers, my brothers, because we teachers will be judged more hardly than others.
Be not many teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive greater judgment.
Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment.
My brethren, be not many teachers, knowing that we shall receive greater condemnation.
Do not be eager, my brethren, for many among you to become teachers; for you know that we teachers shall undergo severer judgement.
My brethren, bee not many masters, knowing that we shall receiue the greater condemnation.
My brothers do not be many teachers, knowing that we will receive greater judgment.
My brethre, be not euery man a master, remebrynge how that we shall receaue the more damnacion:
Don't be in any rush to become a teacher, my friends. Teaching is highly responsible work. Teachers are held to the strictest standards. And none of us is perfectly qualified. We get it wrong nearly every time we open our mouths. If you could find someone whose speech was perfectly true, you'd have a perfect person, in perfect control of life.
Not many [of you] should become teachers [serving in an official teaching capacity], my brothers and sisters, for you know that we [who are teachers] will be judged by a higher standard [because we have assumed greater accountability and more condemnation if we teach incorrectly].
Be not many of you teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment.
Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, for you know that we who teach shall be judged with greater strictness.
My brethren be not every ma a master remembringe how that we shall receave the more damnacion:
Don't many [of you] be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment.
My brethren, be not many teachers, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
Many teachers become not, my brethren, having known that greater judgment we shall receive,
My brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, because you know that we will be judged more strictly.
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
My friends, we should not all try to become teachers. In fact, teachers will be judged more strictly than others.
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, since you know that we will be judged more severely.
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receiue the greater condemnation.
MY brethren, do not allow doubtful teachers among you; but know, that we are under a great judgment.
Not many should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment,
Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment.
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teachwho teach">[fn] will be judged more severely.Matthew 23:8,14; Luke 6:37; Romans 2:20-21; 1 Peter 5:3;">[xr]
LET there not be many teachers among you, my brethren, but know that a greater condemnation we incur.
Let there not be many teachers among you, my brethren; but know ye, that we are obnoxious to, a severer judgment.
My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.
Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly.
My Christian brothers, not many of you should become teachers. If we do wrong, it will be held against us more than other people who are not teachers.
Be not many teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment.
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
Not, many teachers, become ye, my brethren, knowing that, a severer sentence, shall ye receive;
Be ye not many masters, my brethren, knowing that you receive the greater judgment.
My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
Not many should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we will receive a greater judgment.
My brethren, be not manie maisters, knowyng howe that we shall receaue the greater damnation:
My brothers and sisters, not many of you should be teachers. I say this because, as you know, we who teach will be judged more strictly than others.
Do not become teachers in large numbers, my brothers, since you know that we who are teachers will incur a stricter judgment.
My friends, not many of you should become teachers. As you know, we teachers will be judged with greater strictness than others.
Mi britheren, nyle ye be maad many maistris, witynge that ye taken the more doom.
Contextual Overview
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
be: Malachi 2:12, Matthew 9:11, Matthew 10:24, Matthew 23:8-10, Matthew 23:14, John 3:10, Acts 13:1, Romans 2:20, Romans 2:21, 1 Corinthians 12:28, Ephesians 4:11, 1 Timothy 2:7, 2 Timothy 1:11,*Gr: 1 Peter 5:3
knowing: Leviticus 10:3, Ezekiel 3:17, Ezekiel 3:18, Ezekiel 33:7-9, Luke 6:37, Luke 12:47, Luke 12:48, Luke 16:2, Acts 20:26, Acts 20:27, 1 Corinthians 4:2-5, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Hebrews 13:17
condemnation: or, judgment, Matthew 7:1, Matthew 7:2, Matthew 23:14, 1 Corinthians 11:29-32,*Gr.
Reciprocal: Isaiah 6:5 - a man Jeremiah 17:16 - I have Matthew 25:19 - reckoneth Luke 20:47 - the same Romans 13:2 - receive 1 Corinthians 3:10 - But let every 1 Timothy 5:12 - damnation James 1:19 - slow to speak James 3:13 - is a James 5:12 - lest 1 Peter 3:10 - refrain 1 Peter 4:11 - any
Cross-References
whereupon the tempter came to him, and said, "If thou be the Son of God, command these stones to become bread."
if you are the Son of God, throw your self down: for it is written , "he will charge his angels to take care of you, and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest you bruise your foot against a stone."
said he, will I give you, if you will prostrate your self and worship me.
By your mission you will be expos'd like sheep in the midst of wolves: be then as circumspect as serpents, and as inoffensive as doves:
and no wonder; for satan himself may put on the appearance of an angel of light.
You husbands, do you on your part behave with prudence towards your wives: who being of a more delicate make, ought to be treated with the greater tenderness: and consider they are equally intitled to the evangelical gifts, that your prayers may not be frustrated.
the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, call'd the devil or satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast down to the earth, and his angels were precipitated with him.
and he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the devil and satan, and bound him for a thousand years,
Gill's Notes on the Bible
My brethren, be not many masters,.... The apostle having dispatched the subject of faith and good works, which constitute the pure and undefiled religion mentioned in James 1:27 which gave rise to this discourse, he proceeds to consider the evidence of a religious man, suggested in James 1:26 who is one that bridles the tongue; and enters into an account of the use and abuse of the tongue: and which is introduced by this exhortation; and which seems to be opposed to an affectation among the Jews, to whom James writes, of being called "Rabbi, Rabbi", or "Mori, Mori", master, master, condemned by Christ, Matthew 23:8. The words may be rendered, "be not many teachers"; or be not fond, and forward, and ambitious of being preachers of the word, but rather choose to be hearers of it, agreeably to the advice in James 1:19, "be swift to hear, slow to speak"; not but that the office of a teacher is a good work, and a very desirable one; and spiritual gifts, qualifying for it, are to be coveted with a view to the glory of God, and the good of souls; and to have many teachers is a blessing to the churches of Christ and a large number of them is often not only proper, but absolutely necessary: but then this office should not be entered upon without suitable gifts, a divine mission, and a regular call by a church; and when entered into, should not be performed in a magisterial way, as lords over God's heritage, and as claiming a dominion over the faith of men, but as helpers of their joy, peace, and comfort; nor according to the commandments of men, but according to the oracles of God. Or it may be, this exhortation may have respect to censorious persons, rigid and severe reprovers of others, who take upon them, in a haughty manner, to charge and rebuke others for their faults; reproof for sin ought to be given; sin should not be suffered upon the brethren; to reprove is not blameworthy, but commendable, when it is done in a right manner, with a good spirit, and to a good end: in case of private offences, it should be privately given, and for public ones, men should be rebuked before all; but then this ought to be done in a gentle manner, and in a spirit of meekness; and when it is a clear case, and plain matter of fact, and which ought not to be exaggerated and aggravated; mole hills are not to be made mountains of, or a man be made an offender for a word, or a matter of human frailty; and reproof should be given by persons not guilty of the same, or worse crimes, themselves, and always with a good end; not to screen and cover their own vices, or to be thought more holy and religious than others, or to satisfy a revengeful spirit, but for the glory of God, and the restoring of the person that has sinned.
Knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation: should men enter into the office of teaching others without a call, or perform it negligently, or live not according to the doctrine they teach others, such would be judged out of their own mouths, and by their own words, and their condemnation would be aggravated; and should men judge rash judgment, they themselves will be judged at a higher tribunal; and should they be too censorious, and bear too hard on others, they will have judgment without mercy.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
My brethren, be not many masters - “Be not many of you teachers.” The evil referred to is that where many desired to be teachers, though but few could be qualified for the office, and though, in fact, comparatively few were required. A small number, well qualified, would better discharge the duties of the office, and do more good, than many would; and there would be great evil in having many crowding themselves unqualified into the office. The word here rendered “masters” (διδάσκαλοι didaskaloi) should have been rendered “teachers.” It is so rendered in John 3:2; Acts 13:1; Romans 2:20; 1 Corinthians 12:28-29; Ephesians 4:11; 1 Timothy 2:11; 1 Timothy 4:3; Hebrews 5:12; though it is elsewhere frequently rendered master. It has, however, in it primarily the notion of “teaching” (διδάσκω didaskō), even when rendered “master;” and the word “master” is often used in the New Testament, as it is with us, to denote an instructor - as the “school-master.”
