James 1:2

My brethren. At the outset the apostle expresses the spirit of fellowship he feels with his readers. This warmth of affection would reveal the constructive nature of his admonitions concerning problems of everyday life. James uses this form of address altogether 15 times, or once every 7 verses on the average, in an apparent effort to stress the bond of brotherhood that bound his heart to theirs in Christian fellowship.

Count. Or, “consider,” “deem,” “think.” It is the privilege and duty of the Christian to take an intelligent attitude toward the tests and trials that beset his pathway. He needs to study and understand God’s permissive relationship to such experiences (see on Job 42:5; Ps. 38:3; 39:9; Matt. 6:13; Rom. 8:28).

All joy. That is, pure, unmixed joy. To the mature Christian the trials and tests of life need bring no burden of disappointment or discouragement. All this the Christian endures in faith and hope, “as seeing him who is invisible” (Heb. 11:27). Christian joy and courage are based, not on external circumstances — which may often be most forbidding — but on faith in God’s overruling providence and an intelligent understanding of His dealings with men. Human philosophies of life, religious or secular, may prepare men to meet trouble philosophically, with a calm and patient spirit, but Christianity teaches men how to be joyful under such circumstances through an intelligent understanding of the causes of suffering and through faith in God.

When ye fall. That the Christian may expect “temptations” periodically is evident from the word “when,” or more literally, “whenever.” The word “fall” does not necessarily reflect spiritual declension. To “fall into ... temptations” simply means to encounter them (cf. Luke 10:30; Acts 27:41). Such situations are usually unsought, unexpected, and unwelcome. Furthermore, the “temptations” to which James here refers apparently constitute major obstacles that could easily overwhelm one whose mind is not “stayed” on God (see on Isa. 26:3, 4).

Divers. Or, “various.” Manifold are the “temptations” to which mankind — especially the Christian — is subject.

Temptations. Gr. peirasmoi, “tests,” “trials,” “afflictions,” “troubles,” “enticements [to sin]” (see on Matt. 6:13; cf. on Matt. 4:1). The word peirasmoi includes far more than the word “temptations” conveys to the modern English reader. It includes such afflictions as sickness, persecution, poverty, and calamity. Trials, whether expressly designed by Satan to tempt a man to sin, or only to annoy and harass him, are always a test of Christian experience.

Too often even the most earnest Christians fail to understand and ministry of suffering and temptation in the formation of character, and as a result not only fail to profit from these experiences as they might but make their own way harder and lose the fellowship with God that might otherwise be theirs. There is no experience in life, however bitter or disappointing, that may not, in the providence of God and by the grace of Christ, contribute to Christian growth, bring us closer to God, and enrich our understanding of His love for us. Paul is the classic NT example of how a Christian can turn every defeat into victory (see on 2 Cor. 2:14; 4:8-11; 12:7-10). For a more complete analysis of the Christian attitude toward trials and suffering in general see on Ps. 38:3.

Knowing. Verse 3 states the basis for the rejoicing noted in v. 2. James reminds his readers that personal joy amid life’s afflictions can be experienced only by those who face them with a sound, stabilizing Christian philosophy.

Trying. Gr. dokimion, “proving,” “testing.” This word refers not only to the testing of a Christian’s faith but more precisely to that attribute of faith that makes it victorious over the problems of life. The papyri (see Vol. V, pp. 104, 105) use this word in connection with gold to describe “standard gold,” that is, gold that measures up to the test and is found genuine. The phrase, “the trying of your faith,” may thus describe faith that comes up to the test.

Faith. Gr. pistis, “faith,” “conviction,” “belief,” “trust.” James speaks of victorious faith that has successfully faced the varied problems of life, or “divers temptations.” Each conflict with “temptation” strengthens the faith of a victorious Christian. As a veteran of earthly warfare who has learned to face habitual danger confidently is more trustworthy than a raw recruit, so the victorious Christian is better prepared for the trials he must meet than the Christian whose faith is untried.

This faith is the unswerving conviction that Jesus Christ has a satisfying plan of life for every man and that for every trial He provides a solution. The man of faith believes that no person or circumstance can thwart the plan that God has for the happiness of His children.

Patience. Gr. hupomone, “steadfastness,” “endurance,” “constancy,” “patience” (see on Rom. 5:3). This enduring power is the result of faith that has been tried and found triumphant. Too often the English word “patience” suggests mere passive submission.

However, hupomone emphasizes the active staying power that makes men triumphant over their “divers temptations” (see Luke 8:15; Rom. 2:7; Heb. 10:36; Rev. 14:12). This character asset is needed by all who face dreary adversities, whether of a personal nature or such as often confront them when they seek to advance the cause of God. By faith we believe that God is working with us, and this conviction develops a hardy steadfastness that will not submit to defeat.