The Teacher and the Tongue

James 3:1-2

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, because you know that we will be judged more strictly. For we all stumble in many ways. If someone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect individual, able to control the entire body as well.

James continues his "practical theology" with a focus on teachers; however, the problem he addresses is certainly not limited to those who take on a teaching role. This passage introduces an extended teaching about the importance of guarding the tongue.

It is important not to separate verse 1 from the remainder of the passage. The Greek construction of the verses makes James' point very clear: Individuals should be cautious about becoming teachers, because teachers incur a stricter judgment. Knowing that we all stumble in many ways should cause us to be careful about the types of positions we seek. James' extended example on the tongue as a key source of stumbling certainly doesn't mean that speech is the only way in which a teacher can stumble, but in his typical pattern of statement-example, he wants us to see that this is certainly one way.

James is clearly not teaching that there should be no "teachers". Instead, he is warning people about the extra level of scrutiny they will receive - from God Himself - if they take on this role. Clearly, the church needs teachers: Eph. 4:11 tells us that God gave teachers to the church as a gift (along with evangelists, prophets, pastors, and apostles).

However, we must remember that James writes to a Jewish-Christian audience. To Jews, the "rabbi" or "teacher" was an exalted position of authority. Even after coming to know Christ, many wanted to be known as "teachers of the law", but according to Paul they didn't know what they were talking about (1 Tim. 1:7). Throughout the New Testament, cautions abound to protect the church from authoritative-style leaders:

• Jesus told His disciples that the path to greatness is found through servanthood. (Luke 22:26)
• Paul observed that the least visible parts of the body were often the most needed. (1 Cor. 12:22-25)
• The author of Hebrews taught that leaders would give an account for their work to the Lord (Heb. 13:17)
• John taught that the Holy Spirit, not someone of "higher spirituality", would lead them to knowledge, and that knowledge was available to all Christians equally. (1 John 2:26-27)
• James tells his audience that teachers will have a greater judgment. (James 3:1)

Thus, anyone who teaches should do so from a place of servanthood, with a profound sense of humility, and with an awareness of the judgment that will come. Teachers, like all of us, should watch out for areas where they might stumble -- including that biggie, speech.

James has really already introduced this theme in James 1:19 when he tells us to be "slow to speak". Here, he begins an extended discussion of the dangers of the tongue. This applies as one of the areas where teachers can stumble, obviously -- false teaching, a careless word overheard by a new Christian, and many other examples underscore the risks of speaking in a teaching capacity.

However, James quickly makes clear that this section is not only for teachers. "We all stumble", he says, and then uses an example that everyone can relate to, because to not stumble in our speech is a sign of full maturity -- and James knows that no one would claim to be a fully mature Christian. In fact, our awareness of why controlling the tongue could be an indication of other types of self-control needs no exposition - we've all experienced the head-slapping moment of "Why on earth did I say THAT." Possibly no human experience is more universal! And that is precisely James' point as he introduces this next section - one that reminds us that we truly don't have the right to 'speak our mind'.