THURSDAY
Let’s move now to the main body of the letter. In chapter 3 James expounds on what he has introduced in chapter 1 about the words we say.
James 3:1–5a 1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.
This teaching is framed initially in the context of becoming a teacher (v. 1). He advises against many aspiring to be teachers because they will be judged more strictly in regards to their words. He is likely referring to judgment from God here but he may also have in mind the judgment of people. He is here not likely referring to eternal condemnation but the reality that teachers are held to a higher standard to accurately convey the truth of God to the congregation. Teaching requires a higher accountability as it has so much power for good or evil.
In v. 2 James concedes the “nobody’s perfect” sentiment that we talked about on Monday. This side of heaven we all sin (”stumble”) in many ways. Here he broadens out to everyone. Nobody, even teachers, will fully reach perfection this side of glory but, as I said on Monday, that doesn’t mean we throw up our hands and go on sinning in our speech. Everything in this book directs us to strive for perfection knowing we will not attain it fully this side of heaven, but experiencing more of the fullness of life in Christ in the process. This is absolutely worth it. Knowing that we will never be perfect in what we say, it is wise practice to follow primarily the true, perfect teacher, Jesus, and hold the words of all other teachers, including me, accountable to his words.
In vv. 3-5 James uses the bridle analogy as in chapter 1 to emphasize the power of the tongue. Such a small thing can have such a large impact on a large animal. Then he adds another metaphor—a rudder to a ship. Similarly, ships are incredibly large and the wind incredibly powerful compared to the small rudder that controls their direction. His point here, seems to be that the words one speaks although seemingly small in comparison to the rest of one’s life can have a massive impact.
In summarizing this passage New Testament scholars Craig Blomberg and Mariam Kamell write, “James’s point is that people can either control their tongues or let their tongues control them. - Craig L. Blomberg and Mariam J. Kamell, James, vol. 16, Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008), 156.
There may be connotations here to the importance of good teaching to the life of the church as well. Remember James begins this section with an admonition that not many should become teachers. In the next verses he says that a great forest is set ablaze by a small fire. Verse 5 references boasting of great things. In the next few sections he talks about how selfish ambition and envy are root causes of every evil practice and disorder (3:16). The wisdom from heaven is peace-loving, pure, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy, impartial and sincere (3:17). The context then could very well be referring to how the teachers of the church ought to speak and the healthy culture in the church this type of speech produces. However, I think his primary emphasis is on the power that the tongue has to destroy the inner life of the speaker.
Therefore, in heeding James’s warning here of the power in the words we say, we must be discerning of the words teachers say and what it reveals of their character and the direction of their inner life. I once heard of a mega church pastor who was known among his staff for saying harsh things to them. He would lose his temper and go off on someone if they gave the guest speaker the wrong stool to sit on during an on-stage interview. This pastor was later revealed to have had numerous conduct violations that disqualified him from ministry. His words revealed a corrupt character. This seems to be the lesson of the church today. We cannot disconnect celebrity pastors’ words from their character. Wisdom must characterize the life of the teacher.