James 1:10

James 1:10 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
• New International Version (NIV)But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower.
• English Standard Version (ESV)and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away.
• New King James Version (NKJV)but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away.

Context of James 1:10

8being a double-minded man, unstable and restless in all his ways [in everything he thinks, feels, or decides]. 9Let the brother in humble circumstances glory in his high position [as a born-again believer, called to the true riches and to be an heir of God]; and the rich man is to glory in being humbled [by trials revealing human frailty, knowing true riches are found in the grace of God], for like the flower of the grass he will pass away. 11For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; its flower falls off and its beauty fades away; so too will the rich man, in the midst of his pursuits, fade away. 12Blessed [happy, spiritually prosperous, favored by God] is the man who is steadfast under trial and perseveres when tempted; for when he has passed the test and been approved, he will receive the [victor’s] crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

James 1:10 word by word

ὁ δὲ πλούσιος ἐν τῇ ταπεινώσει αὐτοῦ ὅτι ὡς ἄνθος χόρτου παρελεύσεται.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Butδέde · thenG1161
• the richπλούσιοςplousios · richG4145
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• that heαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• is made lowταπείνωσιςtapeinōsis · lowlinessG5014
• becauseὅτιhoti · that/since: sinceG3754
• asὡςhōs · as/whenG5613
• the flowerἄνθοςanthos · flowerG438
• of the grassχόρτοςchortos · grassG5528
• he shall pass awayπαρέρχομαιparerchomai · to pass byG3928

Cross-references for James 1:10

• Isaiah 57:15For the high and exalted One He who inhabits eternity, Whose name is Holy says this, “I dwell on the high and holy place, But also with the contrite and humble in spirit In order to revive the spirit of the humble And to revive the heart of the contrite [overcome with sorrow for sin].
• Isaiah 66:2For all these things My hand has made, So all these things came into being [by and for Me],” declares the Lord. “But to this one I will look [graciously], To him who is humble and contrite in spirit, and who [reverently] trembles at My word and honors My commands.
• Matthew 5:3“Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in spirit [those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].
• Philippians 3:8But more than that, I count everything as loss compared to the priceless privilege and supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord [and of growing more deeply and thoroughly acquainted with Him—a joy unequaled]. For His sake I have lost everything, and I consider it all garbage, so that I may gain Christ,
• 1 Timothy 6:17As for the rich in this present world, instruct them not to be conceited and arrogant, nor to set their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly and ceaselessly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
• James 4:14Yet you do not know [the least thing] about what may happen in your life tomorrow. [What is secure in your life?] You are merely a vapor [like a puff of smoke or a wisp of steam from a cooking pot] that is visible for a little while and then vanishes [into thin air].
• Job 14:2Like a flower he comes forth and withers; He also flees like a shadow and does not remain.
• Psalms 37:2For they will wither quickly like the grass, And fade like the green herb.
• Psalms 90:5You have swept them away like a flood, they fall asleep [forgotten as soon as they are gone]; In the morning they are like grass which grows anew—
• Psalms 102:11My days are like an evening shadow that lengthens and vanishes [with the sun]; And as for me, I wither away like grass.
• Psalms 103:15As for man, his days are like grass; Like a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
• Isaiah 40:6A voice says, “Call out [prophesy].” Then he answered, “What shall I call out?” [The voice answered:] All humanity is [as frail as] grass, and all that makes it attractive [its charm, its loveliness] is [momentary] like the flower of the field.
• Matthew 6:30But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive and green today and tomorrow is [cut and] thrown [as fuel] into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!
• 1 Corinthians 7:31and those who use the world [taking advantage of its opportunities], as though they did not make full use of it. For the outward form of this world [its present social and material nature] is passing away.
• 1 Peter 1:24For, “All flesh is like grass, And all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers And the flower falls off,
• 1 John 2:17The world is passing away, and with it its lusts [the shameful pursuits and ungodly longings]; but the one who does the will of God and carries out His purposes lives forever.

Commentaries on James 1:10

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 10But the rich, in that he is made low - ͅ · In his humiliation - in his being brought to the foot of the cross to receive, as a poor and miserable sinner, redemption through the blood of the cross: and especially let him rejoice in this, because all outward glory is only as the flower of the field, and, like that, will wither and perish.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 10But the rich, in that he is made low - That is, because his property is taken away, and he is made poor. Such a transition is often the source of the deepest sorrow; but the apostle says that even in that a Christian may find occasion for thanksgiving. The reasons for rejoicing in this manner, which the apostle seems to have had in view, were these: (1)because it furnished a test of the reality of religion, by showing that it is adapted to sustain the…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 10James uses irony when he describes the terrible fate waiting for ungodly rich people. These are wealthy people who make themselves powerful by mistreating those who are poor and unable to protect themselves (see 2:6–8; 5:1–6).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 9-109-10. Translate, "But let the brother," &c. that is, the best remedy against double-mindedness is that Christian simplicity of spirit whereby the "brother," low in outward circumstances, may "rejoice" (answering to Jas 1:2) "in that he is exalted," namely, by being accounted a son and heir of God, his very sufferings being a pledge of his coming glory and crown (Jas 1:12), and the rich may rejoice "in that he is made low," by being stripped of his goods…Read the comment

Topics related to James 1:10

• Afflictions and Adversities
• Death
• Grass
• Humility
• Life
• Poor
• Resignation
• Rich, the

In the dictionaries

• Entice
• Fade
• Flowers
• Lack
• Lay
• Liberally
• Lust
• Pure
• Receive
• Religion

Commentaries on James 1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings