Page 10 - General Epistles (James through Jude) Textbook

Trials of Many Kinds (Jas. 1:2-12).
James encourages his audience—the Jews who were Christians—to consider it pure Joy during trials of
many kinds. The word consider is in an imperative form. So, consideration of pure joy was not an option
but a command. Whether they liked it or not, it was mandatory for them to consider it pure joy. The
words “temptation” and “trial” come from the same Greek word. Context decides which meaning
should be considered. So, trials of many kinds might have two meanings. 1) It could mean the process of
testing (cf. 1 Pet. 4:12) or 2) the inner enticement to sin (cf. 1 Tim. 6:9;
Luke 22:40, 46; 1:13-15). In this context, trials of many kinds mean the
process of testing. Why is James commanding his recipients to consider
it pure joy whenever they face various trials? 1) “because you know that
the testing of your faith produces endurance. . . so that you will be
perfect and complete, not deficient in anything” (vv3-4). That perfection
and completeness “refers to the moral and spiritual wholeness of the
individual. . . a rounding out as more and more ‘parts’ of the righteous
character are added (Ezek. 15:5).” This is at the core of James’s message.”
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James is teaching us that Christian maturity does not come without having to experience some
unexpected challenges. Mistreatment toward some of those challenges may determine the scope of
perfection and completeness to be received in Christ. In a nutshell, it may determine the extent of
Christian maturity to be had. I am promising us that if we consider it pure joy whenever we face various
kinds of trials, that is, allowing our faith in Jesus to be tested, endurance would be produced in us. Then,
we would be able to reap the objectives of many kinds of trials that we always face—perfection and
completeness in Christ—.

Wisdom (vv5-8).
So, how were the recipients expected to consider going through persecutions of any kinds as pure joy? Is
that even possible? James would give us answers to those questions by introducing us to what he
presented to his audience as one of the best ways that would help his audience to be able to consider
experience of various kinds of trials as pure joy. That is wisdom (vv5-8). How can one have that wisdom,
who is the source, and when can we miss wisdom? James says that God is the source of wisdom.
Wisdom is not a wage (something you need to work for in order to have it). It is the product of our
asking to God as the source. For me, wisdom is not a want (something that even without it, we can still
continue to be satisfied with life). But then, there is one means of getting it. James is encouraging us to
ask for it and that by faith. So, if the means of having wisdom is asking God by faith, then, the means of
missing it is by asking God for it without faith. James describes the person who does not believe that
God can give him wisdom as a doubter and a double-minded, hence, unstable in all they do. “Double-
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minded describes someone who tries to live two contradictory lifestyles (see Prov. 11:3).” And for such
Christians, not only can they not receive the wisdom they have asked for, but anything they might ask
for from God.

Those in Humble Circumstances and the Rich (vv9-11).
James seems to be introducing his audience to one of the various kinds of trials, poverty (cf. Jas. 2:1-7).
He encourages them not to fix their eyes on their earthly status, namely; low position, as it is temporal.
But to take pride in their high position. High position here could mean being found in Christ. In a
nutshell, possessing the righteous standing that God requires. Pride here “Conveys the sense of being
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glad or joyful (rather than the familiar sense of arrogant boasting).” On the opposite side of the coin,
the rich should take pride in their humiliation that might come about from the possibility of losing their

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