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Selected Verse: James 3:1 - Strong Concordance
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Jas 3:1 |
Strong Concordance |
My [3450] brethren [80], be [1096] not [3361] many [4183] masters [1320], knowing [1492] that [3754] we shall receive [2983] the greater [3187] condemnation [2917]. |
| |
King James |
My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
DANGER OF EAGERNESS TO TEACH, AND OF AN UNBRIDLED TONGUE: TRUE WISDOM SHOWN BY UNCONTENTIOUS MEEKNESS. (Jam. 3:1-18)
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 (Jam 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 (Jam 2:14-26) was all that is required, prompted "many" to set up as "teachers," as has been the case in all ages of the Church. At first all were allowed to teach in turns. Even their inspired gifts did not prevent liability to abuse, as James here implies: much more is this so when self-constituted teachers have no such miraculous gifts.
knowing--as all might know.
we . . . greater condemnation--James in a humble, conciliatory spirit, includes himself: if we teachers abuse the office, we shall receive greater condemnation than those who are mere hearers (compare Luk 12:42-46). CALVIN, like English Version, translates, "masters" that is, self-constituted censors and reprovers of others Jam 4:12 accords with this view. |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
My 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 rendered "masters" (διδάσκαλοι didaskaloi) should have been rendered "teachers." It is so rendered in Joh 3:2; Act 13:1; Rom 2:20; Co1 12:28-29; Eph 4:11; Ti1 2:11; Ti1 4:3; Heb 5:12; though it is elsewhere frequently rendered master. It has, however, in it primarily the notion of "teaching" (διδάσκω didaskō), even when rendered "master;" and the word "master" is often used in the New Testament, as it is with us, to denote an instructor - as the "school-master."
Compare Mat 10:24-25; Mat 22:16; Mar 10:17; Mar 12:19, et al. The word is not properly used in the sense of master, as distinguished from a servant, but as distinguished from a disciple or learner. Such a position, indeed, implies authority, but it is authority based not on power, but on superior qualifications. The connection implies that the word is used in that sense in this place; and the evil reprehended is that of seeking the office of public instructor, especially the sacred office. It would seem that this was a prevailing fault among those to whom the apostle wrote. This desire was common among the Jewish people, who coveted the name and the office of "Rabbi," equivalent to that here used, (compare Mat 23:7), and who were ambitious to be doctors and teachers. See Rom 2:19; Ti1 1:7. This fondness for the office of teachers they naturally carried with them into the Christian church when they were converted, and it is this which the apostle here rebukes. The same spirit the passage before us would rebuke now and for the same reasons; for although a man should be willing to become a public instructor in religion when called to it by the Spirit and Providence of God, and should esteem it a privilege when so called, yet there would be scarcely anything more injurious to the cause of true religion, or that would tend more to produce disorder and confusion, than a prevailing desire of the prominence and importance which a man has in virtue of being a public instructor. If there is anything which ought to be managed with extreme prudence and caution, it is that of introducing men into the Christian ministry. Compare Ti1 5:22; Act 1:15-26; Act 13:2-3.
Knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation - (μεῖζον κρὶμα meizon krima. Or rather, "a severer judgment;" that is, we shall have a severer trial, and give a stricter account. The word here used does not necessarily mean "condemnation," but "judgment, trial, account;" and the consideration which the apostle suggests is not that those who were public teacher would be condemned, but that there would be a much more solemn account to be rendered by them than by other men, and that they ought duly to reflect on this in seeking the office of the ministry. He would carry them in anticipation before the judgment-seat, and have them determine the question of entering the ministry there. No better "stand-point" can be taken in making up the mind in regard to this work; and if that had been the position assumed in order to estimate the work, and to make up the mind in regard to the choice of this profession, many a one who has sought the office would have been deterred from it; and it may be added, also, that many a pious and educated youth would have sought the office, who has devoted his life to other pursuits. A young man, when about to make choice of a calling in life, should place himself by anticipation at the judgment-bar of Christ, and ask himself how human pursuits and plans will appear there. If that were the point of view taken, how many would have been deterred from the ministry who have sought it with a view to honor or emolument! How many, too, who have devoted themselves to the profession of the law, to the army or navy, or to the pursuits of elegant literature, would have felt that it was their duty to serve God in the ministry of reconciliation? How many at the close of life, in the ministry and out of it, feel, when too late to make a change, that they have wholly mistaken the purpose for which they should have lived! |
| The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917] |
masters
Teachers, knowing that we shall have the more severe judgment.
