“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” James 1:2-3.
Background
Who is the author? Most likely James, the half-brother of Christ (Mark 6:3) and brother of Jude (Matthew 13:55), (Jude 1). This James at first did not believe in his brother as the Messiah (John 7:5), but later came to his senses (1 Corinthians 15:7).
Where is the audience? Jewish Believers who had been dispersed (James 1:1) probably as the result of the persecution under Herold Agrippa I recorded in Acts 12.
Theme? James’ letter is about how to Christianity, or how to live a christian life. “James with its devotion to direct, pungent statements on wise living , is reminiscent of the Book of Proverbs. It has a practical emphasis, not emphasizing theoretical knowledge, but godly living,” Pastor John MacArthur.
Context? Profiting from trials
key words
* Count (hegeomai); consider
* Trials (peirasmois); a putting to proof (of good), experience (of evil), solicitation, discipline or provocation); by implication, adversity.
* Patience (hupomone); cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy:- patience continuance (waiting).
Cross references
Romans 5:3, And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;
James 1:12, Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.
James 5:11, Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.
1 Peter 1:6-7, In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the proven character of your faith–more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire–may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Luke 21:19, By your patient endurance you will gain your souls.
Hebrews 6:12, Then you will not be sluggish, but will imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
Compare
WBMS writes, “My brethren, deem ye all joy, when ye fall into diverse temptations, witting that the proving of your faith worketh patience;”
LEB say, “Consider it all joy, my brothers, whenever you encounter various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.”
Truth
Who knew we can profit from temptations? Who thought is possible to rejoice whenever we fall into various trials? James exhorted his brethren to “count it all joy” whenever they face trails of any kind. Apparently, faith related troubles give us reason to be very happy. But how? He writes, “Because you know,” what? “that when your faith is tested, you learn to be patient.” Wycliffe bible Translation puts this way, that the proving of your faith worketh patience.
So we consider it all joy when we fall into various trials, because we know that the testing or the proving of our faith produces patience (in suffering). In other words, the genuineness of your faith is proved through trials to produce a (hopeful or cheerful) patience in the end. And this enduring patience will not only result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:7), but also will gain your souls (Luke 21:19) and you will receive the crown of life (James 1:12). Talk is cheap. Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves (James 1:22).
Application
Anyone can say they have faith when things are going good. Let’s see if they’ll still have faith when hell break loose on their life. The Lord Jesus did not promise a lovey-dovey life on earth. “All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). Nonetheless, in Him, we have peace that sustains us to produce patience continuance because He has overcome the world.
The question is “….when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:8.