New King James Version
James 1:2
2My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
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 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 bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings. My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
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 is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
- Matthew 5:10Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Luke 6:22Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you, And revile you, and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man’s sake.
- Acts 5:41So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.
- Romans 8:17and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
- 2 Corinthians 12:9And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
- 2 Corinthians 12:10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
- Philippians 1:29For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,
- Philippians 2:17Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.
- Colossians 1:24I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,
- Hebrews 10:34for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven.
- 1 Peter 4:13but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
- Hebrews 11:36Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment.
- 1 Peter 1:6In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,
- 2 Peter 2:9then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment,
- Revelation 2:10Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation 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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries