James 1:3-7

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

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - James 1:5-8

1:5-8 If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask it from God, who gives generously to all men and never casts up the gift, and it will be given to him. Let him ask in faith, with no doubts in his mind; for he who oscillates between doubts is like a surge of the sea, wind-driven and blown hither and thither. Let not that man think that he will receive anything from the Lord, a man with a divided mind, inconstant in all his ways. There is a close connection between this passage and... 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - James 1:4

But let patience have her perfect work ,.... Or effect; or be brought unto perfection; which may denote both the sincerity and continuance of it unto the end, with constancy: patience may be said to be perfect, when it appears to be real and sincere, and not dissembled; for as there may be a feigned faith, a dissembled love, and an hypocritical hope, so likewise a mere show of patience: and certain it is, that as there is a patience which is commendable, there is one that is not, 1 Peter... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - James 1:5

If any of you lack wisdom ,.... This shows that the perfection before spoken of is not to be understood as in this life, since the apostle immediately supposes lack of wisdom in them; for this is not said in a form of doubting, whether they wanted it or not, but rather as supposing, and taking it for granted that they did; and in the first, and primary sense of the words, it intends wisdom to behave aright under temptations or afflictions. Saints often want wisdom to consider God as the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - James 1:6

But let him ask in faith ,.... Not only in the faith of the divine Being that God is; but in the faith of the promises he has made; and in the faith of his power and faithfulness to perform them; and in the faith of this, that whatever is asked, according to the will of God, and is for his glory, and his people's good, shall be given. Nothing wavering ; about the thing asked for, whether it is right or no to ask for it; for that should be settled before it is asked for; nor about the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - James 1:7

For let not that man think ,.... Imagine, conclude, or please himself with such thoughts, that he shall receive anything from the Lord ; wisdom, or anything else, he is seeking after; for wanting faith, he has nothing to receive with; faith is the grace, which receives the Lord Jesus Christ himself, and all grace from him; which receives a justifying righteousness, pardon of sin, adoption of children, and even the everlasting inheritance, at least, the right unto it; wherefore those who... 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

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