Jam 3:1 | TNotes | STEP | 3:1 Becoming teachers was one way to improve social status in the early church (1 Cor 12:28 ; Eph 4:11 ; 1 Tim 5:17 ; cp. Acts 5:34 ). Such honor would compensate for the shame imposed upon Christians as social outsiders (Jas 2:6-7 ). But the conspicuous role of teachers symbolizes the power of human speech to benefit or harm the church.

b1 Cor 12:28►

cEph 4:11►

d1 Tim 5:17►

eActs 5:34►

fJas 2:6-7►

‏ James 3:1

3:1 ^a Becoming teachers was one way to improve social status in the early church (1 Cor 12:28 ^b; Eph 4:11 ^c; 1 Tim 5:17 ^d; cp. Acts 5:34 ^e). Such honor would compensate for the shame imposed upon Christians as social outsiders (Jas 2:6-7 ^f). But the conspicuous role of teachers symbolizes the power of human speech to benefit or harm the church.