Page 20 - General Epistles (James through Jude) Textbook

Why does James advise those with ambition to become teachers to think
deeply about that before becoming one? He does not state the reason why.
With the problems he has already revealed to us (favoritism [Jas. 2:1-13]), it is
possible to think that many in that church wanted to become leaders/rabbis
because that position was “an honored figure among the Jews, and perhaps
some Christians were attracted to the prestige the position would bring
them.” Also, “Jesus was called “rabbi” (Mark 9:5; John 1:38) or “teacher”
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(Matt. 8:19; 12:38; Mark 5:35; 9:17, 38; Luke 7:40; 11:45; John 20:16), which showed the enormous
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respect the populace had for him.” If that is true, then, James needed to advise them to count the cost
of becoming leaders. Notice that he did not stand in the way of anyone with those ambitions. He made
available the precautions. In his precaution, he told them that those who teach will be judged more
strictly. Him being able to have walked or heard Jesus teach, it is no wonder to suggest that he could
have Jesus Christ teach the following: “Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments,
and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps
and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:19 [NASB]).

The reason why James did not want any aspirant for leadership to seek the teaching office is that “we
who teach will be judged more strictly.” James included himself because he probably has some degree
of grasp on some serious consequences of his ministry. That divine judgement could imply exposure of
those leaders to temptations to sin due to their continuous use of their tongue in an unworthy manner,
being “held to a higher standard since they have greater responsibility due to their office, and lastly,
putting oneself in a place where one may face “greater condemnation” due to the misuse of the tongue
and the damaging of the church. Further, James does not say that they would not achieve perfection in
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the use of the tongue. He leaves a room for anyone to achieve perfection.

Three Images that Highlight the Power of the Tongue (Jas. 3:3-6).
First, James likens the tongue to a bit and a horse. So, when a bit is placed into the mouth of the horse,
then, the horse can be under complete control. Therefore, the whole animal can be able to obey.
Second, he likens the tongue to a rudder which is used in big ships to direct a big ship where it should
go. Most ships (if not all) face challenges when moving. One of the most dreadful ones is that one
caused by strong winds. However, to overcome those strong winds, the pilot has to optimize the rudder.
So, if the pilot can successfully get hold of the rudder, success and safety of cargo and passengers would
be assured to him/her. In the same way, the tongue makes great boast. Now, some take this to imply a
positive thing. Some take it as a negative thing. Contextually, the later implication appears to be the one
James has in mind. Third, the tongue is likened to a fire that can set a great forest on fire by just a small
spark while setting itself on fire as well.

So, the tongue has the power to control the whole of anything, especially human beings as those are the
ones James has in mind. Further, by likening it to a rudder that is able to change the direction of a big
ship, the tongue can change the direction of a human being to either bad or good place. By likening it to
a small spark that can set not only a forest, but a great forest, the tongue, if not used wisely, can bring
about destructive results.

It seems clear that James wants to emphasize on the fact that while small (and seemingly insignificant),
if optimized, in either a good or bad way, the tongue can produce results beyond human
comprehension. John D. Barry, et al observes:

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