James 3:1-2

TEMPTATION IN TEACHING

Text 3:1-2

1.

Be not many of you teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment.

2.

For in many things we all stumble. If any stumbleth not in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also.

Queries

177.

How can we ever overcome the shortage of teachers if we heed James-' warning not to be many teachers?

178.

Is James speaking to teachers, or to all Christians here?

179.

What does the King James version say instead of teachers, and what does the word mean?

180.

How does James 3:1 compare with Matthew 12:37?

181.

In what sense may the person of James 3:1 be called a master?

182.

Why the prohibition against the choice of being a teacher?

183.

What is implied by the expression knowing?

184.

Is hell hotter for a sinning teacher than for a sinning non-teacher?

185.

Is James saying we all offend someone many times, or that we all sin? (use several different reasons).

186.

Does the stumbling with words of James 3:2 include the non-teacher?

187.

What is your description of the perfect man of James 3:2? (compare with James 1:4).

188.

What is the contrast between the beginning and ending of James 3:2?

189.

What is meant by the expression heavier judgment?

190.

What portion of James 3:2 compares with James 1:4?

191.

In what way is bridling the body linked to bridling the tongue?

Paraphrases

A. James 3:1.

Don-'t carelessly assume the responsibility of teaching, dear brothers in Christ, for with the blessings comes also the responsibility for erroneous teaching.

2.

Most prominent among the many sins we all perform is the sin of carelessness in the usage of words. If we control our words, we demonstrate our ability to completely control the whole manincluding the deeds of the flesh!

B.*James 3:1.

Dear brothers, don-'t be too eager to tell others their faults, for we all make many mistakes; and when we teachers, who should know better, do wrong, our punishment will be greater than it would be for others;

2.

If anyone can control his tongue, it proves that he has perfect control over himself in every other way.

Summary

Before teaching, think soberly. We teach with our tongue and it is more difficult than the body to control.

Comment

Do not many of you become teachers would at first glance seem to restrict the great commission. Matthew 28 and other parallel passages request the apostles and the church through the apostles to teach the Word of God that they might observe (do) all things. A more careful examination of the context of James 3 reveals that the teacher and the wise man are treated as if they were substantially identical. Far from prohibiting either teaching or wisdom, James is saying the two must be carefully coupled. For a foolish and careless man to assume the position of teacher, would be dangerous to his soul as for a small child to play with dynamite. Other people would also be involved in the careless teaching or the dynamite, and the responsibility is multiplied.

A man who uses his tongue constantly is in much more temptation to use it carelessly and thoughtlessly than a man whose occupation seldom demands the use of his tongue. It would seem that the novice should (and usually does) approach the task of teaching with fear and trembling; with long and careful preparation and great concern lest he mishandle the tremendous opportunity and responsibility before him. Yet the temptation to the one who teaches constantly might be to speak with haste; or to slight his preparation. Erroneous concepts might be taught before they are thought. One instructor of teachers was heard to say to a large assembly of teachers, There isn-'t a person in this room that will not be teaching heresy in some form or another within the next two years.
Over eagerness to be teachers might tempt some to assume the responsibility carelessly. Sober preparation is as necessary in teaching as for a doctor approaching an operation. Although teaching is commissioned by Jesus, and without it Christianity could not grow, its execution is so influential upon others that some men might be tempted to view it as a great social and political opportunity rather than a sobering responsibility. James cautions against over eagerness to be teachers in view of the great responsibility involved and the dangerous weapon used. Although the tongue is used to win souls for Christ, and to teach the saints to observe all things in Christ, the tongue can also be misused. It is as potent when misused as when used correctly. A great portion of chapter three is used to impress the reader with the enormity of the power of the tongue.
Thank God for my tongue. But God help me that I use such a magnificent power against sin and unrighteousness and not against man and the work of God. God help me to see the true nature of the enemy; the principalities and powers of evil, and may my tongue ever bring forth praise unto God and help unto man. If by teaching I may be enabled to influence people for Christ, then God grant that I take the responsibility soberly and with great care! For wisdom I pray that I might know how.
Then I-'ll never be a teacher, you may affirm.
But let me remind any who think to avoid condemnation through avoiding responsibility: God instructed the older women to teach the younger. God instructed the elders to be apt to teach. God instructed parents to teach their children, and condemned parents who did not do so. Although the rabbi (teacher) referred to here can be a teacher resident in a congregation, or a travelling missionary, James in no way indicates that the teacher is an officer within the church. Rather, he is one who takes on a work and a responsibility. To try to avoid entirely the responsibility of teaching might in some ways be comparable to the person who says, I fear to become a Christian lest I should backslide and my later state as a sinner be worse than my present state as a sinner.