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James 1

BSB·27 verses ·New Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1JamesἸάκωβοςIakōbos — He whom God supplantsG2385 — Full Word Study →, a servantδοῦλοςdoulos — Slave; servant in bondage or serviceG1401 — Full Word Study → of GodΘεοῦTheou — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → of the Lord JesusἸησοῦIēsou — The Lord SavesG2424 — Full Word Study → ChristΧριστοῦChristou — The Anointed OneG5547 — Full Word Study →, To theΤαῖςTais — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → twelveδώδεκαdōdeka — The number twelve; a complete setG1427 — Full Word Study → tribesφυλαῖςphylais — tribe, clan, or ethnic groupG5443 — Full Word Study → ofἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → theτῇtē — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → DispersionΔιασπορᾷDiaspora — Scattering abroad; dispersion of peopleG1290 — Full Word Study →: GreetingsΧαίρεινChairein — To rejoice, be glad, or greet with joyG5463 — Full Word Study →. 2Consider it pureΠᾶσανPasan — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study → joyχαρὰνcharan — Joy, gladness, delightG5479 — Full Word Study →, myμουmou — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → brothersἀδελφοίadelphoi — brother; male sibling or fellow believerG80 — Full Word Study →, whenὅτανhotan — whenever, at the time when, as soon asG3752 — Full Word Study → you encounterπεριπέσητεperipesēte — to fall upon; to encounter unexpectedlyG4045 — Full Word Study → trialsπειρασμοῖςpeirasmois — Testing or trial; solicitation to sinG3986 — Full Word Study → of many kindsποικίλοιςpoikilois — various, diverse, manifoldG4164 — Full Word Study →, 3because you knowγινώσκοντεςginōskontes — To know, understand, or perceiveG1097 — Full Word Study → thatὅτιhoti — that; because; since; introducing clauses of reason or contentG3754 — Full Word Study → theτὸto — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → testingδοκίμιονdokimion — A test or trial that proves qualityG1383 — Full Word Study → of yourὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → faithπίστεωςpisteōs — Trust, belief, confidence in GodG4102 — Full Word Study → developsκατεργάζεταιkatergazetai — to work out, accomplish, produceG2716 — Full Word Study → perseveranceὑπομονήνhypomonēn — Steadfast endurance; patient perseverance through trialsG5281 — Full Word Study →. 4Allowἐχέτωechetō — To have, hold, or possessG2192 — Full Word Study → perseveranceὑπομονὴhypomonē — Steadfast endurance; patient perseverance through trialsG5281 — Full Word Study → to finishτέλειονteleion — Complete, mature, fully developedG5046 — Full Word Study → its work, so thatἵναhina — in order that; so that; to the intent thatG2443 — Full Word Study → you may beἦτεēte — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → matureτέλειοιteleioi — Complete, mature, fully developedG5046 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → completeὁλόκληροιholoklēroi — Whole, complete, entireG3648 — Full Word Study →, not lacking anything. 5Nowδέde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → ifΕἰEi — if; conditional conjunction introducing hypothetical or contingent circumstancesG1487 — Full Word Study → anyτιςtis — a certain one; some; anyone; an indefinite pronounG5100 — Full Word Study → of youὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → lacksλείπεταιleipetai — to leave behind, to be lacking or deficientG3007 — Full Word Study → wisdomσοφίαςsophias — Wisdom; divine insight and practical understandingG4678 — Full Word Study →, he should askαἰτείτωaiteitō — to ask for, request, or demandG154 — Full Word Study → GodΘεοῦTheou — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study →, whoτοῦtou — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → givesδιδόντοςdidontos — to give, grant, or bestowG1325 — Full Word Study → generouslyἁπλῶςhaplōs — sincerely, generously, without reservationG574 — Full Word Study → to allπᾶσινpasin — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study → withoutμὴmē — Not; negation; lestG3361 — Full Word Study → finding faultὀνειδίζοντοςoneidizontos — to revile, reproach, or insult verballyG3679 — Full Word Study →, andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → it will be givenδοθήσεταιdothēsetai — to give, grant, or bestowG1325 — Full Word Study → to himαὐτῷautō — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study →. 6Butδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → he must askαἰτείτωaiteitō — to ask for, request, or demandG154 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → faithπίστειpistei — Trust, belief, confidence in GodG4102 — Full Word Study →, withoutμηδὲνmēden — no one, nothing, not anyG3367 — Full Word Study → doubtingδιακρινόμενοςdiakrinomenos — to distinguish, judge, or doubt between optionsG1252 — Full Word Study →, becauseγὰρgar — for, because, since (causal/explanatory conjunction)G1063 — Full Word Study → he whoho — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → doubtsδιακρινόμενοςdiakrinomenos — to distinguish, judge, or doubt between optionsG1252 — Full Word Study → is likeἔοικενeoiken — to be like, to resemble, to appear asG1503 — Full Word Study → a waveκλύδωνιklydōni — Raging waves or surging swellsG2830 — Full Word Study → of the sea, blownἀνεμιζομένῳanemizomenō — to be driven or tossed by windG416 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → tossed by the windῥιπιζομένῳrhipizomenō — to toss about, buffet, shakeG4494 — Full Word Study →. 7Thatἐκεῖνοςekeinos — that one, that person, the otherG1565 — Full Word Study → manἄνθρωποςanthrōpos — human being, man, personG444 — Full Word Study → should not expectοἰέσθωoiesthō — to suppose, think, or assumeG3633 — Full Word Study → to receiveλήμψεταίlēmpsetai — to take, receive, or obtainG2983 — Full Word Study → anythingτιti — a certain one; some; anyone; an indefinite pronounG5100 — Full Word Study → fromπαρὰpara — from, beside, with, nearG3844 — Full Word Study → theτοῦtou — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → LordΚυρίουKyriou — Lord; master; one who has authority or ownershipG2962 — Full Word Study →. 8He is a double-minded manἀνὴρanēr — Adult male, man, or husbandG435 — Full Word Study →, unstableἀκατάστατοςakatastatos — restless, unstable, unsettledG182 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → allπάσαιςpasais — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study → hisαὐτοῦautou — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → waysὁδοῖςhodois — road, way, path, journeyG3598 — Full Word Study →. 9Theho — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → brotherἀδελφὸςadelphos — brother; male sibling or fellow believerG80 — Full Word Study → in humble circumstancesταπεινὸςtapeinos — humble, lowly, of low statusG5011 — Full Word Study → should exultΚαυχάσθωKauchasthō — to boast, glory, or take pride in somethingG2744 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → hisαὐτοῦautou — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → high positionὕψειhypsei — Height; elevation; exaltationG5311 — Full Word Study →. 10Butδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → the one who is richπλούσιοςplousios — wealthy, rich, abounding in resourcesG4145 — Full Word Study → should exult in hisαὐτοῦautou — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → low positionταπεινώσειtapeinōsei — humiliation, degradation, lowly conditionG5014 — Full Word Study →, becauseὅτιhoti — that; because; since; introducing clauses of reason or contentG3754 — Full Word Study → he will pass awayπαρελεύσεταιpareleusetai — to pass by, go past, or transgressG3928 — Full Word Study → likeὡςhōs — as, like, when, in the manner thatG5613 — Full Word Study → a flowerἄνθοςanthos — flower; blossomG438 — Full Word Study → of the fieldχόρτουchortou — grass, vegetation, herbageG5528 — Full Word Study →. 11Forγὰρgar — for, because, since (causal/explanatory conjunction)G1063 — Full Word Study → theho — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → sunἥλιοςhēlios — the sun; solar light and heatG2246 — Full Word Study → risesἀνέτειλενaneteilen — to rise, spring up, dawnG393 — Full Word Study → withσὺνsyn — with, together with, alongsideG4862 — Full Word Study → scorching heatκαύσωνιkausōni — scorching heat, burning windG2742 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → withersἐξήρανενexēranen — to wither, dry up, become witheredG3583 — Full Word Study → theτὸνton — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → plantχόρτονchorton — grass, vegetation, herbageG5528 — Full Word Study →; itsαὐτοῦautou — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → flowerἄνθοςanthos — flower; blossomG438 — Full Word Study → fallsἐξέπεσενexepesen — to fall away, fail, or lose effectG1601 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → its beautyεὐπρέπειαeuprepeia — beauty, gracefulness, eleganceG2143 — Full Word Study → is lostἀπώλετοapōleto — to destroy, ruin, or cause to perishG622 — Full Word Study →. Soοὕτωςhoutōs — in this manner; thus; soG3779 — Full Word Study → tooκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study →, theho — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → rich man will fade awayμαρανθήσεταιmaranthēsetai — to fade away, wither, decayG3133 — Full Word Study → in the midst ofἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → hisαὐτοῦautou — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → pursuitsπορείαιςporeiais — a journey or course of travelG4197 — Full Word Study →. 