William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - James 1:12
1:12 Happy is the man who meets trial with steadfast constancy because, when he has shown himself of sterling worth, he will receive the crown of life which he has promised to those who love him. To the man who meets trials in the right way there is joy here and hereafter. (i) In this life he becomes a man of sterling worth. He is dokimos ( Greek #1384 ); he is like metal which is cleansed of all alloy. The weaknesses of his character are eradicated; and he emerges strong and pure. ... read more
William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - James 1:9-11
1:9-11 Let the lowly brother be proud of his exaltation; and let the rich brother be proud of his humiliation; for he will pass away like a flower of the field. The sun rises with the scorching wind and withers the grass, and the flower wilts, and the beauty of its form is destroyed. So the rich will wither away in all his ways. As James saw it, Christianity brings to every man what he needs. As Mayor put it "As the despised poor learns self-respect, so the proud rich learns... read more