Compare (Mar 12:40). |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Masters (διδάσκαλοι)
Literally, and better, teachers, with a reference to the exhortation to be slow to speak (Jam 1:19). Compare Co1 14:26-34. James is warning against the too eager and general assumption of the privilege of teaching, which was not restricted to a particular class, but was exercised by believers generally. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| Be not many teachers - Let no more of you take this upon you than God thrusts out; seeing it is so hard not to offend in speaking much. Knowing that we - That all who thrust themselves into the office. Shall receive greater condemnation - For more offences. St. James here, as in several of the following verses, by a common figure of speech, includes himself: we shall receive, - we offend, - we put bits, - we curse - None of which, as common sense shows, are to be interpreted either of him or of the other apostles. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
Be 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 never called, and never can call, because he has never qualified them for the work, who earnestly wish to get into the priest's office. And of this kind, in opposition to St. James, we have many masters - persons who undertake to show us the way of salvation, who know nothing of that ways and are unsaved themselves. These are found among all descriptions of Christians, and have been the means of bringing the ministerial office into contempt. Their case is awful; they shall receive greater condemnation than common sinners; they have not only sinned in thrusting themselves into that office to which God has never called them, but through their insufficiency the flocks over whom they have assumed the mastery perish for lack of knowledge, and their blood will God require at the watchman's hand. A man may have this mastery according to the law of the land, and yet not have it according to the Gospel; another may affect to have it according to the Gospel, because he dissents from the religion of the state, and not have it according to Christ. Blockheads are common, and knaves and hypocrites may be found everywhere. |
12 There is [2076] one [1520] lawgiver [3550], who [3588] is able [1410] to save [4982] and [2532] to destroy [622]: who [5101] art [1488] thou [4771] that [3739] judgest [2919] another [2087]?
42 And [1161] the Lord [2962] said [2036], Who [5101] then [686] is [2076] that faithful [4103] and [2532] wise [5429] steward [3623], whom [3739] his lord [2962] shall make ruler [2525] over [1909] his [846] household [2322], to give [1325] them their portion of meat [4620] in [1722] due season [2540]?
43 Blessed [3107] is that [1565] servant [1401], whom [3739] his [846] lord [2962] when he cometh [2064] shall find [2147] so [3779] doing [4160].
44 Of a truth [230] I say [3004] unto you [5213], that [3754] he will make him [846] ruler [2525] over [1909] all [3956] that he [846] hath [5224].
45 But and [1161] if [1437] that [1565] servant [1401] say [2036] in [1722] his [846] heart [2588], My [3450] lord [2962] delayeth [5549] his coming [2064]; and [2532] shall begin [756] to beat [5180] the menservants [3816] and [2532] maidens [3814], and [5037] to eat [2068] and [2532] drink [4095], and [2532] to be drunken [3182];
46 The lord [2962] of that [1565] servant [1401] will come [2240] in [1722] a day [2250] when [3739] he looketh [4328] not [3756] for [4328] him, and [2532] at [1722] an hour [5610] when [3739] he is [1097] not [3756] aware [1097], and [2532] will cut [1371] him [846] in sunder [1371], and [2532] will appoint [5087] him his [846] portion [3313] with [3326] the unbelievers [571].
14 What [5101] doth it profit [3786], my [3450] brethren [80], though [1437] a man [5100] say [3004] he hath [2192] faith [4102], and [1161] have [2192] not [3361] works [2041]? can [1410] [3361] faith [4102] save [4982] him [846]?
15 If [1437] [1161] a brother [80] or [2228] sister [79] be [5225] naked [1131], and [2532] destitute [3007] [5600] of daily [2184] food [5160],
16 And [1161] one [5100] of [1537] you [5216] say [2036] unto them [846], Depart [5217] in [1722] peace [1515], be ye warmed [2328] and [2532] filled [5526]; notwithstanding [1161] ye give [1325] them [846] not [3361] those things which are needful [2006] to the body [4983]; what [5101] doth it profit [3786]?
17 Even [2532] so [3779] faith [4102], if [3362] it hath [2192] not [3362] works [2041], is [2076] dead [3498], being alone [2596] [1438].
