SEV Biblia, Chapter 1:2
¶ Hermanos míos, tened por sumo gozo cuando os hallis en diversas pruebas,
Clarke's Bible Commentary - James 1:2
Verse 2. Count it all joy] The word peirasmov, 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.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 2. My brethren , etc.] Not only according to the flesh, he being a Jew as they were; but in a spiritual sense, they being born again of the same grace, belonging to the same family and household of faith, and having the same Father, and being all the children of God, by faith in Christ Jesus: count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations ; not the temptations of Satan, or temptations to sin; for these cannot be matter of joy, but grief; these are fiery darts, and give a great deal of uneasiness and trouble; but afflictions and persecutions for the sake of the Gospel, which are so called here and elsewhere, because they are trials of the faith of God's people, and of other graces of the Spirit of God. God by these tempts his people, as he did Abraham, when he called him to sacrifice his son; he thereby tried his faith, fear, love, and obedience; so by afflictions, God tries the graces of his people; not that he might know them, for he is not ignorant of them, but that they might be made manifest to others; and these are divers: many are the afflictions of the righteous; through much tribulation they must enter the kingdom; it is a great fight of afflictions which they endure, as these believers did; their trials came from different quarters; they were persecuted by their countrymen the Jews, and were distressed by the Gentiles, among whom they lived; and their indignities and reproaches were many; and their sufferings of different sorts, as confiscation of goods, imprisonment of body, banishment, scourgings, and death in various shapes: and these they fall into; not by chance, nor altogether at an unawares, or unexpectedly; but they fell into them through the wickedness and malice of their enemies, and did not bring them upon themselves through any crime or enormity they were guilty of: and when this was their case, the apostle exhorts them to count it all joy, or matter of joy, of exceeding great joy, even of the greatest joy; not that these afflictions were joyous in themselves, but in their circumstances, effects, and consequences; as they tried, and exercised, and improved the graces of the Spirit, and worked for their good, spiritual and eternal, and produced in them the peaceable fruit of righteousness; and as they were attended with the presence and Spirit of God, and of glory; and as they made for, and issued in the glory of God; and because of that great reward in heaven which would follow them; (see Matthew 5:11,12 1 Peter 4:14). The Jews have a saying , whoever rejoices in afflictions that come upon him, brings salvation to the world.
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
πασαν 3956 χαραν 5479 ηγησασθε 2233 5662 αδελφοι 80 μου 3450 οταν 3752 πειρασμοις 3986 περιπεσητε 4045 5632 ποικιλοις 4164
Vincent's NT Word Studies
2. All joy (pasan caran). Joy follows up the rejoice of the greeting. The all has the sense of wholly. Count it a thing wholly joyful, without admixture of sorrow. Perhaps, as Bengel suggests, the all applies to all kinds of temptations.
When (otan). Lit., whenever: better, because it implies that temptation may be expected all along the Christian course.
Ye fall into (peripeshte). The preposition peri, around, suggests falling into something which surrounds. Thus Thucydides, speaking of the plague at Athens, says, "The Athenians, having fallen into (peripesontev) such affliction, were pressed by it."
Divers (poikiloiv). Rev., manifold. See on 1 Pet. i. 6.
Temptations (peirasmoiv). In the general sense of trials. See on Matt. vi. 13; 1 Pet. i. 6.
