(Play hymn). 1986. μα τοῦ κάλλους ἐκ χειρὸς κυρίοÏ, Blessed is the man that endureth temptation, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers. (d) The heathen worshippers were in the habit of wearing crowns when they approached the temples of their gods. Life (2222) (zoe) in Scripture is used (1) to refer to physical life (Ro 8:38-note, 1Co 3:22, Php 1:20-note, James 4:14, etc) but more often to (2) to supernatural life in contrast to a life subject to eternal death (Jn 3:36, see all 43 uses of "eternal life" below). God tests man’s faith to learn whether it is genuine and true. (1) A Greeting from James. The blessedness of endurance (v 12a) Afflictions cannot make us miserable, if it be not our own fault. He begins with bidding them to “count it all joy when they fall into divers temptations.” Towards the close of his epistle he declares this to be at least the persuasion of his own mind; “Behold, we count them happy that endure.” But in the text he does not hesitate to affirm it as an unquestionable truth, that such persons are truly blessed (James 1 - Charles Simeon's Horae Homileticae - Commentaries). Although some commentators think this verse is a solitary disconnected statement by James others such as Hiebert feel that…, This verse crowns the whole discussion with the promise of reward in the future life. How much more should we as believers "run with endurance the race that is set before" (see note Hebrews 12:1) us, knowing that the Olympic athletes, do it to receive a perishable wreath (stephanos) but we an imperishable." James sets before us the grand reward that awaits those who persevere, loving God. 3. Trials and wisdom. James 1:12. by Grant Richison | Jul 19, 2000 | James | 5 comments. Some Christians have a difficulty with rewards, objecting that our obedience to Christ should be pure and disinterested, unmotivated by any such crass consideration as future reward. Crowns are placed on sacrifices and altars, and are even offered in sacrifice. I am afraid that all the grace that I have got out of my comfortable and easy times and happy hours might almost lie on a penny. On the New Year feast at Rome houses are adorned with crowns or wreaths. O Lord, You've kept from me; The Crown of Life in James 1:12. And so we see another one of the words (like doulos, charis, etc) that the Bible elevated in status and meaning, as described below in a compilation from many different resources. Faith was made perfect by his works. Your silver has become dross (Hebrew = siyg = literally that which is turned away or skimmed off in the refining process, the waste or impurity, the refuse after smelting precious metal and figuratively that which is base or worthless), Your drink diluted with water. James 1:1-12 The question we are tackling this morning is asked perhaps more than any other question about God. Reprinted by permission. It has been said of him: "He lost himself in visions of work to be done, that always remained to be done.”, Coleridge had every poetic gift but one—the gift of sustained and concentrated effort. In addition since they are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, they are fully satisfied no matter what their circumstances. 1:45; 6:20, 21, 22; 7:23; 10:23; 11:27, 28; 12:37, 38, 43; 14:14, 15; 23:29; Jn. All rights reserved). Or as another has said Christians are a lot like tea bags. Makarios is a state of existence in relationship to God in which a person is “blessed” from God’s perspective even when he or she doesn’t feel happy or isn’t presently experiencing good fortune. This distinction is brought out in chapter 1 of James. In cultic acts priests wear various forms of crowns. James says that if the Christian meets the testings of life in the steadfast constancy which Christ can give, life becomes infinitely more splendid than ever it was before. De Haan The answer is decisively yes! The repetition of small efforts will effect more than the occasional use of great talents. God promises a reward to fill the believer with a sure, steadfast hope. Victor), C H Spurgeon in his sermon notes (James 1:12 The Tried Man the Blessed Man) has this to say about blessed…. knowing that the outcome will be good. St. James, who wrote to “his Jewish brethren who were scattered abroad” through the violence of persecution, frequently repeats this consolatory idea. Where there is no love for God, death reigns…, The promised reward cannot be earned. (c) The crown of laurel leaves was the victor's crown in the games, the prize which the athlete coveted above all (compare 2 Timothy 4:8). To review note that James 1:1-12 expounds four truths which should encourage us when we experience trials -- God uses trials to produce staying power in those who endure. