James 1

James 1 General Notes

Structure and formatting

James formally introduces this letter in verse 1. Writers often began letters in this way in the ancient Near East.

Special concepts in this chapter

Testing and temptation

These two words occur together in (James 1:12-13). Both words speak of a person who is able to choose between doing something good and doing something evil. The difference between them is important. God is testing the person and wants him to do what is good. Satan is tempting the person and wants him to do what is evil.

Crowns

The crown that a man who passes the test receives is a reward, something that people who do something especially good receive. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tw?section=other#reward)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Metaphors

James uses many metaphors in this chapter, and you will need to understand the material on the metaphor page before you can translate them well. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

"To the twelve tribes in the dispersion"

It is not clear to whom James wrote this letter. He calls himself a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, so he was probably writing to Christians. But he calls his readers "the twelve tribes in the dispersion," words which usually refer to Jews. It is possible that he is using the words as a metaphor for "all people whom God has chosen" or that he wrote the letter at a time when most Christians had grown up as Jews.

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James 1:1

General Information:

The apostle James writes this letter to all the Christians. Many of them were Jews, and they lived in many different places.

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ

The phrase "this letter is from" is implied. Alternate translation: "This letter is from James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)

to the twelve tribes

Possible meanings are 1) this is a synecdoche for Jewish Christians, or 2) this is a metaphor for all Christians. Alternate translation: "to God's faithful people" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-synecdoche and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)

in the dispersion

The term "dispersion" normally referred to the Jews who were scattered in other countries, away from their homeland, Israel. This abstract noun can be expressed with a phrase with the verb "scattered." Alternate translation: "who are scattered around the world" or "who live in other countries" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-abstractnouns)

Greetings!

This is a basic greeting, such as "Hello!" or "Good day!"

James 1:2

Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you experience various troubles

"My fellow believers, think of all your different kinds of troubles as things to celebrate"

James 1:3

the testing of your faith produces endurance

The expressions "the testing," "your faith," and "endurance" are nouns that stand for actions. God does the testing, that is, he finds out how much the believers trust and obey him. Believers ("you") believe in him and endure suffering. Alternate translation: "when you suffer hardships, God is finding out how much you trust him. As a result, you will become able to endure even more hardships" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-abstractnouns)

James 1:4

Let endurance complete its work

Here endurance is spoken of as if it were a person at work. Alternate translation: "Learn to endure any hardship" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-personification)

fully developed

able to trust in Christ and obey him in all circumstances

not lacking anything

This can be stated in the positive. Alternate translation: "having all that you need" or "being all that you need to be"

James 1:5

ask for it from God, the one who gives

"ask God for it. He is the one who gives"

gives generously and without rebuke to all

"gives generously and does not rebuke any"

he will give it to him

"God will give it to him" or "God will answer his prayer"

James 1:6

in faith, doubting nothing

"with complete certainty that God will answer"

For anyone who doubts is like a wave in the sea that is driven by the wind and tossed around

Anyone who doubts that God will help him is said to be like the water in the ocean or in a large lake, which keeps moving in different directions. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-simile)

James 1:7

General Information:

This page has intentionally been left blank.

James 1:8

is a double-minded man, unstable

The word "double-minded" refers to a person's thoughts when he is unable to make a decision. Alternate translation: "cannot decide if he will follow Jesus or not and is unstable" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)

unstable in all his ways

Here this person is spoken of as if he cannot stay on one path but instead goes from one to another. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)

James 1:9

the lowly brother

"the believer who does not have much money" or "the believer whom other people consider unimportant"

boast of his high position

Someone whom God has honored is spoken of as if he were standing in a high place. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)

James 1:10

but the rich man of his low position

The words "let" and "boast" are understood from the previous phrase. Alternate translation: "but let the rich man boast of his low position" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-ellipsis)

but the rich man

"but the man who has a lot of money"

of his low position

A rich believer should be happy if God causes him to suffer. Alternate translation: "should be happy that God has given him difficulties" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-ellipsis)

he will pass away as a wild flower in the grass

Rich people are spoken of as being similar to wild flowers, which are alive for only a short time. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-simile)

James 1:11

its beauty perishes

A flower that is becoming less beautiful because it is decaying is spoken of as if its beauty were dying. Alternate translation: "it is no longer beautiful" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)

the rich man will fade away in the middle of his journey

Here the flower simile is probably continued. As flowers do not die suddenly but instead fade away over a short time, so also the rich people may not die suddenly but instead take a little time to disappear. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-simile)

in the middle of his journey

A rich man's activities in daily life are spoken of as if they are a journey that he is making. This metaphor implies that he is giving no thought to his coming death, and that it will takes him by surprise. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)

James 1:12

Connecting Statement:

James reminds the believers who have fled that God does not cause temptation; he tells them how to avoid temptation.

