God’s Word Translation
James 1:2
2My brothers and sisters, be very happy when you are tested in different ways.
James 1:2 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
- New International Version (NIV)Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
- English Standard Version (ESV)Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
- New King James Version (NKJV)My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
Context of James 1:2
1From James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. To God’s faithful people who have been scattered. Greetings. My brothers and sisters, be very happy when you are tested in different ways. 3You know that such testing of your faith produces endurance. 4Endure until your testing is over. Then you will be mature and complete, and you won’t need anything.
Read all of James 1James 1:2 word by word
Πᾶσαν χαρὰν ἡγήσασθε, ἀδελφοί μου, ὅταν πειρασμοῖς περιπέσητε ποικίλοις,Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Myἐγώegō · I/weG1473
- brethrenἀδελφόςadelphos · brotherG80
- count itἡγέομαιhēgeomai · to governG2233
- allπᾶςpas · allG3956
- joyχαράchara · joyG5479
- whenὅτανhotan · when(-ever)G3752
- ye fall intoπεριπίπτωperipiptō · to fall uponG4045
- diversποικίλοςpoikilos · variousG4164
- temptationsπειρασμόςpeirasmos · temptation/testing: testingG3986
Cross-references for James 1:2
- James 1:12Blessed are those who endure when they are tested. When they pass the test, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
- Matthew 5:10Blessed are those who are persecuted for doing what God approves of. The kingdom of heaven belongs to them.
- Luke 6:22Blessed are you when people hate you, avoid you, insult you, and slander you because you are committed to the Son of Man.
- Acts 5:41The apostles left the council room. They were happy to have been considered worthy to suffer dishonor for speaking about Jesus.
- Romans 8:17If we are his children, we are also God’s heirs. If we share in Christ’s suffering in order to share his glory, we are heirs together with him.
- 2 Corinthians 12:9But he told me: “My kindness is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak.” So I will brag even more about my weaknesses in order that Christ’s power will live in me.
- 2 Corinthians 12:10Therefore, I accept weakness, mistreatment, hardship, persecution, and difficulties suffered for Christ. It’s clear that when I’m weak, I’m strong.
- Philippians 1:29God has given you the privilege not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for him.
- Philippians 2:17My life is being poured out as a part of the sacrifice and service ⌞I offer to God⌟ for your faith. Yet, I am filled with joy, and I share that joy with all of you.
- Colossians 1:24I am happy to suffer for you now. In my body I am completing whatever remains of Christ’s sufferings. I am doing this on behalf of his body, the church.
- Hebrews 10:34You suffered with prisoners. You were cheerful even though your possessions were stolen, since you know that you have a better and more permanent possession.
- 1 Peter 4:13but be happy as you share Christ’s sufferings. Then you will also be full of joy when he appears again in his glory.
- Hebrews 11:36Some were made fun of and whipped, and some were chained and put in prison.
- 1 Peter 1:6You are extremely happy about these things, even though you have to suffer different kinds of trouble for a little while now.
- 2 Peter 2:9Since the Lord did all this, he knows how to rescue godly people when they are tested. He also knows how to hold immoral people for punishment on the day of judgment.
- Revelation 2:10Don’t be afraid of what you are going to suffer. The devil is going to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested. Your suffering will go on for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Commentaries on James 1:2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2Count it all joy - The word , which we translate temptation, signifies affliction, persecution, or trial of any kind; and in this sense it is used here, not intending diabolic suggestion, or what is generally understood by the word temptation.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2My brethren - Not brethren as Jews, but as Christians. Compare James 2:1. Count it all joy - Regard it as a thing to rejoice in; a matter which should afford you happiness. You are not to consider it as a punishment, a curse, or a calamity, but as a fit subject of felicitation. Compare the notes at Matthew 5:12. When ye fall into divers temptations - Oh the meaning of the word “temptations,” see the notes at Matthew 4:1. It is now commonly used in the…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2My brothers: Refer to study note on 2:1. James uses a wordplay. The Greek word for "joy" (chara) sounds similar to the Greek word for "greetings" that he used at the beginning of his letter in 1:1. This wordplay helps connect the opening greeting with his encouragement to find joy even during difficult times.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. My brethren--a phrase often found in James, marking community of nation and of faith. all joy--cause for the highest joy [Grotius]. Nothing but joy [Piscator]. Count all "divers temptations" to be each matter of joy [Bengel]. fall into--unexpectedly, so as to be encompassed by them (so the original Greek). temptations--not in the limited sense of allurements to sin, but trials or distresses of any kind which test and purify the Christian character…Read the comment
Topics related to James 1:2
In the dictionaries
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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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