18 Yea [235], a man [5100] may say [2046], Thou [4771] hast [2192] faith [4102], and I [2504] have [2192] works [2041]: shew [1166] me [3427] thy [4675] faith [4102] without [1537] thy [4675] works [2041], and I [2504] will shew [1166] thee [4671] my [3450] faith [4102] by [1537] my [3450] works [2041].
19 Thou [4771] believest [4100] that [3754] there is [2076] one [1520] God [2316]; thou doest [4160] well [2573]: the devils [1140] also [2532] believe [4100], and [2532] tremble [5425].
20 But [1161] wilt [2309] thou know [1097], O [5599] vain [2756] man [444], that [3754] faith [4102] without [5565] works [2041] is [2076] dead [3498]?
21 Was [1344] not [3756] Abraham [11] our [2257] father [3962] justified [1344] by [1537] works [2041], when he had offered [399] Isaac [2464] his [846] son [5207] upon [1909] the altar [2379]?
22 Seest thou [991] how [3754] faith [4102] wrought [4903] with his [846] works [2041], and [2532] by [1537] works [2041] was [5048] faith [4102] made perfect [5048]?
23 And [2532] the scripture [1124] was fulfilled [4137] which saith [3004], [1161] Abraham [11] believed [4100] God [2316], and [2532] it was imputed [3049] unto him [846] for [1519] righteousness [1343]: and [2532] he was called [2564] the Friend [5384] of God [2316].
24 Ye see [3708] then [5106] how that [3754] by [1537] works [2041] a man [444] is justified [1344], and [2532] not [3756] by [1537] faith [4102] only [3440].
25 Likewise [3668] [1161] also [2532] was [1344] not [3756] Rahab [4460] the harlot [4204] justified [1344] by [1537] works [2041], when she had received [5264] the messengers [32], and [2532] had sent them out [1544] another [2087] way [3598]?
26 For [1063] as [5618] the body [4983] without [5565] the spirit [4151] is [2076] dead [3498], so [3779] faith [4102] without [5565] works [2041] is [2076] dead [3498] also [2532].
2 For [1063] in many things [4183] we offend [4417] all [537]. If any man [1536] offend [4417] not [3756] in [1722] word [3056], the same [3778] is a perfect [5046] man [435], and able [1415] also [2532] to bridle [5468] the whole [3650] body [4983].
2 As [1161] they [846] ministered [3008] to the Lord [2962], and [2532] fasted [3522], the Holy [40] Ghost [4151] said [2036], [1211] Separate [873] me [3427] [5037] Barnabas [921] and [2532] Saul [4569] for [1519] the work [2041] whereunto [3739] I have called [4341] them [846].
3 And [5119] when they had fasted [3522] and [2532] prayed [4336], and [2532] laid [2007] their hands [5495] on [2007] them [846], they sent them away [630].
15 And [2532] in [1722] those [5025] days [2250] Peter [4074] stood up [450] in [1722] the midst [3319] of the disciples [3101], and said [2036], [5037] (the number [3793] of names [3686] together [1909] [846] were [2258] about [5613] an hundred [1540] and twenty [1501],)
16 Men [435] and brethren [80], this [5026] scripture [1124] must [1163] needs have been fulfilled [4137], which [3739] the Holy [40] Ghost [4151] by [1223] the mouth [4750] of David [1138] spake before [4277] concerning [4012] Judas [2455], which [3588] was [1096] guide [3595] to them that took [4815] Jesus [2424].
17 For [3754] he was [2258] numbered [2674] with [4862] us [2254], and [2532] had obtained [2975] part [2819] of this [5026] ministry [1248].
18 Now [3303] [3767] this man [3778] purchased [2932] a field [5564] with [1537] the reward [3408] of iniquity [93]; and [2532] falling [1096] headlong [4248], he burst asunder [2997] in the midst [3319], and [2532] all [3956] his [846] bowels [4698] gushed out [1632].
19 And [2532] it was [1096] known [1110] unto all [3956] the dwellers [2730] at Jerusalem [2419]; insomuch as [5620] that [1565] field [5564] is called [2564] in their [846] proper [2398] tongue [1258], Aceldama [184], that is to say [5123], The field [5564] of blood [129].
20 For [1063] it is written [1125] in [1722] the book [976] of Psalms [5568], Let [1096] his [846] habitation [1886] be [1096] desolate [2048], and [2532] let [2077] no man [3361] dwell [2730] therein [1722] [846]: and [2532] his [846] bishoprick [1984] let [2983] another [2087] take [2983].
