Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds,
Parallel translations
- WEB Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various temptations,
- KJV My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
- NKJV My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
- NASB Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials,
- NLT Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Believers are to regard trials of every kind as occasions for joy, not despair. Trials, rightly understood, serve God's good purposes in us.
Overview
James opens his counsel by reorienting how Christians view hardship: trials are not random misfortunes but opportunities for spiritual growth. The word translated "temptations" here means testing circumstances generally. This joy is not a denial of pain but confidence in what God will accomplish through it, echoing Jesus' teaching on rejoicing under persecution (Matthew 5:11-12).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 16
- 1 Pet 1:6–8In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials
- Jas 1:12Blessed 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.
- 2 Cor 12:9–10But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.
- Matt 5:10–12Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Luke 6:22–23Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man.
- Phil 1:29For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him,
- 2 Pet 2:9if all this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.
- Rom 8:17–18And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him.
- Rev 2:10Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer tribulation for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
- Col 1:24Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His body, which is the church.
- Rom 8:35–37Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
- 1 Pet 4:13–16But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory.
- Acts 5:41The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.
- Heb 10:34You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you yourselves had a better and permanent possession.
- Phil 2:17But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.
- Heb 11:36–38Still others endured mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.
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The wisdom from above and the royal law of love are the life of those who belong to 'our glorious Lord Jesus Christ' — faith in him made visible in works.
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Original language
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