Blessed is the man who endures testing

"The man who endures testing is fortunate" or "The man who endures testing is well off"

endures testing

remains faithful to God during hardships

passed the test

he has been approved by God

receive the crown of life

Eternal life is spoken of as if it were a wreath of leaves placed on the head of a victorious athlete. Alternate translation: "receive eternal life as his reward" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)

has been promised to those who love God

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "God has promised to those who love him" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-activepassive)

James 1:13

when he is tempted

"when he desires to do something evil"

I am tempted by God

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "God is trying to make me do something evil" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-activepassive)

God is not tempted by evil

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "No one can make God desire to do evil" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-activepassive)

nor does he himself tempt anyone

"and God himself does not try to persuade anyone do evil"

James 1:14

each person is tempted by his own desire

A person's desire is spoken of as if it were someone else who was tempting him to sin. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-personification)

which drags him away and entices him

Evil desire continues to be spoken of as if it were a person who could drag away someone else. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-personification)

entices

attracts, persuades someone to do evil

James 1:15

Then after the desire conceives, it gives birth to sin, and after the sin is full grown, it gives birth to death

Desire continues to be spoken of as a person, this time clearly as a woman who becomes pregnant with a child. The child is identified as sin. Sin is a female baby that grows up, becomes pregnant, and gives birth to death. This chain of metaphors is a picture of someone who ends up dying both spiritually and physically because of his evil desires and his sin. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-personification and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)

James 1:16

Do not be deceived

"Do not let anyone deceive you" or "Stop deceiving yourselves"

James 1:17

Every good gift and every perfect gift

These two phrases mean basically the same thing. James uses them to emphasize that anything good that a person has comes from God. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-doublet)

the Father of lights

God, the creator of all the lights in the sky (sun, moon, and stars), is said to be their "Father." (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)

With him there is no changing or shadow because of turning

This expression pictures God as an unchanging light. This is in contrast to the sun, moon, and stars that appear to move in the sky and sometimes are darkened. Alternate translation: "God always stays the same. He does not change like shifting shadows" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-simile)

James 1:18

to give us

The word "us" refers to James and his audience. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-exclusive)

give us birth

God, who brought us eternal life, is spoken of as if he had given us birth. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)

the word of truth

Possible meanings are 1) "the message about the truth" or 2) "the true message."

so that we would be a kind of firstfruits

James is using the traditional Hebrew idea of firstfruits as a way to describe the value of the Christian believers to God. He implies that there will be many more believers in the future. Alternate translation: "so that we would be like an offering of firstfruits" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-simile)

James 1:19

You know this

Possible meanings are 1) "Know this" is a command to pay attention to what I am about to write or 2) "You know this" is a statement saying that I am about to remind you of something that you already know.

Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak

These sayings are idioms that mean people should first listen intently, and then consider carefully what they say. Here "slow to speak" does not mean speaking slowly. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-idiom)

slow to anger

"not get angry quickly"

James 1:20

the anger of man does not accomplish the righteousness of God

When a person is always angry, he cannot do God's work, which is righteous.

James 1:21

take off all sinful filth and abundant amounts of evil

Sin and evil are spoken of here as if they were clothing that could be taken off. Alternate translation: "stop doing all filthy sins and stop doing abundant amounts of evil" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)

take off all sinful filth and abundant amounts of evil

Here the expressions "sinful filth" and "evil" share similar meanings. James uses them to emphasize how bad sin is. Alternate translation: "stop doing every kind of sinful behavior" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-doublet)

sinful filth

Here "filth," that is, dirt, stands for sin and evil. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)

In humility

"Without pride" or "Without arrogance"

receive the implanted word

The expression "implant" means to place one thing inside of another. Here God's word is spoken of as if it were a plant made to grow inside believers. Alternate translation: "obey the message God has spoken to you" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)

save your souls

What a person is saved from can be made explicit. Alternate translation: "save you from God's judgment" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)

your souls

Here the word "souls" refers to persons. Alternate translation: "yourselves" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-synecdoche)

James 1:22

Be doers of the word

"Be people who follow God's instructions"

deceiving yourselves

"fooling yourselves"

James 1:23

For if anyone is a hearer of the word but not a doer

In the phrase "but not a doer" the words "is" and "of the word" are understood from the previous phrase. The noun "doer" can also be expressed with the verbs "do" or "obey." Alternate translation: "For if anyone listens to God's word in the scriptures but does not obey the word" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-ellipsis)

the word

"the message"

he is like a man who examines his natural face in a mirror

A person who hears God's word is like someone who looks in the mirror. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-simile)

his natural face

The word "natural" clarifies that James is using the ordinary meaning of the word "face." Alternate translation: "his face"

James 1:24

then goes away and immediately forgets what he was like

It is implied that though he may see that he needs to do something, such as wash his face or fix his hair, he walks away and forgets to do it. This what a person who does not obey God's word is like. Alternate translation: "then goes away and immediately forgets to do what he saw he needed to do" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-simile)

James 1:25

the person who looks carefully into the perfect law

This expression continues the image of the law as a mirror. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-simile)

the perfect law of freedom

The relationship between the law and freedom can be expressed clearly. Here "freedom" probably refers to freedom from sin. Alternate translation: "the perfect law that gives freedom" or "the perfect law that makes those who follow it free" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)

this man will be blessed in his actions

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "God will bless this man as he obeys the law" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-activepassive)

James 1:26

thinks he is religious

"thinks he worships God correctly"

his tongue

Controlling one's tongue stands for controlling one's speech. Alternate translation: "what he says" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metonymy)

deceives

gets someone to believe something that is not true

his heart

Here "heart" refers to his belief or thoughts. Alternate translation: "himself" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metonymy)

his religion is worthless

"he worships God uselessly"

James 1:27

pure and unspoiled before our God and Father

James speaks of religion, the way one worships God, as if it could be physically pure and unspoiled. These are traditional ways for Jews to say that something is acceptable to God. Alternate translation: "completely acceptable to our God and Father" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-doublet and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)

the fatherless

"the orphans"

in their affliction

The fatherless and widows are suffering because their fathers or husbands have died.

to keep oneself unstained by the world

Sin in the world is spoken of as something dirty that can stain a person. Alternate translation: "to not allow the evil in the world to cause oneself to sin" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)