3:1 judged with greater strictness. James gives a sober warning concerning the responsibility of teachers. Teachers exert influence over trusting students, a relationship that makes the students vulnerable to serious error. The teacher is held in strict account for what he or she teaches. This strict judgment should restrain teachers from careless words. The tongue of the teacher can be a devastating peril. The early church gave high esteem to the office of the teacher (Matt. 5:19; 18:6; cf. Rom. 14:10–12).