21 Wherefore [3767] of these [5130] men [435] which have companied [4905] with us [2254] all [3956] the time [5550] that [1722] [3739] the Lord [2962] Jesus [2424] went [1831] in [1525] and [2532] out [1831] among [1909] us [2248],
22 Beginning [756] from [575] the baptism [908] of John [2491], unto [2193] that same day [2250] that [3739] he was taken up [353] from [575] us [2257], must [1163] one [1520] be ordained [1096] to be a witness [3144] with [4862] us [2254] of his [846] resurrection [386].
23 And [2532] they appointed [2476] two [1417], Joseph [2501] called [2564] Barsabas [923], who [3739] was surnamed [1941] Justus [2459], and [2532] Matthias [3159].
24 And [2532] they prayed [4336], and said [2036], Thou [4771], Lord [2962], which knowest the hearts [2589] of all [3956] men, shew [322] whether [3739] [1520] of [1537] these [5130] two [1417] thou hast chosen [1586],
25 That he may take [2983] part [2819] of this [5026] ministry [1248] and [2532] apostleship [651], from [1537] which [3739] Judas [2455] by transgression fell [3845], that he might go [4198] to [1519] his own [2398] place [5117].
26 And [2532] they gave forth [1325] their [846] lots [2819]; and [2532] the lot [2819] fell [4098] upon [1909] Matthias [3159]; and [2532] he was numbered [4785] with [3326] the eleven [1733] apostles [652].
22 Lay [2007] hands [5495] suddenly [5030] on [2007] no man [3367], neither [3366] be partaker [2841] of other [245] men's sins [266]: keep [5083] thyself [4572] pure [53].
7 Desiring [2309] to be [1511] teachers of the law [3547]; [3361] understanding [3539] neither [3383] what [3739] they say [3004], nor [3383] whereof [4012] [5101] they affirm [1226].
19 And [5037] art confident [3982] that thou thyself [4572] art [1511] a guide [3595] of the blind [5185], a light [5457] of them which are in [1722] darkness [4655],
7 And [2532] greetings [783] in [1722] the markets [58], and [2532] to be called [2564] of [5259] men [444], Rabbi [4461], Rabbi [4461].
19 Master [1320], Moses [3475] wrote [1125] unto us [2254], If [3754] [1437] a man's [5100] brother [80] die [599], and [2532] leave [2641] his wife [1135] behind him, and [2532] leave [863] no [3361] children [5043], that [2443] his [846] brother [80] should take [2983] his [846] wife [1135], and [2532] raise up [1817] seed [4690] unto his [846] brother [80].
17 And [2532] when he was gone forth [1607] into [1519] the way [846] [3598], there came [4370] one [1520] running [4370], and [2532] kneeled [1120] to him [846], and asked [1905] him [846], Good [18] Master [1320], what [5101] shall I do [4160] that [2443] I may inherit [2816] eternal [166] life [2222]?
16 And [2532] they sent out [649] unto him [846] their [846] disciples [3101] with [3326] the Herodians [2265], saying [3004], Master [1320], we know [1492] that [3754] thou art [1488] true [227], and [2532] teachest [1321] the way [3598] of God [2316] in [1722] truth [225], [2532] neither [3756] carest [3199] thou [4671] for [4012] any [3762] man: for [1063] thou regardest [991] not [1519] [3756] the person [4383] of men [444].
24 The disciple [3101] is [2076] not [3756] above [5228] his master [1320], nor [3761] the servant [1401] above [5228] his [846] lord [2962].
25 It is enough [713] for the disciple [3101] that [2443] he be [1096] as [5613] his [846] master [1320], and [2532] the servant [1401] as [5613] his [846] lord [2962]. If [1487] they have called [2564] the master of the house [3617] Beelzebub [954], how much [4214] more [3123] shall they call them of his [846] household [3615]?
12 For [2532] [1063] when for [1223] the time [5550] ye ought [3784] to be [1511] teachers [1320], ye have [2192] need [5532] that one teach [1321] you [5209] again [3825] which [5101] be the first [746] principles [4747] of the oracles [3051] of God [2316]; and [2532] are become such as [1096] have [2192] need [5532] of milk [1051], and [2532] not [3756] of strong [4731] meat [5160].
3 Forbidding [2967] to marry [1060], and commanding to abstain from [567] meats [1033], which [3739] God [2316] hath created [2936] to [1519] be received [3336] with [3326] thanksgiving [2169] of them which believe [4103] and [2532] know [1921] the truth [225].