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete" (James 1:3, 4). Trials and testings happen in our life to produce real Christian joy, Trials and testing happen in our life to produce in you an enduring faith, Trials and testings happen in our life to mature us as a Christian, Trials and testings happen in our life to drive us to prayer, Trials and testings happen to bring equality among the brethren, Trials and testings happen to bring us reward in heaven. To be sure there is an element of this blessing which is experienced in this present life (cp 1Ti 4:8-note) but the "bulk" of the blessing looks toward our future life with Christ. James is teaching that faith, if it is not accompanied by good works, is not going to save anyone. In the NT, zoe focuses on the theological meaning rather than on the biological. Perseverance must complete its working; Giving birth to sin, and sin to death. II. (James 1:2-3). When the test is over, then comes the hallmark of divine approval, “the crown of life.” As if the Lord said, “Let him live; he has been weighed in the balances, and he is not found wanting.” Life is the reward: not mere being—but holy, happy, true existence—the realization of the divine purpose concerning us.       A. Clearly James’s overall purpose in this verse is to encourage believers to endure trials faithfully so that we might receive the reward that God has promised. Patience is enduring faith, faith with staying power. It is rather the work of God the Holy Spirit in a believer's life. And their earthly course is run;            b. Blessedness of fearlessness as to result of further trial. 7:40; 1Ti 1:11; 6:15; Titus 2:13; Jas. — John Spencer, Barclay adds that stephanos had the following associations in the ancient world…. He wrote to encourage them to live asChristians should, i… to appear, have the appearance, (trans.) It describes a state of being marked by fullness from God. Friedrich Hauck says that the Greek word Makarios, "refers overwhelmingly to the distinctive religious joy which accrues to man form his share in the salvation of the kingdom of God. (Amplified Bible - Lockman). September 13, 2009. (Ibid). Several graces and duties are recommended; and those who endure their trials and afflictions as the apostle here directs are pronounced blessed and are assured of a glorious reward (v. 2-12). Do not let yourself yield to deception; 8:15; Job 19:9; 31:36; Ps. Coleridge is the supreme tragedy of undiscipline. Hupomeno has the following meanings depending on the context - (1) Stay behind, to tarry behind (beyond an expected time), to remain (as in Acts 17:14, Luke 2:43). How crowned if never in the wars? Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 23 Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him, and make Our abode with him.            b. 20,21. When the Japanese invaded in 1940 she led 100 children on an epic journey that caught the imagination of Hollywood (Ed: Watch the movie about her life - The Inn of the Sixth Happiness or DVD). Samuel Johnson - Great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance. The Christian is called to place greater value on the goal of becoming mature and complete in Christ. Vincent adds that in regard to the meaning of peirasmos it, "is a mistake to define this word as only solicitation to evil. Finally, the Greeks used makarios to refer to the socioeconomic elite, the wealthy, the idea being (completely false I might add) that their riches and power put them above the normal cares and problems and worries of the lower socioeconomic strata, who constantly struggled to make it in life. The payoff for being a faithful clutch player is found in James 1:12: "Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him." The IVP New Testament commentary Series. Heavenly peace, divinest comfort, Jn 21:15 So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love (agapao) Me more than these?" The ceremony ends in their homes, which also bear wreaths.       B. And the present tense signifies that his reader's (verb is plural) have a continuing love for God. When we are hurting during a trial, we need to put our focus on the right place.       C.      The obedience to the Word (James 1:22–27) —Crosby Talk about persevering! 