What does this verse mean?

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

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 verse saying?

Another translation says, "Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly." - James 3:1 NIV

"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 [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]." - James 3:2 KJV

The next verses warn of the power of the tongue. It appears that this is directly connected to the first verse: with greater position in the church, comes greater responsibility. There must be total surrender of the tongue to the Spirit, not giving in to words coming from bitter envy and selfish ambition.

Here are the rest of the verses that go with this:

"Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! [In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire.]" - James 3:3-5 KJV

"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. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 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." - James 3:6-9 KJV

"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 3:10-12 KJV

"Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work." - James 3:13-16 KJV

Another translation: "If you are wise and understand God's ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don't cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God's kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind." - James 3:13-16 NLT

"But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated [willing to yield to others], full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality [favoritism], and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace." - James 3:17-18 KJV