James 1:9

James 1:9 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:
• New International Version (NIV)Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation,
• New King James Version (NKJV)Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation,

Context of James 1:9

7for let not that man think that he shall receive anything from the Lord; 8[he is] a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. But let the brother of low degree glory in his elevation, 10and the rich in his humiliation, because as [the] grass's flower he will pass away. 11For the sun has risen with its burning heat, and has withered the grass, and its flower has fallen, and the comeliness of its look has perished: thus the rich also shall wither in his goings.

James 1:9 word by word

καυχάσθω δὲ ὁ ἀδελφὸς ὁ ταπεινὸς ἐν τῷ ὕψει αὐτοῦ,Read the interlinear

• brotherἀδελφόςadelphos · brotherG80

Cross-references for James 1:9

• James 2:5Hear, my beloved brethren: Has not God chosen the poor as to the world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to them that love him?
• Deuteronomy 15:7If there be amongst you a poor man, any one of thy brethren in one of thy gates, in thy land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thy heart, nor shut thy hand from thy brother in need;
• Psalms 62:9Men of low degree are only vanity; men of high degree, a lie: laid in the balance, they go up together [lighter] than vanity.
• Proverbs 17:5Whoso mocketh a poor [man] reproacheth his Maker; he that is glad at calamity shall not be held innocent.
• Proverbs 19:1Better is a poor [man] that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
• Luke 1:52He has put down rulers from thrones, and exalted the lowly.
• Jeremiah 9:23Thus saith Jehovah: Let not the wise glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty glory in his might; let not the rich glory in his riches:
• Romans 5:2by whom we have also access by faith into this favour in which we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God.
• Philippians 3:3For we are the circumcision, who worship by [the] Spirit of God, and boast in Christ Jesus, and do not trust in flesh.
• 1 Samuel 2:8He raiseth up the poor out of the dust; from the dung-hill he lifteth up the needy, To set [him] among nobles; and he maketh them inherit a throne of glory; For the pillars of the earth are Jehovah's, and he hath set the world upon them.
• Psalms 113:7He raiseth up the poor out of the dust; from the dung-hill he lifteth up the needy,
• Luke 9:48and said to them, Whosoever shall receive this little child in my name receives me, and whosoever shall receive me receives him that sent me. For he who is the least among you all, he is great.
• Luke 10:20Yet in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subjected to you, but rejoice that your names are written in the heavens.
• Romans 8:17And if children, heirs also: heirs of God, and Christ's joint heirs; if indeed we suffer with [him], that we may also be glorified with [him].
• 2 Corinthians 6:10as grieved, but always rejoicing; as poor, but enriching many; as having nothing, and possessing all things.
• Philippians 3:14I pursue, [looking] towards [the] goal, for the prize of the calling on high of God in Christ Jesus.

Commentaries on James 1:9

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 9Let the brother of low degree - The poor, destitute Christian may glory in the cross of Christ, and the blessed hope laid up for him in heaven; for, being a child of God, he is an heir of God, and a joint heir with Christ.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 9Let the brother of low degree - This verse seems to introduce a new topic, which has no other connection with what precedes than that the apostle is discussing the general subject of trials. Compare James 1:2. Turning from the consideration of trials in general, he passes to the consideration of a particular kind of trials, that which results from a change of circumstances in life, from poverty to affluence, and from affluence to poverty. The idea which…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 9should exult: In the New Testament, boasting is often seen as negative (3:14; 4:16; Ephesians 2:9). But here it refers to being proud of what God has done (James 2:5; Romans 15:18; 1 Corinthians 1:31; Galatians 6:14).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 1:9

• Humility
• Poor
• Resignation
• Rich, the
• Thankfulness

In the dictionaries

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

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