Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
James 3:1
The human desire for status plagued the ancient Roman world.* In the historical context of James, some sought to find that status in becoming teachers within the church.* The early church lacked clear standards for selecting teachers (even Paul was questioned as to his authority).* The lack of standards combined with the apparent prestige of a teacher of the time (the closest equivalent would be the Jewish rabbis - a role that carried great honor and respect) created a dangerous environment for truth.*
Religious leaders in the time of James primarily held the responsibility of passing along sacred traditions.* The importance of this role translated to the early church and left James in a position to address an issue: many wanted to become teachers for the wrong reasons.* While being a teacher at the time of James was an important role, the ill effects of a false or immoral teachers were devastating, and James saw plenty.*
The reasons for James’ caution ring true today as he sets the stage for the dangers of an unbridled tongue: teachers are held accountable to a stricter level.* Why is this?
First, teachers use their tongues…. a lot. This increase in speech creates an increase in chances for sinning (as James clarifies in subsequent verses about the tongue). To be a teacher, the teacher puts themself at a higher risk of saying something incorrect, false, or foolish.*
Second, and related to the first, the possibility of leading another astray with a misunderstanding, misspoken word, or a falsehood is very real and compounded by the number of listeners/students.* The risk of leading others astray should not be taken lightly.
God calls us all to something, and all of us have responsibilities and consequences attached to that calling that are very real. James invites each of us, teachers or not, to approach those things that God set before us with humility. God asks us to consider the people that we are influencing around us. Our words matter.
Today, take a step.
Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to as God, “why do I want to do the things that I want to do?” Perhaps today God would have you walk cautiously and humbly in the calling He has for you. Maybe today God wants you to consider hard before asking to be a teacher. Perhaps today God wants you to consider those that you teach without realizing it.
Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.
Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.
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*Blomberg, C. L., & Kamell, M. J. (2008). James (Vol. 16, pp. 151–152). Zondervan.
Guthrie, G. H. (2006). James. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews–Revelation (Revised Edition) (Vol. 13, pp. 244–245). Zondervan.
Stulac, G. M. (1993). James (Jas 3:1–2). IVP Academic.
Moo, D. J. (2021). The Letter of James (D. A. Carson, Ed.; Second Edition, pp. 184–186). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
Nystrom, D. P. (1997). James (pp. 174–175). Zondervan Publishing House.