James 3:1 A Severe Warning

The Bible and specifically the NT is filled with warnings to professing Christians. We are reminded of Paul telling the Colossians "do not be taken captive...", and to the Corinthians "do not be deceived..." In a day where teaching and preaching is so often sought after by men both old and young though, there is a warning to which we should give heed and is found in James 3:1.

UBS/NA
Μὴ πολλοὶ διδάσκαλοι γίνεσθε, ἀδελφοί μου, εἰδότες ὅτι μεῖζον κρίμα λημψόμεθα.

Translation
Do not (or let not) many (of you) become teachers, my brethren, knowing that stricter judgment we will receive.

As a Christian reading the Scriptures, I have understood this verse and passage to be a warning, but have not taken it any further than just that. I had never considered the question of whether or not this negative imperative is a suggestion or command though. That is, not until reading it in my GNT. In English I usually read the ESV which states, "not many of you should become teachers...".  In contemporary English this could be understood as a mere suggestion, at least that's how I understood it. The NAS says it this way, "Let not many of you become teachers..." which carries more of a command.

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