Amplified Bible
James 3:1
1Not 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].
James 3:1 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
- New International Version (NIV)Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
- New King James Version (NKJV)My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.
Context of James 3:1
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]. 2For we all stumble and sin in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says [never saying the wrong thing], he is a perfect man [fully developed in character, without serious flaws], able to bridle his whole body and rein in his entire nature [taming his human faults and weaknesses]. 3Now if we put bits into the horses’ mouths to make them obey us, we guide their whole body as well.
Read all of James 3James 3:1 word by word
Μὴ πολλοὶ διδάσκαλοι γίνεσθε, ἀδελφοί μου, εἰδότες ὅτι μεῖζον κρίμα λημψόμεθα.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Myἐγώegō · I/weG1473
- brethrenἀδελφόςadelphos · brotherG80
- beγίνομαιginomai · to beG1096
- notμήmē · notG3361
- manyπολύςpolus polos · muchG4183
- mastersδιδάσκαλοςdidaskalos · teacherG1320
- knowingεἴδωeidō · to perceive: understandG1492
- thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
- we shall receiveλαμβάνωlambanō · to takeG2983
- the greaterμέγαςmegas · greatG3173
- condemnationκρίμαkrima · judgmentG2917
Cross-references for James 3:1
- Malachi 2:12As for the man who does this, may the Lord cut off from the tents of Jacob to the last man those who do this [evil thing], awake and aware, even the one who brings an offering to the Lord of hosts.
- Matthew 9:11When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, “Why does your Master eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
- Matthew 10:24“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor is a bond-servant above his master.
- Matthew 23:8But do not be called Rabbi (Teacher); for One is your Teacher, and you are all [equally] brothers.
- John 3:10Jesus replied, “You are the [great and well-known] teacher of Israel, and yet you do not know nor understand these things [from Scripture]?
- Acts 13:1Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets [who spoke a new message of God to the people] and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod [Antipas] the tetrarch, and Saul.
- Romans 2:20and [that you are] a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the [spiritually] childish, having in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth—
- 1 Corinthians 12:28So God has appointed and placed in the church [for His own use]: first apostles [chosen by Christ], second prophets [those who foretell the future, those who speak a new message from God to the people], third teachers, then those who work miracles, then those with the gifts of healings, the helpers, the administrators, and speakers in various kinds of [unknown] tongues.
- Ephesians 4:11And [His gifts to the church were varied and] He Himself appointed some as apostles [special messengers, representatives], some as prophets [who speak a new message from God to the people], some as evangelists [who spread the good news of salvation], and some as pastors and teachers [to shepherd and guide and instruct],
- 1 Timothy 2:7And for this matter I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying [when I say this]—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
- 2 Timothy 1:11for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher [of this good news regarding salvation].
- 1 Peter 5:3not lording it over those assigned to your care [do not be arrogant or overbearing], but be examples [of Christian living] to the flock [set a pattern of integrity for your congregation].
- Leviticus 10:3Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord said: ‘I will be treated as holy by those who approach Me, And before all the people I will be honored.’ ” So Aaron, therefore, said nothing.
- Ezekiel 3:17“Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman to the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from My mouth, warn them from Me.
- Ezekiel 33:7“Now as for you, son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so you shall hear a message from My mouth and give them a warning from Me.
- Luke 6:37“ Do not judge [others self-righteously], and you will not be judged; do not condemn [others when you are guilty and unrepentant], and you will not be condemned [for your hypocrisy]; pardon [others when they truly repent and change], and you will be pardoned [when you truly repent and change].
Commentaries on James 3:1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1Be 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 labor, and hate the rabbin's office. This caution is still necessary; there are multitudes, whom God has…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1My 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…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1Chapter Outline Cautions against proud behaviour, and the mischief of an unruly tongue. (1-12) The excellence of heavenly wisdom, in opposition to that which is worldly. (13-18) Verses 1-12 We are taught to dread an unruly tongue, as one of the greatest evils. The affairs of mankind are thrown into confusion by the tongues of men. Every age of the world, and every condition of life, private or public, affords examples of this. Hell has more to do in…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1In the early church, becoming a teacher was one way to improve social status (1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11; 1 Timothy 5:17; compare Acts 5:34). This honor was especially valuable for Christians who were often treated poorly as outsiders in their society (James 2:6–7). However, James warns about rushing to become a teacher without understanding the responsibility. Teachers have great influence through their words. Their speech can either help build…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-18True Wisdom Shown by Uncontentious Meekness. 1. be not--literally, "become not": taking the office too hastily, and of your own accord. many--The office is a noble one; but few are fit for it. Few govern the tongue well (Jas 3:2), and only such as can govern it are fit for the office; therefore, "teachers" ought not to be many. masters--rather, "teachers." The Jews were especially prone to this presumption. The idea that faith (so called) without works…Read the comment
Topics related to James 3:1
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on James 3
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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