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Answer
James 3:1 states, “Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” This verse is situated between James’ teachings on the type of faith that results in good works and his cautions about our speech, so we should interpret it in that context. Those who desire to lead in the church are held to a higher standard than other believers because of the significant influence teachers have. Their actions and words carry more weight than those who are not teaching. If teachers stumble, they can lead many astray; thus, God will evaluate teachers of the Word based on the impact they had on those they sought to lead.
First Timothy 3:2–10 provides further insight into God’s expectations for those who lead through teaching. This passage outlines the qualifications that elders must meet before being entrusted with the care of God’s church. One of these requirements is that he must be “able to teach” (verse 2). Elders serve as teachers, and God indicates that they will face stricter judgment due to the gravity of their role.
The “judgment” mentioned in James 3:1 pertains to the varying levels of rewards that teachers will receive. While a believer’s salvation is assured through God’s grace, future rewards are earned through faithful service «Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. », (Luke 12:33). All Christians will appear before Christ to have their works tested with fire (1 Corinthians 3:11-15). Christ will reward us based on our service to Him (Matthew 10:41; Matthew 16:27; Ephesians 6:8). Teachers who have been faithful to proclaim truth and demonstrate godly living will receive rewards accordingly. They will hear their Master say, “Well done, good and faithful servant” «And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. », (Luke 19:17). But those who desired to become teachers because of selfish motives or those who used their positions as a source of manipulation will realize they’ve already received their reward on earth—fleshly gratification (see Matthew 6:2-4). Such teachers will be judged more strictly and will stand empty-handed before their King.
On the judgment day, every secret thing will be brought to light (Luke 8:17-18). The motives of our hearts will be exposed, and there will be no more pretense or spiritual deception. Teachers of the Word will be judged more strictly. Those who have not been faithful in their calling and have led others astray will be exposed. Sadly, many of those teachers will be found to be lost themselves. Their desire for influence and power motivated them to pose as pastors and Bible teachers while denying the very Christ of whom they spoke (see Romans 1:21-22). Paul speaks of false teachers who view “godliness as a means of gain” «perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. », (1 Timothy 6:5). Their judgment will be harsher because of the people they led astray.y. Many of these false teachers populate the airwaves, spreading lies and flaunting ungodly, selfish lifestyles. They would do well to look closely at James 3:1.
God has blessed the church with many teachers, and He expects those teachers to develop and use their gift to advance His kingdom (1 Corinthians 14:3; 2 Timothy 4:2). Teachers should voluntarily hold themselves to a higher standard, knowing that they will be judged more strictly. Teachers should follow the counsel of Galatians 5:13, which says, “Through love serve one another.” Faithful teachers willingly give up personal rights in the “gray areas” in order to set themselves apart from anything questionable. If we are unwilling to limit our own freedoms out of love for those we teach, we may not be ready to assume the role of teacher (see 1 Corinthians 8:9-13).
Given that teachers will be judged more strictly, there are probably many who have assumed a teaching role within a church who have no business doing so. They are neither gifted to teach nor morally qualified. It is those teachers to whom James 3:1 is addressed: “Not many of you should become teachers.” Before anyone aspires to the role of teacher, he or she should ask themselves the following questions:
1. Am I continuing to learn? Good teachers are good learners. Those with the gift of teaching also love to continue learning. The best teaching arises from the heart of someone who is passionate about what God is teaching him or her «Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. », (2 Timothy 2:15).
2. Has God called me to teach? Many churches, desperate for volunteers, will place anyone who doesn’t say no in a teaching position.
While everyone should contribute at times in various serving roles, such as in the nursery, serving meals, or collecting offerings, no one who is not gifted and called by God should assume the responsibility of a Bible teacher. We can discern His calling through a persistent prompting in our hearts toward a specific ministry. This calling will be affirmed by leaders who recognize that gifting.
Is my personal life free from besetting sins? Although none of us will be entirely free from sin while in these bodies, we should have victory over besetting sins—those flaws that arise from blatant, overwhelming, and continuous temptations. Alcohol or drug abuse, sexual immorality, and anger issues are examples of besetting sins that must be addressed before taking on the role of a teacher. Besetting sins are those that can easily cause others to stumble “Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!”, (Luke 17:1). A teacher with persistent, besetting sins will face a more severe judgment due to the impact of those sins.
“We must all stand before Christ to be judged” “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”, (2 Corinthians 5:10, NLT), and our rewards will be based on how faithfully we endured in this life for the glory of God. The Lord knows what He has entrusted to each of us and expects a yield on that investment (Matthew 25:14-46). Teachers will encounter a stricter judgment on that day of accountability. Those who misused their position or distorted the gospel message will be judged accordingly. Teachers who persevered in truth
Those who love and serve where God has placed them will receive His blessing, reward, and the joy of hearing from Jesus Himself, “Well done, good and faithful servant. . . . Come and share your master’s happiness!” «His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. », (Matthew 25:21).
