Bible Discussion Thread

What is the cause why James says that be not many master? Or what is the situation?

John Joseph Sumao,

In James 3:1, James starts out by saying "My brethren." So he's talking to Jewish believers. He says be not many masters. The word masters is the word teachers. And the word "be" is literally the word become in the Greek text. That is very important!

He is not restraining called teachers to teach. Our English bibles say be not many teachers, but in the Greek text, it is literally do not become many teachers.

He's talking about the ambitious ones who want to teach. In the synagogue, when it came to the reading of scripture, they would ask someone to come up and read the scripture and give a homily or a message on the scripture for that week.

And so people in the congregation would prepare all week long so they could be the teacher. So James says, my brethren, do not become many teachers, knowing that we shall receive (And notice the word "we" because James includes himself). James says we shall receive the greater condemnation.

There's more responsibility for those who teach. If a person is not called by God to be a teach God's word, they should not teach. A person should never go into the ministry out of their own human ambition. It has to be a calling from God. But as James is saying here, the teacher is going to held accountable for what he is teaching, and those who are in error are going to receive the greater condemnation.

I hope this helps!

Jesse I agree not everyone is called by God to be a minister, but those of us who believe can share the gospel there is a difference.

Dianne,

Was there something in my reply to the question that led you to feel as though I was trying to tell believers they shouldn't be sharing the gospel?

I'm confused at your response to my answer. I fully agree that there is a difference between someone being called to the ministry verses believers simply sharing the gospel.

Hopefully I did not give you the wrong impression. We as believers should be sharing the gospel as the Lord leads, and only as He leads. Anything else would be human effort which He will not bless!

Brother God Bless we understand each other.

Hi Jesse.

I was being humorous, We have had a teaching competition going on here lately.

"James says, my brethren, do not become many teachers, knowing that we shall receive (And notice the word "we" because James includes himself). James says we shall receive the greater condemnation."

The answer might bring an indictment on some of us that may need to leave the teaching to the teachers. so we left it alone altogether. However that certainly wouldn't include you.

Hey brother Spencer,

I didn't catch the humor at first but now I get it. I am not a pastor nor a Bible teacher. I was just trying to share my understanding of that piece of scripture because this person was looking for help.

Any one of us could have gave an answer. Whether it's the right answer or not, we all share things that we believe to be correct.

I think I may have given the wrong impression with my response to the original question?

Brother Jesse,

You gave a great response, And sharing the Gospel is also done by helping in some way, ORDERLY.

We should care about the on listener's and speak the truth and stop challenging the those speaking the truth. That's not done by the Spirit.

What was funny about that joke was every question on the site was answered but that one. When you gave the answer I couldn't resist.

Hi Brother Jesse.

Now you see why we left that question alone!! Lol.

Brother S. Spencer, I, like you, refrained from answering that question. Brother Jesse gave a very clear accurate explanation of 'masters/teachers', & he shared more than what I could have. However, on the original question by John, I simply couldn't answer it: "what is the situation"? I spent a good deal of time poring over the Book of James, considering all the verses where James speaks about 'speech or speaking' in the context of the Jewish society & Judaism from which his readers came from, but could not find an accurate answer to share. So I, as you, withheld & trust that John has been blessed with Jesse's answer.

Hi Brother Chris.

I happened to not see it. but if I would have I would have left it behind.

I live in eastern time zone.

Once I realized you are 12hrs ahead

I try to leave Answers to you. forgive me for that. And I believe Brother Jesse is near the east coast so I try to leave the answering to him.

I believe this site has been gifted. The Lord gave them you guys and perhaps a few others to teach because your Wisdom simplicity and great communicating skills

And there are a few others.

However when I saw Jesse respond to a question I said they must have let one slip through the cracks, When I read the reply I then read the question,

I laughed because it wasn't a tough question because I have a good commentary. but I wouldn't have dared to give that answer after looking it up.

Thanks brother. I appreciate reading all the answers given by all; makes very interesting reading at times, to see how we look at & interpret Scripture. If you offer comment & I feel that it was well written (as they usually are) & I have nothing special to add, I just hold back & move down the list. Thank you again brother & for all your contributions to help others.

Brother Spencer,

I'm not sure I'm following what you mean?