Cork Free Presbyterian Church, 10 Briarscourt
(Annex) Shanakiel, Cork, Ireland
Pastor: Colin Maxwell. Email: colin.maxwell@fpcmission.org
READ: JAMES 3:1-18 [BEING JUDGED AS A TEACHER]
There are two main views as to the object of this passage:
Both are based on the fact that the masters (v1) are those who desire
to teach others - "Teacher" would have been a more direct translation
(Although we do talk about school-masters i.e. teachers)
It is not talking about the master/slave relationship
[i] Some of the commentators think it refers to those who desired to thrust
themselves into the office of teacher/church i.e. they had high pulpit
ambitions and saw themselves being able to pontificate on the many
issues which would arise - James says: Think again
[ii] Others, including Calvin and the compilers of the notes in the Geneva
Bible, believe that James is tackling rather those who had acquired a
judgmental spirit and who were always trying to put people right
James says; Be careful! Reminds us of two other verses:
Words of the Lord Jesus: Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with
what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye
mete, it shall be measured to you again. (Matthew 7:1-2)
Words/Paul: Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art
that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest
thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. But we are sure
that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which
commit such things. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them
which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the
judgment of God? (Romans 2:1-3)
Perhaps there is an element of both, for the pulpit can be used to
advance the most unworthy condemnation and if so, we have a double kind
of condemnation
Maybe we can cover both ideas as we look at the passage, although as
our outline suggests, we are happier with the thought of it relating to
those who would either thrust themselves into or approach a
little too casually the role of teacher in the church
4 main thoughts
1) THE NECESSITY OF TEACHERS IN THE CHURCH:
A/ If James guards the pulpit from either usurpers/careless preachers
who do not realise its implications, then do not think that he is
despising the office/preacher or seeking to discourage any worthy
incumbent
He guards the office since it is so precious/needful to the people/God
B/ Importance/office is seen in the fact that God has appointed it
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (Ephesians 4:11)
Not only has God appointed the office - but He constantly fills it with
called/worthy occupiers:
Now there were in the church that was at
Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was
called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought
up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. (Acts 13:1)
These were all good men who discerned the Lord's call to teach
Another was young Timothy and he was distinctly called upon, not only
to command and teach (1 Timothy 4:11) but again, Paul said to him:
Things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit
thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. (2
Timothy 2:2)
Note qualification: It is faithful men who shall be able to teach others
C/ True that the Bible also says: But the anointing which ye have
received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you:
but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and
is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. (1
John 2:27) but such does not refer to all human teachers, since
John himself was obviously teaching them, but rather to the Gnostics
who insisted they alone had the true teachings
The setting up of and the filling up of the office/teacher (as seen)
shows that this is an important part of church life and needs protected
D/ Christians who do have teachers quickly err
How many must echo David's words: I have gone astray like a lost sheep;
seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments. (Psalm 119:176)
The enemy/souls is diabolically clever and certain men can creep
unawares into the very church/Jesus Christ and make merchandise of
Christians with feigned words (2 Peter 2:3)
Even discovering them (never mind refuting them) doesn't come naturally
to the Christian and it will not come ordinarily without that Christian
being taught of God used men
You might read of simple believers in days/Reformation etc., who
confounded false prophets/theologians etc., without any human help -
that is not the ordinary run/things and in a day of access to many
teaching aids (compiled by teachers) we should not look for these
things
2) THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF TEACHERS IN THE CHURCH:
A/ James points out that there is a greater judgement (Perhaps a better
word than condemnation) for those who seek to teach others
[i] Condemnation would certainly be applicable to those who would
unfairly judge others, esp. if they do the same things themselves
(Already quoted: Romans 2:1-3) Self condemnation goes a long way
[ii] Condemnation would certainly be applicable to those who foist themselves upon the office of teacher in the church
[iii] Judgement might be a better word for those who are truly called
to the work of teaching others - we are still called to give an account
B/ Every Christian must give an account of themselves: Romans 14:12
We must account for what teaching we were prepared to tolerate
But the teacher bears a heavier responsibility:
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for
they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they
may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for
you. (Hebrews 13:17)
C/ Why should the teacher bear the greater responsibility?
