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;
• 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

1This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing to the “twelve tribes”—Jewish believers scattered abroad. Greetings! Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

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 1:12God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
• Matthew 5:10God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
• Luke 6:22What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man.
• Acts 5:41The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus.
• Romans 8:17And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.
• 2 Corinthians 12:9Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
• 2 Corinthians 12:10That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
• Philippians 1:29For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him.
• Philippians 2:17But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy.
• Colossians 1:24I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church.
• Hebrews 10:34You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.
• 1 Peter 4:13Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.
• Hebrews 11:36Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons.
• 1 Peter 1:6So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while.
• 2 Peter 2:9So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while keeping the wicked under punishment until the day of final judgment.
• Revelation 2:10Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, 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

• 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