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Sunday, November 24th, 2024
the Week of Christ the King / Proper 29 / Ordinary 34
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New Living Translation

James 3:1

Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Commandments;   Humility;   Minister, Christian;   Pride;   Thompson Chain Reference - Leaders;   Ministers;   Religious;   Responsibility;   The Topic Concordance - Speech/communication;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Men;   Teacher;   Tongue;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Leadership;   Word;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - James, the General Epistle of;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Condemn;   Education in Bible Times;   James, the Letter;   Occupations and Professions in the Bible;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Hosea;   James, Epistle of;   Law;   Master;   World;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Eschatology;   James ;   James Epistle of;   Master;   Organization (2);   Teacher;   Teaching ;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Master;   Teacher, Teaching;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - James, Epistle of;   Master;   Sardis;  

Devotionals:

- Every Day Light - Devotion for May 12;  

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
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.
Revised Standard Version
Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, for you know that we who teach shall be judged with greater strictness.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
My brethren be not every ma a master remembringe how that we shall receave the more damnacion:
Hebrew Names Version
Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment.
New American Standard Bible
Do not become teachers in large numbers, my brothers, since you know that we who are teachers will incur a stricter judgment.
New Century Version
My brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
Update Bible Version
Don't many [of you] be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment.
Webster's Bible Translation
My brethren, be not many teachers, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
English Standard Version
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
World English Bible
Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
My brethren, be not many teachers, knowing that we shall receive greater condemnation.
Weymouth's New Testament
Do not be eager, my brethren, for many among you to become teachers; for you know that we teachers shall undergo severer judgement.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Mi britheren, nyle ye be maad many maistris, witynge that ye taken the more doom.
English Revised Version
Be not many teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment.
Berean Standard Bible
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
Contemporary English Version
My friends, we should not all try to become teachers. In fact, teachers will be judged more strictly than others.
Amplified Bible
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].
American Standard Version
Be not many of you teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment.
Bible in Basic English
Do not all be teachers, my brothers, because we teachers will be judged more hardly than others.
Complete Jewish Bible
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, since you know that we will be judged more severely.
Darby Translation
Be not many teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive greater judgment.
International Standard Version
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]
Etheridge Translation
LET there not be many teachers among you, my brethren, but know that a greater condemnation we incur.
Murdock Translation
Let there not be many teachers among you, my brethren; but know ye, that we are obnoxious to, a severer judgment.
King James Version (1611)
My brethren, bee not many masters, knowing that we shall receiue the greater condemnation.
New Life Bible
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.
New Revised Standard
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
Geneva Bible (1587)
My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receiue the greater condemnation.
George Lamsa Translation
MY brethren, do not allow doubtful teachers among you; but know, that we are under a great judgment.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Not, many teachers, become ye, my brethren, knowing that, a severer sentence, shall ye receive;
Douay-Rheims Bible
Be ye not many masters, my brethren, knowing that you receive the greater judgment.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
My brethren, be not manie maisters, knowyng howe that we shall receaue the greater damnation:
Good News Translation
My friends, not many of you should become teachers. As you know, we teachers will be judged with greater strictness than others.
Christian Standard Bible®
Not many should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we will receive a stricter judgment.
King James Version
My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
Lexham English Bible
Not many should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we will receive a greater judgment.
Literal Translation
My brothers do not be many teachers, knowing that we will receive greater judgment.
Young's Literal Translation
Many teachers become not, my brethren, having known that greater judgment we shall receive,
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
My brethre, be not euery man a master, remebrynge how that we shall receaue the more damnacion:
Mace New Testament (1729)
My brethren, don't affect many of you to be doctors, considering, that those of us who are such, shall be tried with the greater severity.
THE MESSAGE
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.
New English Translation
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, because you know that we will be judged more strictly.
New King James Version
My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.
Simplified Cowboy Version
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.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.

Contextual Overview

1 Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. 3 We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. 4 And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. 5 In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. 6 And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. 7 People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, 8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. 10 And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!

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

Genesis 3:13
Then the Lord God asked the woman, "What have you done?" "The serpent deceived me," she replied. "That's why I ate it."
Genesis 3:15
And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel."
Ecclesiastes 4:10
If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.
Isaiah 27:1
In that day the Lord will take his terrible, swift sword and punish Leviathan, the swiftly moving serpent, the coiling, writhing serpent. He will kill the dragon of the sea.
Matthew 4:3
During that time the devil came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread."
Matthew 4:6
and said, "If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won't even hurt your foot on a stone.'"
Matthew 4:9
"I will give it all to you," he said, "if you will kneel down and worship me."
Matthew 10:16
"Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.
2 Corinthians 11:14
But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
1 Peter 3:7
In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God's gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.

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.


 
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