My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
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;
- BSB Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds,
- 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 you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been put to grief in various trials,
- Jas 1:12Blessed is the man 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 Cor 12:9–10He 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.
- Matt 5:10–12Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
- Luke 6:22–23Blessed are you when men shall hate you, and when they shall exclude and mock you, and throw out your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake.
- Phil 1:29Because it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer on his behalf,
- 2 Pet 2:9the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment;
- Rom 8:17–18and 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.
- Rev 2:10Don’t be afraid of the things which you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested; and you will have oppression for ten days. Be faithful to death, and I will give you the crown of life.
- Col 1:24Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and fill up on my part that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the assembly;
- Rom 8:35–37Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Could oppression, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
- 1 Pet 4:13–16But because you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory you also may rejoice with exceeding joy.
- Acts 5:41They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Jesus’ name.
- Heb 10:34For you both had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your possessions, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and an enduring one in the heavens.
- Phil 2:17Yes, and if I am poured out on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice, and rejoice with you all.
- Heb 11:36–38Others were tried by mocking and scourging, yes, moreover by bonds 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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