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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - James 3:1 - 3:1
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Be not many teachers (mē polloi didaskaloi ginesthe). Prohibition with mē and present middle imperative of ginomai. “Stop becoming many teachers” (so many of you). There is thus a clear complaint that too many of the Jewish Christians were attempting to teach what they did not clearly comprehend. There was a call for wise teachers (Jam 2:13.), not for foolish ones. This soon became an acute question, as one can see in 1 Cor. 12 to chapter 14. They were not all teachers (1Co 12:28.; 1Co 14:26). The teacher is here treated as the wise man (Jam 3:13-18) as he ought to be. The rabbi was the teacher (Mat 23:7.; Joh 1:38; Joh 3:10; Joh 20:16). Teachers occupied an honourable position among the Christians (Eph 4:11; Act 13:1). James counts himself a teacher (we shall receive, Jam 3:1) and this discussion is linked on with Jam 1:19-27. Teachers are necessary, but incompetent and unworthy ones do much harm.
Heavier judgment (meizon krima). “Greater sentence.” See Mar 12:40; Luk 20:47 for perrisoteron krima (the sentence from the judge, Rom 13:2). The reason is obvious. The pretence of knowledge adds to the teacher’s responsibility and condemnation.