Compare Matthew 10:24-25; Matthew 22:16; Mark 10:17; Mark 12:19, et al. The word is not properly used in the sense of master, as distinguished from a servant, but as distinguished from a disciple or learner. Such a position, indeed, implies authority, but it is authority based not on power, but on superior qualifications. The connection implies that the word is used in that sense in this place; and the evil reprehended is that of seeking the office of public instructor, especially the sacred office. It would seem that this was a prevailing fault among those to whom the apostle wrote. This desire was common among the Jewish people, who coveted the name and the office of “Rabbi,” equivalent to that here used, (compare Matthew 23:7), and who were ambitious to be doctors and teachers. See Romans 2:19; 1 Timothy 1:7. This fondness for the office of teachers they naturally carried with them into the Christian church when they were converted, and it is this which the apostle here rebukes. The same spirit the passage before us would rebuke now and for the same reasons; for although a man should be willing to become a public instructor in religion when called to it by the Spirit and Providence of God, and should esteem it a privilege when so called, yet there would be scarcely anything more injurious to the cause of true religion, or that would tend more to produce disorder and confusion, than a prevailing desire of the prominence and importance which a man has in virtue of being a public instructor. If there is anything which ought to be managed with extreme prudence and caution, it is that of introducing men into the Christian ministry. Compare 1 Timothy 5:22; Acts 1:15-26; Acts 13:2-3.
Knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation - (μεῖζον κρὶμα meizon krima. Or rather, “a severer judgment;” that is, we shall have a severer trial, and give a stricter account. The word here used does not necessarily mean “condemnation,” but “judgment, trial, account;” and the consideration which the apostle suggests is not that those who were public teacher would be condemned, but that there would be a much more solemn account to be rendered by them than by other men, and that they ought duly to reflect on this in seeking the office of the ministry. He would carry them in anticipation before the judgment-seat, and have them determine the question of entering the ministry there. No better “stand-point” can be taken in making up the mind in regard to this work; and if that had been the position assumed in order to estimate the work, and to make up the mind in regard to the choice of this profession, many a one who has sought the office would have been deterred from it; and it may be added, also, that many a pious and educated youth would have sought the office, who has devoted his life to other pursuits. A young man, when about to make choice of a calling in life, should place himself by anticipation at the judgment-bar of Christ, and ask himself how human pursuits and plans will appear there. If that were the point of view taken, how many would have been deterred from the ministry who have sought it with a view to honor or emolument! How many, too, who have devoted themselves to the profession of the law, to the army or navy, or to the pursuits of elegant literature, would have felt that it was their duty to serve God in the ministry of reconciliation? How many at the close of life, in the ministry and out of it, feel, when too late to make a change, that they have wholly mistaken the purpose for which they should have lived!
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
CHAPTER III.
They are exhorted not to be many masters, 1.
And to bridle the tongue, which is often an instrument of
much evil, 2-12.
The character and fruits of true and false wisdom, 13-18.
NOTES ON CHAP. III.
Verse James 3:1. Be not many masters — Do not affect the teacher's office, for many wish to be teachers who have more need to learn. There were many teachers or rabbins among the Jews, each affecting to have THE truth, and to draw disciples after him. We find a caution against such persons, and of the same nature with that of St. James, in Pirkey Aboth, c. i. 10: Love labour, and hate the rabbin's office.
This caution is still necessary; there are multitudes, whom God has never called, and never can call, because he has never qualified them for the work, who earnestly wish to get into the priest's office. And of this kind, in opposition to St. James, we have many masters-persons who undertake to show us the way of salvation, who know nothing of that ways and are unsaved themselves. These are found among all descriptions of Christians, and have been the means of bringing the ministerial office into contempt. Their case is awful; they shall receive greater condemnation than common sinners; they have not only sinned in thrusting themselves into that office to which God has never called them, but through their insufficiency the flocks over whom they have assumed the mastery perish for lack of knowledge, and their blood will God require at the watchman's hand. A man may have this mastery according to the law of the land, and yet not have it according to the Gospel; another may affect to have it according to the Gospel, because he dissents from the religion of the state, and not have it according to Christ. Blockheads are common, and knaves and hypocrites may be found everywhere.
