James 1:11

No sooner risen. James amplifies his parable of the flower (v. 10), which enjoys only a brief existence before it perishes (cf. Matt. 13:6, 21).

The grace of the fashion of it. Or, “the beauty of its appearance,” literally, “the beauty of its face.” Beauty disappears when the flower fades and dies. When the rich man is compared to a flower, his “grace,” or “beauty,” consists of the external surroundings which his wealth can purchase and which the poor are not able to afford. These might include a beautiful house, fancy furniture, expensive clothing, ornaments of precious stones or metals, or anything else that adds to the striking display of his appearance.

These all fade in times of economic crisis or in the face of death, even as the beauty of the flower is of brief duration.

So also shall the rich man. James enforces Christ’s warning concerning earthly treasures, which “moth and rust doth corrupt” and which “thieves break through and steal” (see on Matt. 6:19-21). He reminds the “rich” Christian that earthly treasures may be lost before death, but that even should he retain them they will then be completely useless to him. The rich Christian’s only sure basis for rejoicing is in the security he finds in fellowship with Jesus Christ, for this is his only possession that does not fade away.