Henry Krabbendam - James - World Evangelical Alliance

All this is introductory to the question what James has in mind when he warns his
readers not to crowd into teaching!
Turning now to the text, an analysis of all its clues in both the narrower sectional
and wider biblical context appears to indicate that James has first of all
the teaching office in mind, even if it will soon become quite apparent that
the deadly threat he identifies as the rationale for his strong warning applies
to all types of teachers and teaching. I select this interpretation for three reasons
that are implicit in the content of the Topical Focus on Teaching in the
NT.
First, all believers in their various functions must be teachers (Heb.
5:12). Second, all believers also must exercise the gift of teaching after they
have determined that this is, indeed, their specific gift (Rom. 12:6). Third,
only of the office of pastor-teacher it is said, that to desire such office is a
“good thing” (1 Tim. 3:1). In other words, although one may seek the office,
it is not incumbent upon all believers to do so. Therefore, James’ word of
caution fits perfectly in the framework of the teaching office. By all means,
desire it! This is perfectly acceptable! But, aspiring teachers, beware ... !
James is not seeking to discourage anyone from pursuing the teaching office.
Far from it! But by means of a strong warning he aims to make it crystal clear
that every aspiring teacher faces a deadly pitfall.
The question naturally arises and deserves an answer why James gives
such a strong warning. Apparently a desire to teach, whether precipitous or
not, whether properly motivated or not, can have calamitous consequences.
Once the sobering reason is spelled out, it will be immediately clear that
James’ warning, although focused upon those who are “itching” to occupy the
office of teacher, undoubtedly, and not just “probably” (Moo, 1985, 119), has
implications for all members of the covenant community who are involved in
a teaching activity (So also Brosend, 96). In short, it applies not only to aspiring
teachers, but also to “ordinary” believers and to those graced with the
spiritual gift of teaching and exhorting.
Incidentally, all this underscores my already mentioned position that
there is no reason to believe that James is opposing here the ordination and
installation of false, hell-inspired, teachers with novel doctrines (with Laws,
141; Manton, 271; contra Nystrom, 174, 178), or potential control freaks who
with their demagoguery wish to rule the roost (with Manson, 271; Grosheide,
1955, 383; contra Keddie, 124). 273 Neither does it appear that he simply seeks
273 Of course, this is not to deny that Scripture denounces heretical or tyrannical teachers,
such as the Pharisees, who go to astounding length to make a single convert, and end up
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