James 3:1 - Exposition

(1) Warning . Be not many teachers . The warning is parallel to that of our Lord in Matthew 23:8 , seq. , "Be not ye called Rabbi; for one is your Teacher [ διδάσκαλος , and not, as Textus Receptus, καθηγητής ], and all ye are brethren." Comp. also 'Pirqe Aboth,' 1.11, "Shemaiah said, Love work and hate lordship ( תונברה )." The readiness of the Jews to take upon them the office of teachers and to set up as "guides of the blind, teachers of babes," etc., is alluded to by St. Paul in Romans 2:17 , seq. , and such a passage as 1 Corinthians 14:26 , seq. , denotes not merely the presence of a similar tendency among Christians, but also the opportunity given for its exercise in the Church.