James 3:1

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

Be not manyof youteachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment. 2For 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. 3Now if we put the horses’ bridles into their mouths that they may obey us, we turn about their whole body also.

James 3:1 word by word

Μὴ πολλοὶ διδάσκαλοι γίνεσθε, ἀδελφοί μου, εἰδότες ὅτι μεῖζον κρίμα λημψόμεθα.Read the interlinear

• manyπολύςpolus polos · muchG4183
• teachersδιδάσκαλοςdidaskalos · teacherG1320
• receiveλαμβάνωlambanō · to takeG2983
• judgmentκρίμαkrima · judgmentG2917

Cross-references for James 3:1

• Malachi 2:12Jehovah will cut off, to the man that doeth this, him that waketh and him that answereth, out of the tents of Jacob, and him that offereth an offering unto Jehovah of hosts.
• Matthew 9:11And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Teacher with the publicans and sinners?
• Matthew 10:24A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his lord.
• Matthew 23:8But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your teacher, and all ye are brethren.
• John 3:10Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou the teacher of Israel, and understandest not these things?
• Acts 13:1Now there were at Antioch, in the church that wasthere, prophets and teachers, Barnabas, and Symeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen the foster-brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
• Romans 2:20a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having in the law the form of knowledge and of the truth;
• 1 Corinthians 12:28And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, divers kinds of tongues.
• Ephesians 4:11And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
• 1 Timothy 2:7whereunto I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I speak the truth, I lie not), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
• 2 Timothy 1:11whereunto I was appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher.
• 1 Peter 5:3neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves ensamples to the flock.
• Leviticus 10:3Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that Jehovah spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.
• Ezekiel 3:17Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.
• Ezekiel 33:7So thou, son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.
• Luke 6:37And judge not, and ye shall not be judged: and condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: release, and ye shall be released:

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

• Commandments
• Humility
• Minister, Christian
• Pride

In the dictionaries

• Course
• Governor
• Obey
• Offend
• Ought
• Tame
• Master
• Papyrus

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