james-1:12-14,-ecclesiastes-9:10-11

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - James 1:12-18

(12-18) The Apostle returns to the consideration of the afflicted Christian. Such a one has a blessedness, greater infinitely than any earthly happiness, already in possession, and the promise of a future beyond all comparison.It may be well to point out in this place that the idea of blessedness with regard to man is conveyed to us in the New Testament by a different word from that which expresses the like concerning God. The force of this may be seen in Mark 14:61, where the high priest asks... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - James 1:13

(13) Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God.—Far be it from the true Christian either to give way to sin “that grace may abound” (Romans 6:1), or to suppose for one moment that God, and therefore power invincible, is drawing him from righteousness. Almost every reflection upon the nature of sin leads up to an inquiry as to its cause; and the enigma will hardly be solved in this life. The very facts of the presence of evil amongst God’s creatures, and its continual attraction... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - James 1:14

(14) So far the inspired Apostle has spoken of the outward part of temptation; now he lays bare the inner—for we suffer the two-fold evil. From without come the whispers of Satan, by himself or his legionaries, skilled in all that may entice and delude the unwary soul. And if the doctrine be true that to every one a guardian angel is appointed, so also would seem to be the opposite idea, that each has some demon of the pit watching him incessantly, and commissioned specially for his utter... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - James 1:1-27

James 1:3 It sometimes seems a little strange how, after having earnestly prayed to be delivered from temptation, and having given ourselves with shut eyes into God's hand, from that time every thought, every outward influence, every acknowledged law of life, seems to lead us on from strength to strength. Mrs. Gaskell, in Ruth (ch. XXIII.). Never expect thy flesh should truly expound the meaning of the rod. It will call love, hatred; and say, God is destroying, when He is saving. It is the... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - James 1:12-18

Chapter 8THE SOURCE OF TEMPTATIONS AND THE REALITY OF SIN THE DIFFICULTIES OF THE DETERMINIST.James 1:12-18AFTER the slight digression respecting the short-lived glory of the rich man, St. James returns once more to the subject with which the letter opens-the blessing of trials and temptations as opportunities of patience, and the blessedness of the man who endures them, and thus earns "the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to them that love him." These last words are very interesting... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - James 1:1-27

Analysis and Annotations I. TRIALS AND THE EXERCISE OF FAITH CHAPTER 1 1. Trials and the power of faith (James 1:1-4 ) 2. The resources of faith (James 1:5-8 ) 3. The realization of faith (James 1:9-11 ) 4. The conquest of faith (James 1:12-15 ) 5. The result of faith (James 1:16-27 ) James 1:1-4 The first verse is the introduction. The writer is James, but he does not add, as he might have done, “the brother of the Lord.” It would have identified his person at once, and being the... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - James 1:12

1:12 {10} Blessed [is] the man that endureth {l} temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.(10) The conclusion: Therefore we must patiently bear the affliction: and he adds a fourth argument, which comprehends the sum of all the former, that is, we gain the crown of life in this way, yet by grace according to the promise.(l) Affliction, by which the Lord tries him. read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - James 1:13

1:13 {11} Let no man say when he is {m} tempted, I am tempted of God: {12} for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:(11) The third part of this epistle, in which he descends from outward temptations, that is, from afflictions by which God tries us: to inward, that is, to those lusts by which we are stirred up to do evil. The sum is this: Every man is the author of these temptations by himself, and not God: for we carry in our bodies that wicked corruption, which seeks... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - James 1:1-27

This chapter has a very close relationship to the Old Testament, for all is seen in connection with God; and Christ is not yet spoken of as the center and essence of all blessing and of all direction for the people of God. Chapter 2 introduces this. James writes simply as a bondservant, not as an apostle communicating the mind of God. For he emphasizes conduct, not doctrine. It may be questioned as to how all twelve tribes might be contacted for the distribution of this message (specially... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - James 1:1-27

INSTRUCTION CONCERNING TRIALS “Temptations,” in James 1:2 , is in the sense of trials (see Revised Version margin). Why should they be received with joy (James 1:3 )? In what spiritual condition will such a reception and use of trial result (James 1:4 )? What will effectually aid in that direction (James 1:5 ; James 1:8 )? Along what lines of trial were they being exercised (James 1:9 ; James 1:11 )? Notice that the poor man is to find comfort in his truly high estate in Christ, while the... read more