A Warning to Teachers (v.1)
James changes course with a warning to teachers that builds off of faith and works. The text remains symmetrical with the rest of the Epistle. Kurt A. Richardson comments that “He (James) was addressing “his brothers” in the faith and offered one of the most noteworthy bits of advice for the church in the entire New Testament.”
A General Warning to All
Although this verse is directed to teachers, those who are not teachers must heed these words with caution. Why? Because those in whom they promote, ask, or call will fall under greater judgment from God. It is no small task to be asked to do, for a life lived that parallels how Christ lived is in order. This does not mean absolute perfection, for no sinful man can achieve this status on his own, but it does mean that a life lived in faithfulness according to the cause of Christ is what must be expected of every teacher.
This warning was to promote self-examination/reflection amongst the brothers. Each one was to look inside his heart, see where he stood, and determine, without bias, if such an office was suitable. Just because it may not have been suitable in the moment does not mean that it may or may not be suitable in the future.
The purpose of the warning was to weed out those who were not fit for the office. This could be for a variety of means, living in sin, being immature in the faith, unconfessed sin, under church discipline, etc… The weeding out of men was, ultimately, for the betterment and purity of the church. I ask, “Why intentionally place yourself to have to practice church discipline at some point if you do not have too?”
The warning is two-fold. It is both severe and a means of humility. James includes himself and every other current teacher by saying “we will receive.”
Faith and Works Implied of the Teacher
The teacher of verse 1 must have his faith and works in order as well as anyone (general application of faith and works in vv.14-26). The life of the teacher will be under scrutiny. Any teacher position could be inserted (Sunday School, Lord’s Day morning/evening, etc...)
The teacher is, clearly, a teacher of the Word of God. James’ placement of “my brothers” in verse 1 solidifies this. Only those who are in Christ would have any desire whatsoever to teach the Word of God. And as one commentator writes, “To be a teacher within the church is something for which one is recognized; it requires mastering the Scriptures and their application to faith and life” (Kurt A. Richardson).
A more specific example of the need of both faith and works is found in our Lord Jesus when He rebuked the Pharisees (Matthew 23:1–3 “Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; therefore all that they tell you, do and keep, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them.” Jesus rightly accuses them of their hypocrisy.
To counter this hypocrisy or to commit to faith and works is to the “One who is your Instructor, that is, Christ” (Matthew 23:10). The teacher of the Word of God looks to the ultimate Instructor, Christ.
Faith and works are implied as necessary because of the stricter (ESV/KJV greater, ASV heavier) judgment that the teacher WILL receive. This stricter judgment is guaranteed for the teacher. IOW, it is a promise. Jesus affirms this in Matthew 12:36–37 saying, ““But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.””
To Be A Teacher is not all Negative
This does not suggest that being a teacher is a negative thing or one that is most undesirable. Quite the contrary! Mounce suggests that a teacher, in this context, is a “gift to the church.”
Teachers are able to accumulate knowledge and wisdom to teach well. The writer of Hebrews speaks to the wisdom that the people had should have made them teachers, but other stumbling blocks existed.
Paul would concur with James in saying that teachers are needed and are a blessing. For it is “He Himself gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers” (Ephesians 4:11). So if Christ found it appropriate and a blessing to His church to have teachers, who is man to say otherwise.
The thrust of the text is to prayerfully consider teachers who hold such a position and to rightly inform them of the heavy weight that comes with performing the position.
James begins with a general statement in the beginning of verse 2 and boils it down to a specific statement which leads through to verse 5a.
Everyone’s Starting Place
Pulling no punches, James states the general truth applied to all men, Christian and unbeliever that is, every man stumbles or every man sins. There is not one who escapes this. Sin occurs from every man and it is carried out in a plethora of ways.
It could be said that so much sin occurs that no man is able to keep track of them all. Let alone for himself! A note of clarification is in order. In no way is James speaking of a tiny white lie or some other permissible means of minimizing sin. Every person begins life as a sinner (Solomon, as great and wise as he, recognized that every man is a sinner (1 Kings 8:46, Proverbs 20:9, Ecclesiastes 7:20), nor does Scripture as a whole refrain from this reality (Psalm 14:1-3, Isaiah 64:6, Romans 3:10)).
Stumbling in this context parallels with what is said in James 2:10. In short, there is no way around this truth as hard, painful, and difficult as it may be.
This does not give liberty for the Christian to continue sinning because all man is sinful even after salvation. The antidote to this way of thinking is found in 2 Peter 1:4-11.
This grim news is what makes the Gospel so amazing. May we relish in the gospel over and over, never tiring of the precious promises contained therein!
Boil it Down
James goes from general to specific. His focus is now on the speech that comes forth from a man. He gives a statement in verse 2 and two word pictures in verses 3-4. They are all written to press forth the same point.
What does it mean to be a perfect man? Surely, there is One who is truly perfect, our Lord Jesus Christ. Since no man can attain such a status on earth, what is the meaning?
The simple meaning is “complete” (Strong’s). Strong’s goes on saying this completeness is “in various applications of labor, growth being mental and character being moral.” Further Mounce defines being “perfect in some point of character, without shortcoming in respect of a certain standard.” There are a number of Biblical texts that show and further support these definitions (Matthew 5:48, 19:21, Colossians 4:12, and James 1:4b).
A perfect man in this context is one who shows his faith and works by the usage of his tongue evidenced in the way that he speaks!
Rewards/Privileges for the Perfect Man
There is great reward/incentive for the one who does not stumble in the use of his tongue. That reward/incentive is a self-controlled and disciplined body that follows. These two are interlinked. IOW, if the tongue is in line, the rest of the body will be also.
The tongue curbs the body (BSL/Strong’s). You might not think often of it but it is appropriate to do some self-reflection. Where have you seen your tongue reflect an outcome to your body? Maybe it is an order that you made at a restaurant? Maybe you ordered too much and didn’t feel good afterwards. Maybe you spoke the wrong words to someone leading to a physical altercation/mental breakdown? Or maybe it was words to a friend that led to a dissolution of the friendship? It could be that words spoken lifted someone up and therefore lifted you up. Or words spoken could have been the means to facilitate provision for someone else. There are many times in life that words spoken lead to bodily harm or great joy in one way or another.
There is a high privilege, exclusive for the one who is covered by the blood of Christ. The one who uses his tongue for righteousness (along with other works of obedience) as Psalm 15:1-2 says, “may sojourn in Your tent”…and “may dwell in Your holy mountain.” This is speaking of eternity! The one who is saved by Christ and follows that with a life that is lived in righteousness (Matthew 7:17a ““Even so, every good tree bears good fruit.”) The Psalmist continues in verse 3 that the one who does not slander is permitted to enter such a holy abode.
The Scripture is not short on examples of men who strived to live “perfect” lives.
David is an example of this in Psalm 39:1 “I said, “I will keep watch over my ways That I may not sin with my tongue; I will keep watch over my mouth as with a muzzle While the wicked are in my presence.”” And Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:26–27 “Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.”The question must be asked, “Do I speak in such a way that the self-control of my body is evident?”
Two Appropriate Word Pictures
Verses 3-4 enforce what James has said about the tongue in verse 2. Strikingly, these two examples are just as relevant today as they were when they were first written by James!
Psalm 32:9 is an interesting parallel to verse 3. Both references use horses and speak of bridling them. However, Psalm 32:9 speaks of being bridled as reserved for the one who “has no understanding.” The horse is controlled for a season, but as soon as the bridle is off, wildly and uncontrolled the horse then goes. So is it true for the boat, the moment the pilot leaves the controls of the boat in a storm, the boat goes off into uncontrollable chaos.
Another usage of bridling is found in Isaiah 37:29. Because Assyria went after the people of Judah (during the days of Hezekiah), they were really going against Yahweh God. Yahweh demonstrates His power over them by bridling them like a horse and returning them to their own land without afflicting Judah (who was much smaller than them) and subsequently King Sennacherib is killed by his sons in the process.
In short, self-control under the subjection of Christ is imperative for the life of the Christian.
Verse 5 as a whole seems to be written in a negative context. The second half of verse 5 is the initiation of the negativity. However, before we get to the negative (in two weeks) notice the general and neutral nature of the first half of verse 5.
How do we know the first half of verse 5 is neutral?
The word for boast is only found in verse 5. The other places that boasting is found such as 1 Corinthians 1:31 is used in a positive and uplifting way while James 4:16 is used in a negative and condemning way. You will notice that neither a positive or negative way of boasting is supported in verse 5a. The verse says that the tongue boasts of great things. Meaning that the tongue is powerful in its boasting regardless of what direction it goes. This is seen more clearly in James 3:9-10.
For example, James says that the tongue is a small part of the body. Does the tongue always speak good? Does it always speak evil? Does the tongue not express itself in times of good and in times of trial as our brain so dictates? Does the boat only operate in storms? Does the boat not run on a sunny day with no cloud in sight? How about the horse? Is a horse always bridled when being ridden? No. Is a horse always out of control? No. We have seen horses fenced in acting quite relaxed enjoying being outside.
All of this being said, it would be taking the first half of verse 5 out of context if we were to attribute the tongue’s boasting in one way or the other and fix it there. This is a general truth that James is bringing forth. That truth being the tongue is small like the bit and the rudder, yet it is in charge of a great entity, the human body.
The Sheer Weight of Boasting
To boast in verse 5 means “to lift up the neck” (Thayer). It is literally to be elevated over something else and not always in a proud manner. It is a declaration of power. There are 4 texts that speak of the power of the tongue. Forsake whether these texts are speaking in a positive or negative light. But consider the weight that the statements found in these Scriptures hold. The text are Psalm 10:3, 12:2-4, Proverbs 18:21, and Ezekiel 28:1-10.
