Meaning, commentary and cross references
James 1:2
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
NIV · New International Version
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
WEB · World English Bible
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various temptations,
What does James 1:2 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on James 1:2
My brethren,.... Not only according to the flesh, he being a Jew as they were; but in a spiritual sense, they being born again of the same grace, belonging to the same family and household of faith, and having the same Father, and being all the children of God, by faith in Christ Jesus: count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; not the temptations of Satan, or temptations to sin; for these cannot be matter of joy, but grief; these are fiery darts, and give a great deal of uneasiness and trouble; but afflictions and persecutions for the sake of the Gospel, which are so called here and elsewhere, because they are trials of the faith of God's people, and of other graces of the…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on James 1:1–4
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 2 Omne gaudium existimate, fratres mei, quum in tentationes varias incideritis; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 3 Scientes quod probatio fidei vestrae, patientiam operatur 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 4 Patientia vero opus perfectum habeat, ut sitis perfecti et integri, in nullo deficientes. 1 To the twelve tribes. When the ten tribes were banished, the Assyrian king placed them in different parts. Afterwards, as it usually happens in the revolutions of kingdoms (such as then took place,) it is very probable that they moved…
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: James 1:1–5 (WEB)
1James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are in the Dispersion: Greetings. 2Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various temptations, 3knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4Let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 5But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
Cross references
- 1 Peter 1:6–8
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved in various trials,
- James 1:12
Blessed is a person who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord promised to those who love him.
- 2 Corinthians 12:9–10
He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.
- Matthew 5:10–12
Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
- Luke 6:22–23
Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude and mock you, and throw out your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake.
- Philippians 1:29
Because it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer on his behalf,
- 2 Peter 2:9
then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment,
- Romans 8:17–18
and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him.