(Assuming that he has God's call and is overall faithful to it)
[i] He has the greater privileges - his ability to teach is God given
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one
teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God;
and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
(Hebrews 5:12)
Ability to teach is a sign of spiritual growth and this is God's doing
The greater the privilege, then the more accountable we become
[ii] The teacher has greater influence in the church and, humanly speaking, can make or break it
This is why there is such a fight on to keep false teachers out/church
What words of condemnation met the Church/Thyatira who suffered Jezebel to teach - the whole church was being infected
It is bad to hold to false/wrong doctrine yourself, but to teach others?
Seriousness of the words of Paul: Take heed therefore unto yourselves,
and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you
overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his
own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous
wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own
selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away
disciples after them. (Acts 20:28-30)
Up side of it all is that in faithfully teaching God's truth, we can
earn His "Well done, thou good and faithful servant" as we witness the
growth/grace and the God glorifying usefulness of those whom we teach
3) THE DRAWBACKS OF TEACHERS IN THE CHURCH:
A/ The greatest drawback to any Christian, in whatever role, but (naturally) especially in teaching, is his tongue! vs2-12
Tongue was designed to glorify God - part/body (1 Corinthians 6:20)
Often exhorted to sing God's praise (Psalms) and speak God's truth
But, as James reminds us, the tongue is fallen too
B/ Not hard to see how these verses might indeed relate more easily to
those critical Christians who overstep the mark and say all manner of
things which they ought not to say, but please remember, that some of
them can make it into the pulpit and say the same things
Sadly: Many an undeserved lashing came from a Christian pulpit, under the shameful pretence that it was a "word from the Lord"
Note the following about the tongue:
[i] Only a perfect man offends not in speech - Damage limitation
[ii] We can tame/harness many things - the rest/body (v2)
powerful horses (v3) and wild beasts (v7) great ships (v4) - but not
the tongue
[iii] The smallness of the tongue belies its great strength (v5)
Especially its ability to boast - nothing like the pulpit to boost ego
[iv] It can do all the damage of a raging fire (v6) destroy/hurt/kill
[v] It can defile the whole body (v6) and therefore negate any positive things we have managed besides
[vi] It is a deadly poison (v8) - once injected, the damage is done and perhaps can never be undone
[vii] It is an unruly evil (v8) - full of deadly poison (v9) and when set on fire, it is the very fire of hell itself (v6)
[viii] We have used our tongues to curse men (v9) and they are
represented as being like a fountain sending forth bitter water (v10)
or salt water (v12) and so of use to none
[ix] Meanwhile (here's the pulpit again) we have used the same tongue to bless God (v9-10) and to provide good things too
C/ James is as human as any one else - note the use of the "we" in the
whole passage, including v1 but with all the allowances which
practicality demands for human weakness/sin…word still is: Ought
not to be (v10)
4) THE REQUIREMENTS OF TEACHERS IN THE CHURCH:
A/ This is picked up in vs13-18 where the teacher in particular (and
every Christian in general) requires wisdom To know what to
say/when/how to say it (and when to say nothing)
[i] Must be male (v13) cp. 1 Timothy 2:12 (in the general church)
[ii] Must be endued with knowledge (v13) Unique Greek word there
The usual Greek word for endued carries the thought of "being clothed"
We are looking indeed for a wise man - wise in his character
[iii] He is best from among the congregation (v13) Great to have
visiting preachers - but there are things which the resident
pastor/teacher should only deal with
[iv] Where bitterness etc., does rise up in the teacher - let him not
glory/boast in the same. Don't be a noted Pulpit gunslinger!
[v] Lie not against the truth (v14) Let the Bible dictate what is said
[vi] Note the seriousness/charge (Lie against/truth) and to where
such supposed wisdom comes from and what is fosters (v14-16)
What a warning! Remember back to the exhortation of 1:19!
[vii] Contrast with the wisdom of the man/God and its source/results
(v17-19) and seek it and then there will be peace in the church
We want to return to this passage again
THE END