James 1:3 ESV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - James 1:2-12

We now come to consider the matter of this epistle. In this paragraph we have the following things to be observed:? I. The suffering state of Christians in this world is represented, and that in a very instructive manner, if we attend to what is plainly and necessarily implied, together with what is fully expressed. 1. It is implied that troubles and afflictions may be the lot of the best Christians, even of those who have the most reason to think and hope well of themselves. Such as have a... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - James 1:2-4

1:2-4 My brothers, reckon it all joy whenever you become involved in all kinds of testings, for you are well aware that the testing of your faith produces unswerving constancy. And let constancy go on to work out its perfect work that you may be perfect and complete, deficient in nothing. James never suggested to his readers that Christianity would be for them an easy way. He warns them that they would find themselves involved in what the King James Version calls divers temptations. The... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - James 1:2-4

James describes this process of testing by the word dokimion ( Greek #1383 ). It is an interesting word. It is the word for sterling coinage, for money which is genuine and unalloyed. The aim of testing is to purge us of all impurity. If we meet this testing in the right way, it will produce unswerving constancy (or steadfastness as the Revised Standard Version translates it). The word is hupomone ( Greek #5281 ), which the King James Version translates as patience; but patience is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - James 1:3

Knowing this ,.... By experience; as everyone that is trained up in the school of affliction does: the apostle appeals to the saints, to whom he writes, for the truth of what he was about to say; and which he gives as a reason why they should rejoice in afflictions, because it is a known fact, that the trying of your faith worketh patience : two things afflictions do when sanctified; one is, they try faith, the truth of it, and make it appear to be true, genuine, and precious, like gold... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - James 1:3

The trying of your faith - Trials put religion, and all the graces of which it is composed to proof; the man that stands in such trials gives proof that his religion is sound, and the evidence afforded to his own mind induces him to take courage, bear patiently, and persevere. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - James 1:3

Verse 3 3Knowing this, that the trying. We now see why he called adversities trials or temptations, even because they serve to try our faith. And there is here a reason given to confirm the last sentence. For it might, on the other hand, be objected, “How comes it, that we judge that sweet which to the sense is bitter?” He then shews by the effect that we ought to rejoice in afflictions, because they produce fruit that ought to be highly valued, even patience. If God then provides for our... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:1-4

A joyful salutation for a time of adversity. James, in the opening sentence of his letter, "wisheth joy" to the Christian Jews who were scattered over the Roman world (verse 1). He knew that they were environed with adversity; they suffered from the persecution of the heathen, and from the upbraidings of their unbelieving countrymen. Yet his loving, sympathetic heart wishes them joy even in all time of their tribulation. I. THE CHRISTIAN SHOULD REJOICE AMIDST TRIALS .... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:2-4

The value of temptation. Considered as an opportunity , it is a cause for joy. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:2-4

Temptation as cause for joy. What a reversal of the ordinary view, which regards trial and temptation as an unwelcome visitation! Prosperity is the blessing of the old covenant, adversity is the blessing of the new. Temptations should be regarded, not only as probations , i.e. as testing what we are, but as designed also for moral discipline and improvement. The character that has never been tried may be innocent, but it is liable to be crushed. It is lacking in the strength and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:2-4

The strange paradox. He has given them "greeting" ( James 1:1 ), or, literally, wished them "joy." Was this a hitter irony? For in what condition were they? Persecuted, as Jews and especially as Christian Jews; oppressed, the poorer by the richer; and all, in the common heritage of human woe, afflicted in a hundred ways. And does he wish "joy" to these? Yes, even so. And, as though surmising the question, he goes on to insist yet more emphatically on the "greeting" which he has given.... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - James 1:2-12

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - James 1:2-4

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - James 1:2-4

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - James 1:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - James 1:3

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - James 1:3

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:1-4

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:2-4

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:2-4

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:2-4

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