12Blessed is the manἀνὴρanēr — Adult male, man, or husbandG435 — Full Word Study → whoὃςhos — who, which, thatG3739 — Full Word Study → perseveresὑπομένειhypomenei — To endure, persist, or remain under pressureG5278 — Full Word Study → under trialπειρασμόνpeirasmon — Testing or trial; solicitation to sinG3986 — Full Word Study →, becauseὅτιhoti — that; because; since; introducing clauses of reason or contentG3754 — Full Word Study → when he hasγενόμενοςgenomenos — to become, come into being, happenG1096 — Full Word Study → stood the testδόκιμοςdokimos — approved, tested, genuineG1384 — Full Word Study →, he will receiveλήμψεταιlēmpsetai — to take, receive, or obtainG2983 — Full Word Study → theτὸνton — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → crownστέφανονstephanon — Crown; victor's wreath; honor or rewardG4735 — Full Word Study → of lifeζωῆςzōēs — Life, living existence, vitalityG2222 — Full Word Study → thatὃνhon — who, which, thatG3739 — Full Word Study → God has promised to those whoτοῖςtois — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → loveἀγαπῶσινagapōsin — to love deeply; to cherish with affectionG25 — Full Word Study → Himαὐτόνauton — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study →. 13When temptedπειραζόμενοςpeirazomenos — to test, tempt, or tryG3985 — Full Word Study →, no oneΜηδεὶςMēdeis — no one, nothing, not anyG3367 — Full Word Study → should sayλεγέτωlegetō — to say, speak, or tellG3004 — Full Word Study →, “GodΘεοῦTheou — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study → is tempting meπειράζομαιpeirazomai — to test, tempt, or tryG3985 — Full Word Study →.” Forγὰρgar — for, because, since (causal/explanatory conjunction)G1063 — Full Word Study → GodΘεὸςTheos — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study → cannot be temptedἀπείραστόςapeirastos — incapable of being tempted; untempted by evilG551 — Full Word Study → by evilκακῶνkakōn — evil, wicked, bad, morally corruptG2556 — Full Word Study →, nor does He temptπειράζειpeirazei — to test, tempt, or tryG3985 — Full Word Study → anyone. 14Butδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → each oneἕκαστοςhekastos — eachG1538 — Full Word Study → is temptedπειράζεταιpeirazetai — to test, tempt, or tryG3985 — Full Word Study → when by his ownἰδίαςidias — one's own; private; personalG2398 — Full Word Study → evil desiresἐπιθυμίαςepithymias — Strong desire; craving; lustG1939 — Full Word Study → he is lured awayἐξελκόμενοςexelkomenos — to drag out, draw away, enticeG1828 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → enticedδελεαζόμενοςdeleazomenos — to entice or lure into sinG1185 — Full Word Study →. 15Thenεἶταeita — then, next, afterwards, subsequentlyG1534 — Full Word Study → after desire has conceivedσυλλαβοῦσαsyllabousa — to seize, arrest, or conceiveG4815 — Full Word Study →, it gives birth toτίκτειtiktei — To give birth; to bear or bring forthG5088 — Full Word Study → sinἁμαρτίανhamartian — transgression, violation of God's law; wrongdoingG266 — Full Word Study →; andδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → sinἁμαρτίαhamartia — transgression, violation of God's law; wrongdoingG266 — Full Word Study →, when it is full-grownἀποτελεσθεῖσαapotelestheisa — to complete, finish, accomplishG658 — Full Word Study →, gives birth toἀποκύειapokyei — to beget, bring forth, give birth toG616 — Full Word Study → deathθάνατονthanaton — Death; the state or condition of being deadG2288 — Full Word Study →. 16Do not be deceivedπλανᾶσθεplanasthe — to lead astray, deceive, or cause to wanderG4105 — Full Word Study →, myμουmou — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → belovedἀγαπητοίagapētoi — Beloved, dearly loved oneG27 — Full Word Study → brothersἀδελφοίadelphoi — brother; male sibling or fellow believerG80 — Full Word Study →. 17Everyπᾶσαpasa — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study → goodδόσιςdosis — a gift or act of givingG1394 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → perfectτέλειονteleion — Complete, mature, fully developedG5046 — Full Word Study → giftδώρημαdōrēma — A free gift; something given graciouslyG1434 — Full Word Study → isἐστινestin — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → from aboveἄνωθένanōthen — from above; again; from the beginningG509 — Full Word Study →, coming downκαταβαῖνονkatabainon — to descend, come down, go downG2597 — Full Word Study → fromἀπὸapo — from, away from, out ofG575 — Full Word Study → theτοῦtou — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → FatherΠατρὸςPatros — father; male parent; ancestorG3962 — Full Word Study → of the heavenly lightsφώτωνphōtōn — Light; illumination; radianceG5457 — Full Word Study →, withπαρ’par’ — from, beside, with, nearG3844 — Full Word Study → whomhō — who, which, thatG3739 — Full Word Study → there isἔνιeni — there is, existsG1762 — Full Word Study → noοὐκouk — No, not, negation particleG3756 — Full Word Study → changeπαραλλαγὴparallagē — Variation, change, or inconsistencyG3883 — Full Word Study → orē — Or; either...or; conjunction expressing alternativesG2228 — Full Word Study → shiftingτροπῆςtropēs — A turning or change; variationG5157 — Full Word Study → shadowἀποσκίασμαaposkiasma — Shadow or shading; a covering shadowG644 — Full Word Study →. 