One thing I have been puzzled about is the tension between James 3:1 and Hebrews 5:12
Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment. (James 3:1)
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. (Hebrews 5:12)
Well at first glance it seems that these two texts are contradicting one another. One says that not many should not aspire to teaching because there will be a stricter judgement. The other says that one thing that naturally comes with maturity is to be teachers. These people weren't ready to be teachers because of their spiritual immaturity, but they should have been teaching. So how do these fit together? The Greek word will not help. It is the same Greek word used in both verses. I will let you guys help me on this one too. I know there are some exegetical geniuses out there that read my blog, so let er rip!
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4 comments:
First observation:
1. It is one thing to "be" a teacher, and another thing to "become" a teacher. We need to let context decide. It seems James is dealing with attitude and motive, and the writer to the Hebrews is dealing with role.
2. I think the verses are more consistant than you might think at first glance. With teaching comes greater responsibility and accountability. With maturity comes greater responsibility and accountability.
Just some thoughts. There is more to be said.
As I see it, much of James is a call to Christian conduct, and warnings of consequences if we don't heed those admonitions. In James 3 (immediately following the analogy;
body : faith, as spirit : works. In other words, a faith without works is dead) I believe the warning is necessary because the position of a teacher is such that he leads the body and is therefore held to a higher standard. Teachers should be those who don’t say things without first considering the consequences, for he will answer to God. Knowing he is not perfect (having weaknesses in other areas) he is to at least have the aforementioned ability, and be able to resist lusts of all different varieties.
In Hebrews 5, it describes a group who, “ought to be teachers”, but are not yet. They are described as: 1. Dull of hearing. 2. Need to be taught the basics (which may be referred to as the teaching in 5:1-6). 3. Unskilled in the word of righteousness. 4. Don’t have discernment of good & evil, being trained by practice. In verses 1-6, we see a contrast between the historical high priests, and Christ as the high priest; they both have their “designation” in common—so it follows, according to Hebrews, all should aspire to have the qualities opposite of those described in 11-14 (which description can be used to defines good teachers). According to James 3, be warned, examine yourself before taking on the mantle of teacher, for the judgment is greater. Perhaps a parallel could be made to the office of deacon and the fact that all Christians should aspire to be a “servant”, which is what the word deacon means. So, even though all Christians should be servant, not all are designated to the office of deacon; so also, all Christians should aspire to the description of a teacher (put forth in Heb. 5), but not all are designated to take on that mantle. Just some thoughts; what do you think?
jAsOn
Jason,
That is where I was going. My thinking was that being teachers in Hebrews is referring to basic discipleship which is required of all true Christians, whether you are gifted to do it or not. Deuteronomy 6, for instance, commands that parents teach their children diligently. If you've been a Christian for any length of time you should be able to teach others. This is just basic discipleship which is commanded of all believers. James 3, I think, is referring to one who teaches in the church, like an elder. So Hebrews is referring to informal, basic discipleship. James, more along the lines of the office or one who takes leadership in the church as one who teaches the body of Christ as God has gifted him to do so. That's about what I came up with. I love the inerrant word of God! Why do we ever neglect it?
Vinnie,
Do you still even check this thing?
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