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"For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead"
(James 2: 26, R.V.).
The next section of the epistle develops this practical viewpoint by dealing with the
responsibility of teachers. We should remember the English word `master' used in the
A.V. of chapter 3: 1 was used in 1611 of teachers. We still talk about `school-masters'.
The word does not mean an employer. The Greek word didaskalos means a teacher and
should be so rendered in modern English. The R.V. and modern versions recognize this:
"Be not many teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment"
(James 3: 1, R.V.).
"Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, for you know that we who teach
shall be judged with greater strictness" (R.S.V.).
"Not many of you should act as teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who
teach will be judged more strictly" (N.I.V.).
There is no doubt whatsoever that the crying need today in Christian circles is for
reliable and well-equipped teachers. Yet, as James reminds us, this most important
Christian service is not to be undertaken lightly, because of the great responsibility to the
Lord that is involved. We have sometimes been amazed at the way some push forward to
teach and lead, and are inexperienced and ill-equipped themselves to take on such
responsible work. They are `untaught teachers' who can mislead others, however sincere
they may be. Every Christian teacher should remember the truth of James 3: 1 which is
truth for all time.
Those who teach should obviously know more than those taught, otherwise they have
no right to attempt to instruct others. The fact is, all truth brings responsibility in the
Lord's sight and the teacher, who thereby claims to have greater knowledge of the Word
of God, is more responsible to Him than others without this knowledge. Believers often
pray that the Lord will give them more light upon His Word of truth. But do they realize
that if this is granted their responsibility to the Lord is increased? We should not shrink
from praying like this; at the same time it is needful to remember all that is involved.
Teaching and expounding the Word of God is a wonderful ministry. But it is also a
solemn ministry, for the Lord does not take a light view of those who mislead others and
bring them into error.
From the thought of teaching James now proceeds to consider speaking in general. He
declares that we all stumble in our speech at times, yet the mark of perfection, or spiritual
maturity is shown by the way we speak:
"He that stumbleth not in word, the same is a perfect man (mature), able to bridle the
whole body also" (3: 2, R.V.).
The Word of God gives us many characteristics of the mature person from a spiritual
standpoint, but one that is often forgotten is controlling the tongue. Such a person can
only control his speech, but his whole body also, for the tongue is the hardest member of
the body to discipline. How often we have to regret things we have said! No wonder the
Lord Jesus declared "By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be