James 1:2

James 1:2 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
• 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,
• New Living Translation (NLT)Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.

Context of James 1:2

1James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings. Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 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 is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
• Matthew 5:10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
• Luke 6:22Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.
• Acts 5:41The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.
• Romans 8:17Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
• 2 Corinthians 12:9But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
• 2 Corinthians 12:10That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
• Philippians 1:29For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him,
• Philippians 2:17But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.
• Colossians 1:24Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.
• Hebrews 10:34You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.
• 1 Peter 4:13But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
• Hebrews 11:36Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.
• 1 Peter 1:6In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.
• 2 Peter 2:9if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.
• Revelation 2:10Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.

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

• Afflictions and Adversities
• Joy
• Temptation

In the dictionaries

• Afflictions
• Entice
• Fade
• 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