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

Do not become teachers in large numbers, my brothers, since you know that we who are teachers will incur a stricter judgment. 2For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to rein in the whole body as well. 3Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their whole body as well.

James 3:1 word by word

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

• Do not becomeγίνομαιginomai · to beG1096
• teachersδιδάσκαλοςdidaskalos · teacherG1320
• in largeπολύςpolus polos · muchG4183
• my brothersἀδελφόςadelphos · brotherG80
• will incurλαμβάνωlambanō · to takeG2983
• stricterμέγαςmegas · greatG3173
• judgmentκρίμαkrima · judgmentG2917

Cross-references for James 3:1

• Malachi 2:12As for the man who does this, may the Lord eliminate from the tents of Jacob everyone who is awake and answers, or who presents an offering to the Lord of armies.
• Matthew 9:11And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, “Why is your Teacher eating with the tax collectors and sinners?”
• Matthew 10:24“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master.
• Matthew 23:8But as for you, do not be called Rabbi; for only One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers and sisters.
• John 3:10Jesus answered and said to him, “You are the teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?
• Acts 13:1Now there were prophets and teachers at Antioch, in the church that was there: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
• Romans 2:20a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, possessing in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth--
• 1 Corinthians 12:28And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, and various kinds of tongues.
• Ephesians 4:11And He gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, some as pastors and teachers,
• 1 Timothy 2:7For this I was appointed as a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
• 2 Timothy 1:11for which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher.
• 1 Peter 5:3nor yet as domineering over those assigned to your care, but by proving to be examples to the flock.
• Leviticus 10:3Then Moses said to Aaron, “It is what the Lord spoke, saying, ‘By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy, And before all the people I will be honored.’” So Aaron, therefore, kept silent.
• Ezekiel 3:17“Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman for 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 appointed you as a watchman for the house of Israel; so you will hear a message from My mouth and give them a warning from Me.
• Luke 6:37“Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned.

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