WHY TEACHERS?

WHY TEACHERS?

Text: James 3:1-8, Ephesians 4:11-12

BACKGROUND:

James was writing to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad (1:1). This implies that the OR are Jewish Christians living outside Palestine.

His emphasis was on the essentials of obedient living in accordance with the true intent of the law of God - NNIBD

I couldn't help but think deeply on James' opening statement in chapter 3. He said, "not many of you should become teachers." The first question you may want to ask is why? But before you do, let us critically understand what he meant. I'll give a few definitions of the original meaning of some words used. The first is:

Become - Greek| Gi-no-mai - To be married, to be ordained to be, certified to be.

Teacher - Greek| Did-as'-ka-los - Instructor, master, teacher, doctor (SBC)

With this definitions, we can now understand what James was saying. He wasn't saying not many should teach, no. He was originally saying, not many should be ordained or certified into the office of a teacher or an authority.

Ephesians 4:11 told us about the 5fold ministry with the intent to build the church into perfection.

So now let's answer the question of why should not many become teachers.

‭James 3:1 AMP

[1] Not many [of you] should become teachers [serving in an official teaching capacity], my brothers and sisters, for you know that we [who are teachers] will be judged by a higher standard [because we have assumed greater accountability and more condemnation if we teach incorrectly]. 

https://bible.com/bible/1588/jas.3.1.AMP

James said teachers serving in an official teaching capacity will be judged by higher standard of they teach incorrectly. One of the major way of building and strengthening the church into maturity is by teaching sound doctrine.

James went further to say that we stumble in many ways. Let's mention a few: 

1) thought 2) action 3)words

He wanted us to see how vital the teaching ministry is to the stability of the church, so he said if we don't stumble in what we say then we won't stumble in what we do. James is saying that, if the church can teach the right message without compromisijg the truth, then the church will grow into perfection.

He also described how we use a bridle to control a horse, knowing that the bridle is only effective because of the bit above the lower jaw of the horse's mouth. He is saying we should set a bit on our mouth, because the mind controls the body but the mouth commands the body.

APPLICATION:

Teaching the truth is very important in building the church into maturity/perfection. If we get it wrong then the whole body is in trouble, but if gotten right then the body will be perfect. I will stand for and teach the truth in every capacity I find myself.