18He choseβουληθεὶςboulētheis — to desire, wish, or intend; to exercise one's willG1014 — Full Word Study → to give us birthἀπεκύησενapekyēsen — to beget, bring forth, give birth toG616 — Full Word Study → through the word of truthἀληθείαςalētheias — Truth; reality; authenticityG225 — Full Word Study →, thatεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → weἡμᾶςhēmas — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → would beεἶναιeinai — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → a kind ofτιναtina — a certain one; some; anyone; an indefinite pronounG5100 — Full Word Study → firstfruitsἀπαρχήνaparchēn — First portion of a harvest offered to GodG536 — Full Word Study → of Hisαὐτοῦautou — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → creationκτισμάτωνktismatōn — Created being; creatureG2938 — Full Word Study →. 19Myμουmou — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → belovedἀγαπητοίagapētoi — Beloved, dearly loved oneG27 — Full Word Study → brothersἀδελφοίadelphoi — brother; male sibling or fellow believerG80 — Full Word Study →, understand thisἼστεIste — to see, perceive, understand, knowG1492 — Full Word Study →: Everyoneπᾶςpas — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study → should beἔστωestō — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → quickταχὺςtachys — swift, quick, rapid in movement or actionG5036 — Full Word Study → toεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → listenἀκοῦσαιakousai — to hear, listen, or understand by earG191 — Full Word Study →, slowβραδὺςbradys — slow, sluggish, or delayed in actionG1021 — Full Word Study → toεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → speakλαλῆσαιlalēsai — to speak, say, or utter wordsG2980 — Full Word Study →, and slow toεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → angerὀργήνorgēn — Divine or human anger; wrathG3709 — Full Word Study →, 20forγὰρgar — for, because, since (causal/explanatory conjunction)G1063 — Full Word Study → man’sἀνδρὸςandros — Adult male, man, or husbandG435 — Full Word Study → angerὀργὴorgē — Divine or human anger; wrathG3709 — Full Word Study → does not bring aboutἐργάζεταιergazetai — to work, labor, or perform actionG2038 — Full Word Study → the righteousness that God desires. 21Thereforeδιὸdio — therefore, for this reason, whereforeG1352 — Full Word Study →, get ridἀποθέμενοιapothemenoi — to put away, cast off, lay asideG659 — Full Word Study → of allπᾶσανpasan — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study → moral filthῥυπαρίανrhyparian — filth, moral uncleanliness, degradationG4507 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → every expressionπερισσείανperisseian — Overabundance, surplus, excessG4050 — Full Word Study → of evilκακίαςkakias — Malice, wickedness, evil intentG2549 — Full Word Study →, and humbly acceptδέξασθεdexasthe — to receive or accept willinglyG1209 — Full Word Study → theτὸνton — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → wordλόγονlogon — word, statement, message, divine utteranceG3056 — Full Word Study → planted in you, whichτὸνton — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → canδυνάμενονdynamenon — To be able; to have power or capacityG1410 — Full Word Study → saveσῶσαιsōsai — To save, rescue, or deliver from danger or harmG4982 — Full Word Study → yourὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → soulsψυχὰςpsychas — The immaterial self; life force; personG5590 — Full Word Study →. 22BeΓίνεσθεGinesthe — to become, come into being, happenG1096 — Full Word Study → doersποιηταὶpoiētai — one who does or makes; a doerG4163 — Full Word Study → of the word, andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → notμὴmē — Not; negation; lestG3361 — Full Word Study → hearersἀκροαταὶakroatai — One who hears; a listenerG202 — Full Word Study → onlyμόνονmonon — only, alone, solelyG3440 — Full Word Study →. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselvesἑαυτούςheautous — himself, herself, itself, themselves; oneselfG1438 — Full Word Study →. 