My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
Parallel translations
- WEB Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various temptations,
- BSB Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds,
- 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 1:6–8Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
- Jas 1:12Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
- 2 Cor 12:9–10And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
- Matt 5:10–12Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Luke 6:22–23Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.
- Phil 1:29For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
- 2 Pet 2:9The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
- Rom 8:17–18And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
- Rev 2:10Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
- Col 1:24Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:
- Rom 8:35–37Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
- 1 Pet 4:13–16But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
- Acts 5:41And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
- Heb 10:34For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
- Phil 2:17Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
- Heb 11:36–38And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
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