Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.
How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!
In the ESV Bible this section has been given the title of, “Taming the Tongue.” That makes sense as you read the above verses and those that follow. Whereas that is true, the first verse also gives us some insight into the apostle James’ intent about this section. In the days of the early church we did not have established churches with established pastors or established methods for hiring pastors. Today, if you needed a pastor to teach the church you can actually go to a popular employment site and post your needed position. In the meantime you might have a member of the church fill in to teach the body.
In the days James is writing (his letter may be one of the first letters written to the church) you did not have many church members that well versed in how the Old Testament told about Jesus. You also didn’t, yet, have a formal New Testament Bible. So, “teachers” would wander from church body to church body to “teach.” This is James’ point with this section. The tongue is used to teach. It can do some great things. It can do some great harm. Yes, you can apply this entire section on how you use the tongue in every day work and play. But, that is not the context of the passage. James is particularly addressing those in the church who could and do set the church in a particular doctrinal direction. They need to make sure their tongues are bridled and their words are not driven by the winds of false doctrine. They can, with their words, set the entire Body of Christ on fire. Just one or two false lines of doctrine and the entire membership of the church can be set ablaze.
Teachers, therefore, will be judged by a greater measure by God. Read 2 Peter 2 if you don’t see this. The false teachers that Peter addresses where using their position for fitly gain:
2 Peter 2:14-16 (ESV)
They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children! Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing, but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet's madness.
So, we see that men were using their position, as they have for a long time, for greed and gain. Let’s make sure that we have teachers that are doing the teaching in the right way and for the right motives.
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