23Forὅτιhoti — that; because; since; introducing clauses of reason or contentG3754 — Full Word Study → anyoneτιςtis — a certain one; some; anyone; an indefinite pronounG5100 — Full Word Study → who hearsἀκροατὴςakroatēs — One who hears; a listenerG202 — Full Word Study → the word butκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → does not carry it outποιητήςpoiētēs — one who does or makes; a doerG4163 — Full Word Study → is likeἔοικενeoiken — to be like, to resemble, to appear asG1503 — Full Word Study → a man who looksκατανοοῦντιkatanoounti — To observe carefully; to perceive with attentionG2657 — Full Word Study → at hisαὐτοῦautou — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → faceπρόσωπονprosōpon — Face, presence, or outward appearanceG4383 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → a mirrorἐσόπτρῳesoptrō — mirror; reflective surfaceG2072 — Full Word Study →, 24and after observingκατενόησενkatenoēsen — To observe carefully; to perceive with attentionG2657 — Full Word Study → himselfἑαυτὸνheauton — himself, herself, itself, themselves; oneselfG1438 — Full Word Study → goes awayἀπελήλυθενapelēlythen — to go away, depart, leaveG565 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → immediatelyεὐθέωςeutheōs — immediately, at once, without delayG2112 — Full Word Study → forgetsἐπελάθετοepelatheto — to forget; to neglect or overlookG1950 — Full Word Study → what he looks like. 25Butδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → the one who looks intentlyπαρακύψαςparakypsas — to bend down and peer intentlyG3879 — Full Word Study → intoεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → the perfect lawνόμονnomon — law, rule, or principleG3551 — Full Word Study → of freedomἐλευθερίαςeleutherias — Freedom; liberty from bondage or constraintG1657 — Full Word Study →, andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → continues to do soπαραμείναςparameinas — to remain beside, stay with, persist inG3887 — Full Word Study →notοὐκouk — No, not, negation particleG3756 — Full Word Study → beingγενόμενοςgenomenos — to become, come into being, happenG1096 — Full Word Study → a forgetfulἐπιλησμονῆςepilēsmonēs — forgetfulness, state of being forgottenG1953 — Full Word Study → hearerἀκροατὴςakroatēs — One who hears; a listenerG202 — Full Word Study →, butἀλλὰalla — but, yet, rather, on the other handG235 — Full Word Study → an effectiveἔργουergou — Work, deed, or action; labor or taskG2041 — Full Word Study → doerποιητὴςpoiētēs — one who does or makes; a doerG4163 — Full Word Study →—he will beἔσταιestai — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → blessedμακάριοςmakarios — Blessed; happy; favored by GodG3107 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → whatτῇtē — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → heαὐτοῦautou — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → doesποιήσειpoiēsei — deed, action, work doneG4162 — Full Word Study →. 26IfΕἴEi — if; conditional conjunction introducing hypothetical or contingent circumstancesG1487 — Full Word Study → anyoneτιςtis — a certain one; some; anyone; an indefinite pronounG5100 — Full Word Study → considers himselfδοκεῖdokei — to seem, appear, or think; to suppose or judgeG1380 — Full Word Study → religiousθρησκὸςthrēskos — devoted to religious practice; devoutG2357 — Full Word Study → and yet does not bridle hisαὐτοῦ*autou — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → tongueγλῶσσανglōssan — tongue; language; speechG1100 — Full Word Study →, he deceivesἀπατῶνapatōn — to deceive or trick someoneG538 — Full Word Study → hisαὐτοῦ*autou — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → heartκαρδίανkardian — heart; center of emotion, will, and moral characterG2588 — Full Word Study → and his religionθρησκείαthrēskeia — Religious practice; outward worship or observanceG2356 — Full Word Study → is worthless. 27Pureκαθαρὰkathara — clean, pure, uncontaminatedG2513 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → undefiledἀμίαντοςamiantos — Undefiled, pure, unstainedG283 — Full Word Study → religionθρησκείαthrēskeia — Religious practice; outward worship or observanceG2356 — Full Word Study → beforeπαρὰpara — from, beside, with, nearG3844 — Full Word Study → our GodΘεῷTheō — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → FatherΠατρὶPatri — father; male parent; ancestorG3962 — Full Word Study → isἐστίνestin — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → thisαὕτηhautē — This one; he, she, it; that person or thingG3778 — Full Word Study →: to care forἐπισκέπτεσθαιepiskeptesthai — to visit, care for, inspect, look uponG1980 — Full Word Study → orphansὀρφανοὺςorphanous — orphan; one bereft of parents or protectionG3737 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → widowsχήραςchēras — A woman whose husband has diedG5503 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → theirαὐτῶνautōn — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → distressθλίψειthlipsei — Pressure, affliction, tribulationG2347 — Full Word Study →, and to keep oneselfἑαυτὸνheauton — himself, herself, itself, themselves; oneselfG1438 — Full Word Study → from being pollutedἄσπιλονaspilon — spotless, without blemish or stainG784 — Full Word Study → byἀπὸapo — from, away from, out ofG575 — Full Word Study → theτοῦtou — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → worldκόσμουkosmou — The world; the cosmos; the system of humanity opposed to GodG2889 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — James 1
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

