“A disciple is not more important than his teacher, nor a slave more important than his master.
James 3:1 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition) Not many of you should be teachers, my brothers, because you [should] know that we [teachers] will be judged more strictly. More versionsKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. Amplified Bible - Classic Edition NOT MANY [of you] should become teachers (self-constituted censors and reprovers of others), my brethren, for you know that we [teachers] will be judged by a higher standard and with greater severity [than other people; thus we assume the greater accountability and the more condemnation]. American Standard Version (1901) Be not many of you teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment. Common English Bible My brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers, because we know that we teachers will be judged more strictly. Catholic Public Domain Version My brothers, not many of you should choose to become teachers, knowing that you shall receive a stricter judgment. Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version Be ye not many masters, my brethren, knowing that you receive the greater judgment. |
“A disciple is not more important than his teacher, nor a slave more important than his master.
“But it is too bad for you hypocritical experts in the Law of Moses and [you] Pharisees! [It is] because you withhold the kingdom of heaven from people, for you do not enter it yourselves, nor [do you] allow those who are trying to enter it to get in.
And when the Pharisees saw this they said to His disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and worldly people?”
So, he called his property manager in and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in a [full] report of [all] your financial transactions, for you are not working for me anymore.’
And do not pass [hypocritical] judgment [on other people. See Matt. 7:1-5] and you will not receive such judgment [on yourselves]. And do not condemn [others] and you will not be condemned [yourselves]. Release people [i.e., from guilt for offending you] and you will be released [i.e., by God (?)]
Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of the Israelites and [yet] you do not understand these things?
Now in the church at Antioch there were [these] prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Symeon, called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, the foster-brother of Herod the Tetrarch [i.e., governor of Galilee], and Saul.
Now God has placed some [ministries] in the church [as follows]: First apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, then [those able to perform] miracles, then gifts [enabling people] to perform [supernatural] healings, [those able] to help the needy, [wise] administrators, [and] those able to speak in different languages.
For we must all appear in front of the judgment bar of Christ, so that each one of us may receive what is due him for what he had done while in his [physical] body [i.e., on earth], whether it be good or bad.
And He gave some people [the gift of being] apostles; and some people prophets; and some people evangelists; and some people pastors [i.e., elders] and teachers,
They want to be teachers of the Law of Moses, even though they do not understand what they are saying or what they are affirming with [such] confidence.
I was appointed to be a preacher [of this testimony] and an apostle and teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles. (I am telling the truth and not lying).
[You should] obey your leaders [Note: This probably refers to church elders] and submit to their oversight, for they look out for [the welfare of] your souls as men who will give an accounting [for your spiritual progress]. [Be obedient], so that they will be able to do this joyfully and not with sorrow, for that would be unprofitable to you.
You people [already] know this [or, “you should know this”], my dearly loved brothers. However, every person should be quick to listen, slow to talk and slow in becoming angry.
Praise and cursing come out of the same mouth! My brothers, these things should not be happening.
Do not act as dictators over the people you are assigned to care for, but [rather] serve as examples of how they ought to live.