11 Let [3129] the woman [1135] learn [3129] in [1722] silence [2271] with [1722] all [3956] subjection [5292].
11 And [2532] he [846] gave [1325] some [3303], apostles [652]; and [1161] some, prophets [4396]; and [1161] some, evangelists [2099]; and [1161] some, pastors [4166] and [2532] teachers [1320];
28 And [2532] [3739] God [2316] hath set [5087] some [3303] in [1722] the church [1577], first [4412] apostles [652], secondarily [1208] prophets [4396], thirdly [5154] teachers [1320], after that [1899] miracles [1411], then [1534] gifts [5486] of healings [2386], helps [484], governments [2941], diversities [1085] of tongues [1100].
29 Are all [3361] [3956] apostles [652]? are all [3361] [3956] prophets [4396]? are all [3361] [3956] teachers [1320]? are all [3361] [3956] workers of miracles [1411]?
20 An instructor [3810] of the foolish [878], a teacher [1320] of babes [3516], which hast [2192] the form [3446] of knowledge [1108] and [2532] of the truth [225] in [1722] the law [3551].
1 Now [1161] there were [2258] in [2596] the church [1577] that was [5607] at [1722] Antioch [490] certain [5100] prophets [4396] and [2532] teachers [1320]; as [5037] Barnabas [921], and [2532] Simeon [4826] that was called [2564] Niger [3526], and [2532] Lucius [3066] of Cyrene [2956], and [5037] Manaen [3127], which had been brought up [4939] with Herod [2264] the tetrarch [5076], and [2532] Saul [4569].
2 The same [3778] came [2064] to [4314] Jesus [2424] by night [3571], and [2532] said [2036] unto him [846], Rabbi [4461], we know [1492] that [3754] thou art [2064] a teacher [1320] come [2064] from [575] God [2316]: for [1063] no man [3762] can [1410] do [4160] these [5023] miracles [4592] that [3739] thou [4771] doest [4160], except [3362] God [2316] be [5600] with [3326] him [846].
40 Which devour [2719] widows [5503]' houses [3614], and [2532] for a pretence [4392] make [4336] long [3117] prayers [4336]: these [3778] shall receive [2983] greater [4055] damnation [2917].
26 How [5101] is it [2076] then [3767], brethren [80]? when [3752] ye come together [4905], every one [1538] of you [5216] hath [2192] a psalm [5568], hath [2192] a doctrine [1322], hath [2192] a tongue [1100], hath [2192] a revelation [602], hath [2192] an interpretation [2058]. Let [1096] all things [3956] be done [1096] unto [4314] edifying [3619].
27 If [1535] any man [5100] speak [2980] in an unknown tongue [1100], let it be by [2596] two [1417], or [2228] at the most [4118] by three [5140], and [2532] that by [303] course [3313]; and [2532] let [1329] one [1520] interpret [1329].
28 But [1161] if [3362] there be [5600] no [3362] interpreter [1328], let him keep silence [4601] in [1722] the church [1577]; and [1161] let him speak [2980] to himself [1438], and [2532] to God [2316].
29 [1161] Let [2980] the prophets [4396] speak [2980] two [1417] or [2228] three [5140], and [2532] let [1252] the other [243] judge [1252].
30 If [1161] [1437] any thing be revealed [601] to another [243] that sitteth by [2521], let [4601] the first [4413] hold his peace [4601].
31 For [1063] ye may [1410] all [3956] prophesy [4395] one by one [2596] [1520], that [2443] all [3956] may learn [3129], and [2532] all [3956] may be comforted [3870].
32 And [2532] the spirits [4151] of the prophets [4396] are subject [5293] to the prophets [4396].
33 For [1063] God [2316] is [2076] not [3756] the author of confusion [181], but [235] of peace [1515], as [5613] in [1722] all [3956] churches [1577] of the saints [40].
34 Let [4601] your [5216] women [1135] keep silence [4601] in [1722] the churches [1577]: for [1063] it is [2010] not [3756] permitted [2010] unto them [846] to speak [2980]; but [235] they are commanded to be under obedience [5293], as [2531] also [2532] saith [3004] the law [3551].
19 Wherefore [5620], my [3450] beloved [27] brethren [80], let [2077] every [3956] man [444] be [2077] swift [5036] to [1519] hear [191], slow [1021] to [1519] speak [2980], slow [1021] to [1519] wrath [3709]: