TEACHERS AND ACCOUNTABILITY
James 3.1
"Let not many of you become teachers." Many people like to teach and give advises but not all of them are of good, practical, or beneficial. And so, among the Christians who spent tenths of thousands of dollars in seminary, for their right to teach, but benefit only themselves in monetary gain. So, it seems James also noticed this trend among early Christians and issued this firm statement.
Paul also touched the same issue but from a different perspective and a different angle, Paul also went as far as forbid women to teach in the church (1Corinthians14.34-36) (1Timothy 2.11-14).
And of course, the most sensitive issue here is about teaching for monetary gain, covered by Paul extensively. Other places of the Bible also touched this issue (Micah 3.11) (Acts 20.33-35) (John 10.1-12-13-16) (2Corinthians 2.17, 11.7-8) (1Timothy 3.3.8, 6.3-5) (Titus 1.10-11-16) (1Peter 5.2-4).
Here James concentrated more on the quality of teaching. Knowing that not everybody among Christians able to understand the complex and deep meaning of the Gospel and its presentation by teachers, James warned at the end such people who jump to teach but themselves seriously lack understanding of the Word of GOD, their ambition and ability to teach became very questionable.
"As such we shall incur a stricter Judgment." James absolutely right in his warning, because to whom more given from them will be ask more and they will be hold accountable for that they do, much more than from others (Luke 12.48). See also related verses in: (Matthew 13.12, 25.29) (Mark 4.25) (Luke 8.18, 19.26).
Luke 12.48
48. "And from everyone who has been given much shall much be required, and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more."
Also, another parallel theme can be extracted from this statement of James, it is the subject of pride. People tend out of their personal ego and personal arrogance and pride, who think about themselves more than should, also like to teach and take higher position above the rest of their brothers in Christ. This usually happen in the godless world in which people trying to take higher position of dominance and power above others by all means possible, but it is not should be happen in the Christian world.
Such opportunists trying out do one another in their "preaching" with *"bombastic" words and convoluted meaningless theology in order to impress their audience.
*2Peter 2.17-19
"Arrogant words of vanity." KSB.
"Bombastic nonsense." NRSV
"Great swelling words of vanity." KJV.
"Great swelling words of emptiness." Gideons.
"Boastful words." NIV.
"Loud boasts of folly." ESV.
"They make proud and stupid statements." GNB
One Statement of Christ also echoes this subject of foolish pride, "he who is least among you, this is the one who is great." (Luke 9.48).
As a conclusion to all of what written in this chapter the words of wisdom of James resonate even more. The wisdom of this godless world is earthly and demonic (15), and "where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing." (16).
But true Wisdom of the knowledge of GOD and His Word always comes from Above (17), from GOD Himself to those who are meek and humble, who have no personal self-importance attitude, or self-centered, selfish interests in teaching Gospel. GOD hates proud people (Proverbs 8.13).
1Corinthians 1.20-21
20. "Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not GOD made foolish the wisdom of the world?
21. Since in the wisdom of GOD the world through its wisdom did not come to know GOD, GOD was well-pleased through the foolishness of the Message (of the Gospel) preached, to save those who believe (in the Gospel of Christ)."