"My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation." - James 3:1 KJV

What is this verse saying?

Thayer’s Greek Lexicon defines the word that is translated as “masters” in this verse as “of those who in the religious assemblies of Christians undertook the work of teaching, with the special assistance of the Holy Spirit.”

The word translated as “condemnation” means “judgement.” According to Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, specifically for James 3:1, “God’s judgment upon men.”

So what is this saying?

It is saying that those that hold a position of teaching in the church will be judged more strictly.

What do the next verses say?

The next eleven verses are speaking about the tongue. This is the warning: those that are in the position of teaching in the church must take the utmost control of their tongue.

"For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body." - James 3:2 KJV

The word “perfect” in this verse, according to Vines, means “’complete,’ conveying the idea of goodness without necessary reference to maturity…”

Another translation of this verse says, “Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.” (NLT)

What is James’ warning?

"And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell." - James 3:6 KJV [“And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.” - NLT]

"But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing.

“My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

“Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh." - James 3:8-12 KJV