6. (MacArthur, J: Matthew 1-7 Chicago: Moody Press). Choose Book of Bible to StudyGenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SolomonIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Search Wikipedia using spiritual discretion, Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament, Wuest, K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Eerdmans, James 1 - Charles Simeon's Horae Homileticae - Commentaries, MacArthur, J: Matthew 1-7 Chicago: Moody Press, Wiersbe, W: Bible Exposition Commentary. The most precious products of experience are got in the fire of trial. Downers Grove, Ill. USA: InterVarsity Press ). It’s not the testing of our strength but the trying of our faith in Almighty God that develops our endurance. God’s the source of every perfect gift. (NLT - Tyndale House), Phillips: The man who patiently endures the temptations and trials that come to him is the truly happy man. He said, "The testing of your faith produces patience. Wholly? The Theme: The Testings of Personal Faith, The trials of the believer (James 1:2–12) Then that love will be tried, but many waters will not quench it, neither will the floods drown it. Don't hypocritically say "I love God" on Sunday in worship service and then spend the next 6 days doing your will on earth instead of His. The instructions of parents can bring a crown of grace to those who listen to them (Proverbs 1:9); Wisdom provides a man with a crown of glory (Proverbs 4:9); in a time of disaster and dishonor it can be said, "The crown has fallen from our head" (Lamentations 5:16). But the contemplation of heaven’s rewards is found throughout the NT as a spur to our faithfulness in difficult circumstances here on earth. That happiness is a divine pronouncement, the assured benefit of those who meet the conditions God requires. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. (7) Triumphalis, which was of laurel, given to the chief general or consul who, after some signal victory, came home triumphing. Thus we have depictions of brides with crowns, and the guests at the wedding feast also wear crowns. Similarly, God tests the faith of man as, for example, in the case of Job. Greek used makarios to refer to their gods and thus "the blessed ones" were the gods. HE WILL RECEIVE THE CROWN OF LIFE WHICH THE LORD HAS PROMISED TO THOSE WHO LOVE HIM: lempsetai (3SFMI) ton stephanon tes zoes, on epeggeilato (3SAMI) tois agaposin (PAPMPD) auton: Will receive (2983) (lambano) means to take hold of, to grasp, to seize. The reason for the attitude (James 1:10a) In the midst of the suffering we are able to see little or no point to it all. No eye can see this till he has been anointed with heavenly eye salve. But his emphasis on consistently speaking blessings rather than mixing blessings and cursings grows naturally out of his concern about works. There is no "gamble" involved in this promise. The Spartans put on crowns before doing battle, perhaps in connection with sacrifice and as a sign of protection. All rights reserved, Barclay's comments on 2Timothy 2:15 from The Daily Study Bible, Brown, Colin, Editor. Images are crowned when dedicated to cultic use and on the feasts of the gods. Blessed (3107)(makarios) is derived from a root makar, (others say from "mak" which means large or lengthy) which means to be happy, but not in the usual sense of happiness based on positive circumstances. 1:9; 4:9; 12:4; 14:24; 16:31; 17:6; Cant. The repudiation of a divine source (James 1:13) William Barclay comments (see more by Barclay with some repetition under Stephanos below)…. Processions and Feasts. These, with many others, as imperial, regal, and princely crowns (rather garlands or coronets than crowns), are not to be compared to the crown of glory which God hath prepared for those that love him. A large number of the Christians had left *Jerusalem and had goneto live in other countries. The reason stated (James 1:20) This quality of love is not an emotion but is an action initiated by a volitional choice. They were men of honour who put only genuine full weighted money into circulation.          3. James 1:12. The weaknesses of his character are eradicated; and he emerges strong and pure." In 1807 Wilberforce brought about the banning of the slave trade in England but it was not until 1833 was slavery as an institution abolished, this news reaching Wilberforce even as he lay on his deathbed. Such a one has a blessedness, greater infinitely than any earthly happiness, already in possession, and the promise of a future beyond all comparison. Some say "Let go and let God" but that absolves the believer of personal responsibility. 9:25; Phil. 1986, Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery, Stulac, G. M. James. The final clause affirms that the measurement of silver was according to the standards used by the merchants of the time);" in Zech 11:13 , in regard to the 30 pieces of silver, "Cast them into a furnace and I will see if it is good (approved) metal. Victor, New Testament Words in Today's Language. The only Christians who don’t face trial, even great trials, are those who suddenly die young. perseverance > crown of life Held in honor of the gods, sporting festivals culminate when the victors, who struggle hard to win, are crowned with wreaths of laurel, olive, or ivy. God is not interested in seeing the believer falter and fail; he wants him to endure, overcome, and triumph. Never did so great a mind produce so little. 