James 3:1 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Bible Comments

JAMES CHAPTER 3 James 3:1 We must not rashly take upon ourselves to reprove others. James 3:2-12 The importance, difficulty, and duty of governing the tongue. James 3:13-18 True wisdom will show itself in meekness, peaceableness, and charity, in opposition to strife and envying. Be not many masters; let not every man make himself a master of other men's faith and manners, a censor, or supercilious reprover of their failings and infirmities, Matthew 7:1. All reproof is not here forbidden, neither authoritative by church officers, nor charitative by private brethren; but that which is irregular, either in the ground of it, when that is false; or the manner of it, when it is masterly and imperious, or preposterous, as when we reprehend others and are no less reprehensible ourselves, Romans 2:21; or in the end of it, when we seek to advance our own reputation by observing or aggravating others faults, &c. Knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation; by how much the more severe and rigid we are in judging others, the greater will be our judgment, not only from men, who will be apt to retaliate, but from God himself, Matthew 7:1-3 Luke 6:38 Revelation 2:2,3. See the like expression, Matthew 23:8,14.

James 3:1

1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.a