Darby Bible
James 3:1
1Be not many teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive greater judgment.
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 many teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive greater judgment. 2For we all often offend. If any one offend not in word, he [is] a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body too. 3Behold, we put the bits in the mouths of the horses, that they may obey us, and we turn round their whole bodies.
Read all of James 3James 3:1 word by word
Μὴ πολλοὶ διδάσκαλοι γίνεσθε, ἀδελφοί μου, εἰδότες ὅτι μεῖζον κρίμα λημψόμεθα.Read the interlinear
Cross-references for James 3:1
- Malachi 2:12Jehovah will cut off from the tents of Jacob the man that doeth this, him that calleth and him that answereth; and him that offereth an oblation unto Jehovah of hosts.
- Matthew 9:11And the Pharisees seeing [it], said to his disciples, Why does your teacher eat with tax-gatherers and sinners?
- Matthew 10:24The disciple is not above his teacher, nor the bondman above his lord.
- Matthew 23:8But ye, be not ye called Rabbi; for one is your instructor, and all ye are brethren.
- John 3:10Jesus answered and said to him, Thou art the teacher of Israel and knowest not these things!
- Acts 13:1Now there were in Antioch, in the assembly which was [there], prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius the Cyrenian, and Manaen, foster-brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
- Romans 2:20an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and of truth in the law:
- 1 Corinthians 12:28And God has set certain in the assembly: first, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers; then miraculous powers; then gifts of healings; helps; governments; kinds of tongues.
- Ephesians 4:11and he has given some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some shepherds and teachers,
- 1 Timothy 2:7to which I have been appointed a herald and apostle, (I speak [the] truth, I do not lie,) a teacher of [the] nations in faith and truth.
- 2 Timothy 1:11to which I have been appointed a herald and apostle and teacher of [the] nations.
- 1 Peter 5:3not as lording it over your possessions, but being models for the flock.
- Leviticus 10:3And Moses said to Aaron, This is what Jehovah spoke, saying, I will be hallowed in them that come near me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron was silent.
- Ezekiel 3:17Son of man, I have appointed thee a watchman unto the house of Israel, and thou shalt hear the word from 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; and thou shalt hear the word from my mouth, and warn them from me.
- Luke 6:37And judge not, and ye shall not be judged; condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned. Remit, and it shall be remitted to you.
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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