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NASB | James 3:1 Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | James 3:1 Not many [of you] should become teachers [serving in an official teaching capacity], my brothers and sisters, for you know that we [who are teachers] will be judged by a higher standard [because we have assumed greater accountability and more condemnation if we teach incorrectly]. |
Bible Question:
On James 3 William Barclay says ... "It was true that a Rabbi was not allowed to take money for teaching and that he was supposed to support his bodily needs by working at a trade;" Does any historian know about this? Is it factual? |
Bible Answer: Rabbinic Theology is never easy to nail down to a simple statement since there is so much discussion and disagreement within it. In fact, their very form of study revolves around questions and disagreement, so even if something is true "most of the time" does not mean it is true all of the time. For your question, my studies in Rabbinic Theology have taught me that the only Rabbis to be paid were those who taught the children. There are different types of Rabbis as well which developed mostly after the destruction of the Temple in 70 A.D. The Rabbis with "authority" were very few and might have received funding from disciples or relatives of disciples (or anyone choosing to provide.) The most common Torah Teacher was located in a certain area or town and provided for himself through his own labors. Work was (and still is) considered a high form of worship particularly work done to create. Hope this helps. Sorry I don't have proof texts, I don't have them memorized and I'm not going to hunt. MJH |