James chapter 1 sets the foundational theme of his entire letter: authentic Christian faith must be demonstrated through action and perseverance. Writing to believers scattered across the Roman world, James addresses the trials and temptations that test our faith, showing how God uses difficulty to mature us spiritually. He emphasizes that true religion is not mere intellectual assent or religious appearance, but a living relationship with God that produces patience, wisdom, and tangible works of love toward others.

Verses 1–5: Greeting and the Purpose of Trials

James identifies himself humbly as a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, establishing his authority while maintaining a posture of humility. He addresses the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad—Jewish Christians dispersed by persecution—reminding them of their spiritual identity and cohesion despite geographical separation.

In verses 2–4, James gives counterintuitive instruction: count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations. This is not masochism but spiritual wisdom. Trials (Greek peirasmos) test and strengthen faith like fire refines gold. The trying of your faith worketh patience—endurance develops character. Verse 4 reveals God's goal: that patience have its perfect work, making believers perfect and entire, wanting nothing. Spiritual maturity comes through perseverance in difficulty.

Verse 5 transitions to a practical help: if believers lack wisdom to navigate trials, they should ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not. God gives generously without reproach. He doesn't shame us for asking; He welcomes our requests. This sets up verses 6–8's warning: ask in faith, not wavering (Greek diakrino—doubting or being divided). The doubter is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed—unstable and unreliable. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. Such a person cannot expect to receive God's gifts.

Application: When facing trials, ask God for wisdom with confident faith. Doubt paralyzes; trust mobilizes.

Verses 9–12: Reversal of Status and Endurance's Reward

James addresses both poverty and wealth. The brother of low degree should rejoice in that he is exalted—not in earthly status, but in his spiritual position in Christ. Conversely, the rich should rejoice in that he is made low (humbled), recognizing that material wealth is temporary. As the flower of the grass he shall pass away—verses 10–11 emphasize the swift fading of earthly riches. This is not anti-wealth teaching but a call to proper perspective: earthly status, rich or poor, is fleeting.

Verse 12 pronounces blessing: Blessed is the man that endureth temptation. When tested and proven faithful, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Perseverance yields eternal reward.

Application: Neither poverty nor wealth defines your worth. Your true value lies in Christ, and your reward is secured through faithful endurance.

Verses 13–18: God's Nature and the Source of Sin

James clarifies crucial theology: God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man (verse 13). God never entices toward sin. Rather, every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed (verse 14). Sin originates in our desires, not God's character. Verse 15 traces sin's tragic progression: lust conceives sin, sin brings forth death.

Verses 17–18 establish God's absolute goodness: Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, proceeding from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. God is unchangeably good. By His sovereign will, begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits—we are His precious possession.

Application: Blame neither God nor circumstances for temptation toward sin; take responsibility for your choices, knowing God's goodness is unwavering.

Verses 19–27: Religion in Action

Swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath (verse 19)—this describes the spiritually mature listener. The wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God (verse 20). Verse 21 calls believers to receive with meekness the engrafted word, which can save your souls.

Verses 22–25 warn against mere hearing without doing. One who hears but doesn't obey is like someone glancing in a mirror then forgetting his face. But the

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