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, [] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Truly? It is the word used for a stone which is fit to be fitted into its place in a building. Commentary on James 3:1-12. The former means (intrans.) Don't misunderstand. Life for him is like being for ever at a feast. 1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:. Every trial becomes a test of faith designed to strengthen the believer's faith, but if the believer fails the test by wrongly responding, then that test becomes a temptation or a solicitation to evil. James 1:12. 16 He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love (agapao) Me?" Paul often used athletic illustrations in his letters, and James does so here. He who, being tested, is supported in the ordeal, and comes out of the trial approved, is the blessed man. He who throughout life faithfully serves Christ and his fellow-men will receive his crown. The Letter of James. His own hand shall give it. An obedience that is motivated by a personal desire to win a reward is the very antithesis of Christian spirituality. When it’s done, you’ll be complete and perfect, Those who have endured trial inherit the peculiar blessedness—. Downers Grove, Ill. USA: InterVarsity Press, Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Not only when we pass the threshold of death, but on this side, our Lord is judging our character and adjudicating our reward. Although some theologians argue against this truth, the Biblical truth is that perseverance is one of the signs of genuine faith. How is this possible? It is used of the absolute fulness of life, both essential and ethical, which belongs to God. With such applications, the Christian life is taken out of the realm of sentimentality and placed in the realm of significant moral choice. The Spirit produces His joy in you - see notes Galatians 5:22), my brethren, when (implies temptations are to be expected) you encounter (fall into the midst of so as to be totally surrounded by) various (poikilos - all "shapes and sizes" of) trials (peirasmos), knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. If you’re struggling with perseverance in trials, examine the quality of your love for Christ. started (Jas 1:2) and ended with joy. James deals with temptation in James 1:12-19. At the end of the day, if the Christian is loyal, he will have the joy of sitting as a guest at the banquet of God. Douglas J. Moo, in his commentary on James, writes about the background of the epistle: “The epistle of James has had a controversial history.Along with 1 and 2 Peter, 1, 2 and 3 John, and Jude, it belongs to that category of New Testament epistles called ‘general’ or ‘catholic’ (in the sense of ‘universal’) (See catholic epistles). Victor. The starch in a saint's spine is shown by Scripture to be nothing less than the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. It is used with a material subject, as when, for example, fear or terror seizes men. Commentary on James 1:12-18 (Read James 1:12-18) It is not every man who suffers, that is blessed; but he who with patience and constancy goes through all difficulties in the way of duty. (James 1:13), Who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God -Luke 14:15; Re 19:9. It means trial of any kind, without reference to its moral quality.". After the test comes approval. Why? The Author of the believer’s regeneration (James 1:18), Faith tested by its response to the Word of God (James 1:19–27) If we love God with our lips, we should demonstrate it with our life. But the books were never composed outside Coleridge's mind, because he would not face the discipline of sitting down to write them out. (Barclay's comments on 2Timothy 2:15 from The Daily Study Bible) Barclay adds that "To the man who meets trials in the right way there is joy here and hereafter.          1. But he must endure it, and neither rebel against God, nor turn aside from his integrity. To that however are we led by the voice of revelation, which teaches us to look with confidence to a future state, wherein all that we endure for God, and in meek submission to his will, shall be compensated with a weight of glory, proportioned to the trials we have here sustained for his sake, and the spiritual improvement which we have derived from them. He has a victory which others cannot win, for he meets life and all its demands in the conquering power of the presence of Jesus Christ. It is God's gracious reward to those who have been rendered fit for that life by their approved character. The article with "life" (tes zoes) points to that eternal life in all its fullness awaiting the attested believer.          2. Eerdmans). The Dionysus cult uses ivy, oak, and acanthus, Neptune and Pan wear wreaths of fig leaves, and Zeus of laurel. 5. Reprinted by permission. 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