SEV Biblia, Chapter 1:11
Porque salido el sol con ardor, la hierba se seca, y su flor se cae, y perece su hermosa apariencia; así tambin se marchitar el rico en todos sus caminos.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - James 1:11
Verse 11. For the sun is no sooner risen] We need not pursue this metaphor, as St. James' meaning is sufficiently clear: All human things are transitory; rise and fall, or increase and decay, belong to all the productions of the earth, and to all its inhabitants. This is unavoidable, for in many cases the very cause of their growth becomes the cause of their decay and destruction. The sun by its genial heat nourishes and supports all plants and animals; but when it arises with a burning heat, the atmosphere not being tempered with a sufficiency of moist vapours, the juices are exhaled from the plants; the earth, for lack of moisture, cannot afford a sufficient supply; vegetation becomes checked; and the plants soon wither and die. Earthly possessions are subject to similar mutations. God gives and resumes them at his pleasure, and for reasons which he seldom explains to man. He shows them to be uncertain, that they may never become an object of confidence to his followers, and that they may put their whole trust in God. If for righteousness' sake any of those who were in affluence suffer loss, or spoiling of their goods, they should consider that, while they have gained that of infinite worth, they have lost what is but of little value, and which in the nature of things they must soon part with, though they should suffer nothing on account of religion.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 11. For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat , etc.] As it is about the middle of the day, when it shines in its full strength, and its heat is very great and scorching, especially in the summer season, and in hot climates: but it withereth the grass ; strikes it with heat, causes it to shrivel, and dries it up; and the flower thereof falleth ; drops off from it to the ground: and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth ; its form and colour, its glory and beauty, which were pleasant to the eye, are lost, and no more to be recovered. This shows, that earthly riches, like the flower of the field, have an outward show and glory in them, which attract the mind, and fix an attention to them for a while; they are gay and glittering, and look lovely, are pleasant to behold, and desirable to enjoy; but when the sun of persecution, or any other outward calamity arises, they are quickly destroyed, and are no more. So also shall the rich man fade away in his ways ; riches are uncertain things now, they often make themselves wings and flee away; they are things that are not, that are not solid and substantial they are a vain show; they sometimes fade away in a man's lifetime, before he dies; and he fades away, and comes to decay, amidst all the ways and means, designs and schemes, he forms and pursues, and all the actions and business he does; and if not, when he fades away, and dies amidst all his riches, his glory does not descend after him, but falls off from him, as the flower of the field before the heat of the sun.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-11 - Christianity teaches men to be joyful under troubles: such exercise are sent from God's love; and trials in the way of duty will brighte our graces now, and our crown at last. Let us take care, in times of trial, that patience, and not passion, is set to work in us: whateve is said or done, let patience have the saying and doing of it. When the work of patience is complete, it will furnish all that is necessary for our Christian race and warfare. We should not pray so much for the removal of affliction, as for wisdom to make a right use of it. And wh does not want wisdom to guide him under trials, both in regulating his own spirit, and in managing his affairs? Here is something in answer to every discouraging turn of the mind, when we go to God under a sense of our own weakness and folly. If, after all, any should say, This may be the case with some, but I fear I shall not succeed, the promise is, To any that asketh, it shall be given. A mind that has single an prevailing regard to its spiritual and eternal interest, and that keep steady in its purposes for God, will grow wise by afflictions, wil continue fervent in devotion, and rise above trials and oppositions When our faith and spirits rise and fall with second causes, there wil be unsteadiness in our words and actions. This may not always expos men to contempt in the world, but such ways cannot please God. N condition of life is such as to hinder rejoicing in God. Those of lo degree may rejoice, if they are exalted to be rich in faith and heir of the kingdom of God; and the rich may rejoice in humblin providences, that lead to a humble and lowly disposition of mind Worldly wealth is a withering thing. Then, let him that is rich rejoic in the grace of God, which makes and keeps him humble; and in the trials and exercises which teach him to seek happiness in and from God not from perishing enjoyments.
Greek Textus Receptus
ανετειλεν 393 5656 γαρ 1063 ο 3588 ηλιος 2246 συν 4862 τω 3588 καυσωνι 2742 και 2532 εξηρανεν 3583 5656 τον 3588 χορτον 5528 και 2532 το 3588 ανθος 438 αυτου 846 εξεπεσεν 1601 5627 και 2532 η 3588 ευπρεπεια 2143 του 3588 προσωπου 4383 αυτου 846 απωλετο 622 5639 ουτως 3779 και 2532 ο 3588 πλουσιος 4145 εν 1722 ταις 3588 πορειαις 4197 αυτου 846 μαρανθησεται 3133 5701
Vincent's NT Word Studies
11. For the sun is no sooner risen, etc. (aneteilen gar o hliov). By the use of the aorist tense James graphically throws his illustration into the narrative form: "For the sun arose - and withered," etc.With a burning heat (tw kauswni). Rev., with the scorching wind. The article denotes something familiar; and the reference may be to the scorching east-wind (Job i. 19, Sept.; Ezek. xvii. 10), which withers vegetation. Some of the best authorities, however, prefer the rendering of the A.V.
Falleth (exepesen). Aorist tense. Lit., fell off.
The grace of the fashion (euprepeia tou proswpou). Lit., the beauty of its face or appearance. Eujprepeia only here in New Testament.
Fade away (maranqhsetai). See on 1 Pet. i. 4.
Ways (poreiaiv). Rev., goings. Only here and Luke xiii. 22. His goings to and fro in acquiring riches.
