Others besides teachers have pitfalls, for teachers are not the only
errant men. “For in many things we all stumble.” James includes himself
in this category. The Vulgate reads “ye” in verse 1 (_sumitis_), not
willing to admit that James ran any risk about the heavier judgment; but
that is not the correct text. James shows no disposition to exempt
himself. One and all we make many slips, stumble over something in the
path. Our falls are only too frequent. Who is the perfect man? Seneca
(Clem. 1:6) says, “We all sin” (_peccamus omnes_). But Epictetus (bk.
IV, chap. iv, § 7) uses the word for sin for merely “commit a fault.” He
has a weak conception of sin. Epictetus also (bk. I, chap. xxviii, § 23)
says, “No man stumbles on account of another’s action.” But surely he is
in error here.
Teachers are particularly liable to stumble in speech, for precisely in
that sphere their activity lies (Plummer). This point is common to all.
Most assuredly, all men are guilty of sins of speech. Each one is sure
to stumble there sooner or later. This is a very easy test of one’s
perfection. He can be prodded by the tongue. “The scribes and the
Pharisees began to press upon him vehemently, and to provoke him to
speak of many things; laying wait [ambush] for him, to catch [as if wild
game] something out of his mouth” (Luke 11: 53 f.). Yes, but they were
all the more angry when the one perfect Man kept control of his tongue.
Smart lawyers often try to trip a witness in his talk. It is hard to be
consistent in talk, true in talk, clean in speech. “If any stumbleth not
in word, the same is a perfect man,” “whoever avoids slips of speech is
a perfect man” (Moffatt). “Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth”
(Prov. 6:2). Compare Sirach 28:12-26 for pungent remarks on speech.
“That which proceedeth out of the mouth, this defileth the man” (Matt.
15:11). The chemical reaction to talk is a test that we cannot refuse.
Teachers cannot escape this inevitable test. The rest of this discussion
consists of a series of remarkable illustrations of the power of the
tongue.