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James 1:2-4 KJV
James · chapter 1 · verses 2–4
2My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.James 1:2-4 · King James Version
What James 1:2-4 means
Count it all joy is an accounting word. You decide what goes in the column, which is a different thing from feeling cheerful about it. James says the trying of your faith worketh patience, and that patience has to have her perfect work. The joy isn't about the trial, it's about what the trial is making.
Study note provided by TheWay Bible App, separate from the KJV text. Read the full chapter in context and compare interpretations. Report a correction.
James 1:2-4 in context
1James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
2My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
5If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
Commentary
Cross references
- 1 Peter 1:6-8
- James 1:12
- 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
- Matthew 5:10-12
- Luke 6:22-23
- Philippians 1:29
- 2 Peter 2:9
- Romans 8:17-18
- Romans 5:3-4
- Hebrews 10:36
- Colossians 1:11
- Romans 8:28
Key words (Strong's)
- brethrenadelphosa brother, whether born of the same two parents or only of the same father or mother…G80 →
- patiencehypomonēsteadfastness, constancy, endurance, in the NT the characteristic of a man who is not…G5281 →
- Knowingginōskōto learn to know, come to know, get a knowledge of perceive, feel, to become known, to…G1097 →
- workethkatergazomaito perform, accomplish, achieve, to work outG2716 →
- perfectteleiosbrought to its end, finished, wanting nothing necessary to completeness, perfect, that…G5046 →
- wantingleipōto leave, leave behind, forsake, to be left behind, to lag, be inferior, to be destitute…G3007 →
- nothingenin, by, with etcG1722 →
- diverspoikilosa various colours, variegated, of various sortsG4164 →
Topics
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We now come to consider the matter of this epistle. In this paragraph we have the following things to be observed: - I. The suffering state of Christians in this world is represented, and that in a very instructive manner, if we attend to what is plainly and necessarily implied, together with what is fully expressed.
— Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on verses 2-12