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1From James, a slave of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes dispersed abroad. Greetings![#tn Grk “James.” The word “From” is not in the Greek text, but has been supplied to indicate the sender of the letter.; #tn Traditionally, “servant” or “bondservant.” Though δοῦλος (doulos) is normally translated “servant,” the word does not bear the connotation of a free individual serving another. BDAG notes that “‘servant’ for ‘slave’ is largely confined to Biblical transl. and early American times…in normal usage at the present time the two words are carefully distinguished” (BDAG 260 s.v.). The most accurate translation is “bondservant” (sometimes found in the ASV for δοῦλος), in that it often indicates one who sells himself into slavery to another. But as this is archaic, few today understand its force.sn Undoubtedly the background for the concept of being the Lord’s slave or servant is to be found in the Old Testament scriptures. For a Jew this concept did not connote drudgery, but honor and privilege. It was used of national Israel at times (Isa 43:10), but was especially associated with famous OT personalities, including such great men as Moses (Josh 14:7), David (Ps 89:3; cf. 2 Sam 7:5, 8) and Elijah (2 Kgs 10:10); all these men were “servants (or slaves) of the Lord.”; #tn Grk “to the twelve tribes in the Diaspora.” The Greek term διασπορά (diaspora, “dispersion”) refers to Jews not living in Palestine but “dispersed” or scattered among the Gentiles.]
2My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials,[#tn Grk “brothers,” but the Greek word may be used for “brothers and sisters” or “fellow Christians” as here (cf. BDAG 18 s.v. ἀδελφός 1, where considerable nonbiblical evidence for the plural ἀδελφοί [adelfoi] meaning “brothers and sisters” is cited). Where the plural term is used in direct address, as here, “brothers and sisters” is used; where the term is singular and not direct address (as in v. 9), “believer” is preferred.; #tn Grk “all joy,” “full joy,” or “greatest joy.”]
3because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
4And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything.
5But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him.
6But he must ask in faith without doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed around by the wind.
7For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord,
8since he is a double-minded individual, unstable in all his ways.[#tn Grk “a man of two minds,” continuing the description of the person in v. 7, giving the reason that he cannot expect to receive anything. The word for “man” or “individual” is ἀνήρ (anhr), which often means “male” or “man (as opposed to woman).” But it sometimes is used generically to mean “anyone,” “a person,” as here (cf. BDAG 79 s.v. 2).sn A double-minded man is one whose devotion to God is less than total. His attention is divided between God and other things, and as a consequence he is unstable and therefore unable to receive from God.]
9Now the believer of humble means should take pride in his high position.[#tn Grk “brother.” Here the term “brother” means “fellow believer” or “fellow Christian” (cf. TEV, NLT “Christians”; CEV “God’s people”). The term broadly connotes familial relationships within the family of God (cf. BDAG 18 s.v. ἀδελφός 2.a).; #tn Grk “the lowly brother,” but “lowly/humble” is clarified in context by the contrast with “wealthy” in v. 10.; #tn Grk “let him boast.”; #tn Grk “his height,” “his exaltation.”]
10But the rich person’s pride should be in his humiliation, because he will pass away like a wildflower in the meadow.[#tn Grk “a flower of grass.”]
11For the sun rises with its heat and dries up the meadow; the petal of the flower falls off and its beauty is lost forever. So also the rich person in the midst of his pursuits will wither away.[#tn Or “perishes,” “is destroyed.”]
12Happy is the one who endures testing, because when he has proven to be genuine, he will receive the crown of life that God promised to those who love him.[#tn The word for “man” or “individual” here is ἀνήρ (anhr), which often means “male” or “man (as opposed to woman).” However, as BDAG 79 s.v. 2 says, here it is “equivalent to τὶς someone, a person.”; #tc Most mss ([C] P 0246 Ï) read ὁ κύριος (Jo kurio", “the Lord”) here, while others have ὁ θεός (Jo qeo", “God”; 4 33vid 323 945 1739 al). However, several important and early witnesses (Ì23 א A B Ψ 81 co) have no explicit subject. In light of the scribal tendency toward clarification, and the fact that both κύριος and θεός are well represented, there can be no doubt that the original text had no explicit subject. The referent (God) has been specified in the translation for clarity, not because of textual basis.]
13Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one.[#tn Or “God must not be tested by evil people.”]
14But each one is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires.
15Then when desire conceives, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is full grown, it gives birth to death.
16Do not be led astray, my dear brothers and sisters.[#tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:2.]
17All generous giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change.[#tn The first phrase refers to the action of giving and the second to what is given.; #tn Or “All generous giving and every perfect gift from above is coming down.”; #tn Grk “variation or shadow of turning” (referring to the motions of heavenly bodies causing variations of light and darkness).]
18By his sovereign plan he gave us birth through the message of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.[#tn Grk “Having willed, he gave us birth.”]
19Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters! Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger.[#tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:2.]
20For human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.[#tn The word translated “human” here is ἀνήρ (anhr), which often means “male” or “man (as opposed to woman).” But it sometimes is used generically to mean “anyone,” “a person” (cf. BDAG 79 s.v. 2), and in this context, contrasted with “God’s righteousness,” the point is “human” anger (not exclusively “male” anger).; #sn God’s righteousness could refer to (1) God’s righteous standard, (2) the righteousness God gives, (3) righteousness before God, or (4) God’s eschatological righteousness (see P. H. Davids, James [NIGTC], 93, for discussion).]
21So put away all filth and evil excess and humbly welcome the message implanted within you, which is able to save your souls.[#tn Or “with meekness.”]
22But be sure you live out the message and do not merely listen to it and so deceive yourselves.
23For if someone merely listens to the message and does not live it out, he is like someone who gazes at his own face in a mirror.[#tn The word for “man” or “individual” is ἀνήρ (anhr), which often means “male” or “man (as opposed to woman).” However, as BDAG 79 s.v. 2 says, here it is “equivalent to τὶς someone, a person.”; #tn Grk “the face of his beginning [or origin].”]
24For he gazes at himself and then goes out and immediately forgets what sort of person he was.[#tn Grk “and he has gone out and immediately has forgotten.”]
25But the one who peers into the perfect law of liberty and fixes his attention there, and does not become a forgetful listener but one who lives it out – he will be blessed in what he does.[#tn Grk “continues.”; #tn Grk “this one.”; #tn Grk “in his doing.”]
26If someone thinks he is religious yet does not bridle his tongue, and so deceives his heart, his religion is futile.
27Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their misfortune and to keep oneself unstained by the world.[#tn Or “in the sight of”; Grk “with.”; #tn Grk “the God and Father.”]