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Consider it immeasurable joy,1 my brothers, whenever various trials befall you,2
| 1 | Consider it immeasurable joy: See notes on Matthew 5:12. [Acts 5:41] Joy. Happiness and joy are often confused or used interchangeably. There is a difference that should be kept in mind. “Joy” is from a root in LATIN and ENGLISH that refers to the smoothness of the brow – not frowning. The best synonym for it is “glad” or “satisfied” and it is a state of mental satisfaction that continues despite intermittent moments of grief or exaltation. Thus the Nazarene was able to endure the stake for the joy set before him. (Hebrews 12:2) “Happy” is a word from the marketplace where one has made an unusually good buy and this elation of spirit lasts as long as that appreciation for the object bought or the money saved. Joy is often associated with endurance and trials in the Scriptures. The Bible is a book of Joy and the word-group occurs upwards of 400 times with the first occurrence in Moses [Deuteronomy 16:15 – “You must become nothing but joyful.” Exodus 4:14 – “He will certainly rejoice in his heart.”]. In the Christian Bible it is Luke who is called the “Theologian of Joy” using the word over two dozen times in his two letters to Theophilos. The idea of joy and trial is straight out of the Mountain Teachings by the Nazarene. (See notes on Matthew 5:12) It is Paul who exhorts at Philippians 4:4 – “Once more I will say, Rejoice!” |
| 2 | Whenever various trials befall you: The Christian Jews were persecuted first, then later the non-Jewish Christians. “Trials” may infer other than persecution and include what Paul calls this season’s “groaning pain.” [See notes on Romans 8:22; 1 Peter 4:14] The persecuted are not necessarily “happy” but they can be glad or satisfied (joy) they endure for a godly reason and rejoice in the heavenly reward. The Christian must expect trials of faith as the Nazarene warned of them often – from his initial sending of the apostles out into the harvest, to End-Time warnings, to his final Passover with them. Trials may be in the form of temptations, personal afflictions, and persecution in various modes. The word “trials” itself occurs only 3 times outside of James. [Luke 22:28; Acts 20:19; 1 Peter 1:6] |
| 3 | This testing of your deep conviction works out endurance: Or, KJV: the trying of your faith worketh patience; NEB: fortitude; GDS: steadfastness. See notes on James 5:11 and the example of Job’s sufferings. [Job chapters 1-3] This truth became much evident throughout the centuries of Christian martyrdoms. Tested. The idea of The Test upon each anointed saint occurs frequently. [Acts 14:22; John 15:20; 2 Timothy 3:12] The Nazarene was tested in a manner similar to Job and so must every individual saint. [Hebrews 5:8; 4:15; Job 23:10; 34:36] The word “test” occurs upwards of 80 times with the first occurrence at Genesis 22:1, “God put Abraham to the test.” Here in James the GREEK is DOKIMION regarding which Dictionary of New Testament Theology [Volume 3 pages 808ff] comments: “Tested, approved, genuine, esteemed… test, probation… established by trial, investigation, testing (preparatory to installing in an office)… to recognize coins as valid currency (Proverbs 25:4 LXX)… Used mostly by Paul in the sense of recognized, approved, accepted… With dokimazo the stress falls on a positive result in which that which is tested passes and is recognized as genuine.” |
Dear Friends of the Nazarene,
Today we begin to examine the epistle of James which has the overall theme – “Enduring Trials by Works of Faith.” We choose James 1:2 as the theme verse of chapter one – Happy Endurers.
James writes about the happiness of the tested doer. [1-4] He argues that trials perfect endurance. He warns that doubt can make one indecisive and he stresses the need to have faith in asking a generous God for wisdom to endure. [5-8] He abruptly – but with purpose – introduces the godly boasting of the poor and the ultimate fading of the rich. [9-11] He discusses how to endure by getting at the root of the problem – desire and the temptations that result. [12-15] He warns the rich that God has not change – does not change – and therefore one can count on nothing but perfection in God’s gifts. One of these gifts is a birth as firstfruits of God’s harvest. [16-18] There is an exhortation to listen and respond quickly but control one’s mouth. [19-21] While ridding oneself of anything filthy there is the need to be mild as the Word is engrafted. It is the doer and not just the hearer who will find happiness. [22-27]
Finally, “pure religion” is identified by three attributes: 1] control of the tongue; 2] care of the needy; 3] freedom of worldly spots. These three seem particularly directed to the rich. TONGUE: it is the rich who misuse the tongue in a] pride; b] slander; c] impartial criticism. [See notes on James 2:1, 4, 6, 7; 3:5; 4:2, 4, 5, 6, 11, 13, 16; 5:1-6] CHARITY: it is the rich who have failed in this despite token donations. [See notes on James 1:27; 2:5, 15,16; 5:4] WORLDLINESS: It is the rich with more opportunity to be involved with and there can be spotted by worldliness. [See notes on James 2:2; 4:2-4, 13-16; 5:5]
Conclusion: There is a particular warning to the rich (= those with a surplus) in this letter of James. At the same time there is encouragement to the poor to exercise patient endurance in their trials.
Abba our Father bless tested doers.
[25 August 2002]
Instead of murmuring over trials and temptations, rejoice in them.
