Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of James 1:3
Knowing [this,] that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
3. that the trying of your faith ] The word for “trying” implies at once a “test,” and a “discipline” leading to improvement. The same phrase meets us, in conjunction also with “divers temptations,” in 1Pe 1:7. Each was, perhaps, quoting what had become an axiom of the Church’s life.
worketh patience ] The Greek word always implies more than mere passive submission, the “ endurance unto the end” of Mat 10:22; Mat 24:13, the perseverance which does not falter under suffering.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience – Patience is one of the fruits of such a trial, and the grace of patience is worth the trial which it may cost to procure it. This is one of the passages which show that James was acquainted with the writings of Paul. See the Introduction, Section 5. The sentiment expressed here is found in Rom 5:3. See the notes at that verse. Paul has carried the sentiment out farther, and shows that tribulation produces other effects than patience. James only asks that patience may have its perfect work, supposing that every Christian grace is implied in this.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 3. The trying of your faith] Trials put religion, and all the graces of which it is composed to proof; the man that stands in such trials gives proof that his religion is sound, and the evidence afforded to his own mind induces him to take courage, bear patiently, and persevere.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Knowing this; considering.
That the trying of your faith; the reason why he called afflictions temptations, as well as why believers should count it all joy to fall into them, viz. because they are trials of their faith, and such trials as tend to approbation, as the word (different from that in the former verse) imports.
Of your faith; both of the truth of the grace itself, and of your constancy in the profession of it.
Worketh patience; not of itself, but as a means in the hand of God, made effectual to that end.
Objection. Rom 5:3, it is said, Tribulation worketh patience, and patience, experience, or trial; whereas here it is said, that trial works patience.
Answer. The words used here and Rom 5:3 are different; here it is , which signifies actively, the trying itself, and this works patience; there it is , which is taken passively, for the experiment following upon the trial; or, as we read it, the experience, viz. of our sincerity, as well as of Gods consolation, which may well be the effect of patience wrought by and under trials. And so both are true, that tribulation, as Paul speaks, and trial, as James, work patience; and patience, not a further trial, but rather discovery, or experiment, or approbation of what we are, which appears by nothing more than by patience under sufferings.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
3. the tryingthe testingor proving of your faith, namely, by “diverstemptations.” Compare Ro 5:3,tribulation worketh patience, and patience experience(in the original dokime, akin to dokimion, “trying,”here; there it is experience: here the “trying” ortesting, whence experience flows).
patienceThe originalimplies more; persevering endurance and continuance(compare Lu 8:15).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Knowing this,…. By experience; as everyone that is trained up in the school of affliction does: the apostle appeals to the saints, to whom he writes, for the truth of what he was about to say; and which he gives as a reason why they should rejoice in afflictions, because it is a known fact,
that the trying of your faith worketh patience: two things afflictions do when sanctified; one is, they try faith, the truth of it, and make it appear to be true, genuine, and precious, like gold tried in the fire; see 1Pe 1:6 and the other is, that they produce patience: saints being inured to afflictions, become by degrees more patient under them; whence it is good for a man to bear the yoke in his youth: this phrase may be understood, both of faith, which being tried by afflictions, produces patience; for where the one is in exercise, the other is also, and both are necessary under afflictive providences; and also of afflictions, which try faith, and being sanctified by the Spirit of God, work patience, which is a fruit of the Spirit; for otherwise the effect of them is impatience; and this agrees with the Apostle Paul in Ro 5:3.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Knowing (). Present active participle of (experimental knowledge, the only way of getting this view of “trials” as “all joy”).
The proof ( ). Now known (Deissmann, Bible Studies, pp. 259ff.) from the papyri examples of as an adjective in the same sense (good gold, standard gold) as proved or tested (Jas 1:12). The use of (neuter article with neuter single adjective) here and in 1Pe 1:7, clearly means “the genuine element in your faith,” not “crucible” nor “proving.” Your faith like gold stands the test of fire and is approved as standard. James here, as in verse Jas 1:6; Jas 2:1; Jas 5:15, regards faith () like Paul “as the very foundation of religion” (Mayor).
Worketh (). Present (durative) middle indicative of the compound verb with the perfective sense of as in Php 2:12, which see.
Patience (). Old and common word for remaining under (), “staying power” (Ropes), as in Col 1:11.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Trying [] . Rev., proof; but the American Revisers insist on proving, and rightly. See on 1Pe 1:7.
Worketh [] . The compound verb with kata, down through, indicates accomplishment. The proving will work successfully and thoroughly. This harmonizes with a perfect work, ver. 4.
Patience [] . See on 2Pe 1:6, and Jas 5:7.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
Experimentally recognize that the proof or good standard of your faith is patience – accomplished or achieved – a frame of mind that endures in perseverance, (Col 1:11; Rom 5:3).
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
3 Knowing this, that the trying. We now see why he called adversities trials or temptations, even because they serve to try our faith. And there is here a reason given to confirm the last sentence. For it might, on the other hand, be objected, “How comes it, that we judge that sweet which to the sense is bitter?” He then shews by the effect that we ought to rejoice in afflictions, because they produce fruit that ought to be highly valued, even patience. If God then provides for our salvation, he affords us an occasion of rejoicing. Peter uses a similar argument at the beginning of his first Epistle, “That the trial of your faith, more precious than gold, may be,” etc. [1Pe 1:7.] We certainly dread diseases, and want, and exile, and prison, and reproach, and death, because we regard them as evils; but when we understand that they are turned through God’s kindness unto helps and aids to our salvation, it is ingratitude to murmur, and not willingly to submit to be thus paternally dealt with.
Paul says, in Rom 5:3, that we are to glory in tribulations; and James says here, that we are to rejoice. “We glory,” says Paul, “in tribulations, knowing that tribulation worketh patience.” What immediately follows seems contrary to the words of James; for he mentions probation in the third place, as the effect of patience, which is here put first as though it were the cause. But the solution is obvious; the word there has an active, but here a passive meaning. Probation or trial is said by James to produce patience; for were not God to try us, but leave us free from trouble, there would be no patience, which is no other thing than fortitude of mind in bearing evils. But Paul means, that while by enduring we conquer evils, we experience how much God’s help avails in necessities; for then the truth of God is as it were in reality manifested to us. Hence it comes that we dare to entertain more hope as to futurity; for the truth of God, known by experience, is more fully believed by us. Hence Paul teaches that by such a probation, that is, by such an experience of divine grace, hope is produced, not that hope then only begins, but that it increases and is confirmed. But both mean, that tribulation is the means by which patience is produced.
Moreover, the minds of men are not so formed by nature, that affliction of itself produces patience in them. But Paul and Peter regard not so much the nature of men as the providence of God through which it comes, that the faithful learn patience from troubles; for the ungodly are thereby more and more provoked to madness, as the example of Pharaoh proves. (99)
(99) The word used by James is δοχίμιον, trial, the act of testing, and by Paul δοχιμὴ, the result of testing, experience. James speaks of probation, and Paul of the experience gained thereby.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(3) Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.And this verse confirms our view of the preceding one; the habit of patience is to be the blessed result of all the weary effort under Gods probation. James the Wise had learned it long and painfully, and he returns to his exhortation of it again, especially in Jas. 5:7-11 (which see).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
3. Trying The putting to, or undergoing, the test.
Worketh The calling our spiritual and moral power into successful action increases the power, just as the muscle is hardened by exercise. Hence the perfectness of our Christian life is much the result of time, trial, and experience.
Patience Firmness against trial. The resisting the temptation and conquering the tempter begets hardihood and solidity. “The proof of the soldier is hard work, and not indulgence; the test of gold and silver is fire.”
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘Knowing that the proving of your faith works patient endurance,’
For this ‘testing’ will prove the genuineness of their faith and confidence in Christ and make it strong and sure, and once they are confident that they can truly trust Christ in all circumstances, it will result in continuing patient endurance in the face of all that the future will hold. We learn to trust Him as we go along, and the more we trust Him the more He is able to ‘try’ us so that we may grow more and more. The child who is protected from all that life deals out will never grow into an adult.
‘Knowing.’ That is ‘coming to the knowledge of’ the fact that once their faith is ‘proved’ they will find rest and be able to continue on in further patient endurance (compare Hebrews 3-4).
‘Proving (dokimion).’ Only found here in the New Testament and in 1Pe 1:7. The idea is of something tested in the fire and coming out refined.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Jam 1:3. The trying of your faith worketh patience Produceth patience. Heylin. The word signifies proof or evidence, in most other authors: but still, as it denotes a proof given by trial, the meaning will be, “That proof or evidence which you give, (by undergoing trials or afflictions,) of your sincere adherence to the Christian faith, worketh patience.”
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Jas 1:3 . ] whilst ye may know (“in the consciousness,” de Wette). The participle, when closely connected with the imperative, participates in its meaning; see author on 2Ti 2:23 ; comp. 1Co 15:58 ; Col 3:24 ; Col 4:1 ; Heb 10:34 , and other passages. It is neither simply the imperative: Luther, “and know ye,” nor simply a confirmation, so that it may be rendered by (Pott).
( ). (only here and in 1Pe 1:7 ) = , is properly the means of proving: quo quid exploratur (Pott); quo rei, quae sub examen vocatur, manifestatur sinceritas eaque probatur omne id intrinseca virtute possidere, quod extrinsecus specie ac nomine prae se fert (Heisen): thus = ; so in Dionysius Halicarnassus, rhetor. 11: ; yet generally to the idea of proving is attached that of purification and verification. Theile = probamentum; thus Herodian, ii. 10, 12: ; and the LXX. Pro 27:21 : ; comp. Pro 17:3 ; Psa 12:7 ; Sir 2:5 . Many expositors, as Semler, Pott, Hottinger, Schneckenburger, Theile, Bouman, adhere to the import of means , whether of proof or of purification and verification, [37] whilst they understand thereby the above-mentioned . In this case stands for (Pott); but the necessity of supplying is decisive against this interpretation; besides, in 1Pe 1:7 cannot have that meaning. In that passage is = the verification effected by proof; see author in loco: and thus it is probable that this import is also here to be retained (Oecumenius = , , ); then is = in Rom 10:4 . The distinction, that in that passage is designated as the effect , but in this as the cause of , is not against this view, for, as Tirinus well says: duae res saepe sibi invicem sunt causa. [38] Most expositors, both ancient and modern, however, explain here by exploratio, probatio, proof in an active sense; thus Didymus, Bede, Calvin, Laurentius, Beza, Piscator, Paraeus, Serarius, Paes, Hornejus, Baumgarten, de Wette, Kern, Wiesinger, Lange, etc. Then is valid what Bede says in reference to Rom 5:4 : Verborum differentia non sensuum in his sermonibus esse probatur Apostolorum, since there , here proof by , is named as the cause of . Though there is nothing against this idea, this explanation is wanting in linguistic accuracy. [39] The meaning is, in essentials, the same, whether we read or not; for the of Christians consists in nothing else than that of their faith, by which they are Christians.
is here not used objectively = id cui fides habetur, ipsa Jesu Christi doctrina (Pott), but subjectively, assured confidence in the gospel, whose contents are Jesus Christ, as the necessary foundation of Christian conduct.
] is distinguished from in that it expresses the actual accomplishment (Meyer on Rom 1:27 ).
is faithful endurance ( ) under ( ) the temptations ( ). Baumgarten: “enduring constancy;” Theile: “stedfastness,” perseverantia, quod majus est quam patientia. [40] The importance of for Christians is evident from Mat 10:22 ; Mat 24:13 ; comp. also Jas 5:7 ff. On the connection of with , see Cremer under the words and .
[37] Theile: Calamitates, quae natura sua virtutis , eam sub examen discrimenque vocant, accedente demum hominis strenua opera ejusdem virtutis fiunt eam purgantes, firmantes, commonstrantes.
[38] Wiesinger incorrectly maintains: “It is an erroneous idea that verification ( ) produces ” (so also Rauch in his Review ); for the Christian always obtains more , in which only he can reach the goal of perfection, not because he is tried, but because he stands the test and is thus verified.
[39] Cremer (see ) is hardly right when he maintained that “the means of proof are not only, e.g. , the touchstone itself, but also the trace of the metal left thereon, therefore (Jas 1:3 ) is the result of the contact of with ;” for we are to consider the not as a touchstone , but as a test by fire. However, Cremer explained the whole idea correctly by “ the verification of faith. ” His remark on is to be noted: that in it we are not to distinguish between the active and passive signification; that it has rather a reflex sense, either the having proved true or the proving true.
[40] Cicero, de inv. ii. 54: Patientia est honestatis aut utilitatis causa rerum arduarum ac difficilium voluntaria ac diuturna perpessio; perseverentia est in ratione bene considerata stabilis et perpetua permansio. Schneckenburger strikingly observes: Si submissionem ( ) urgeas, patientiam ac tolerantiam malorum, sin , constantiam et firmitatem, perseverantiam ac calamitatum ferendarum fortitudinem ab illecebris desciscendi inconcussam hoc vocabulo habebis expressam.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
3 Knowing this , that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
Ver. 3. The trial of your faith ] Yea, such a well knit patience, as maketh a man suffer after he hath suffered, as David did from Shimei, but first from Absalom. Tile stones till baked are not useful; but well burnt and hardened they withstand all storms and ill-weather. See my Love Tokens, p. 170.
Knowing this ] And therefore rejoicing, if not in the sense, yet in the use of your afflictions. See Trapp on “ Heb 12:10 “ See Trapp on “ Heb 12:11 “
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
3 .] Ground of this joy : knowing (as you do) that the proof of your faith ( , or , Plato, Tim. p. 65 C. Pott explains it, “quo quid exploratur;” Heisen, “quo rei, qu sub examen vocatur, manifestatur sinceritas, eaque probatur omne id intrinseca virtute possidere, quod extrinsecus specie et nomine pr se fert.” So in Dion. Hal. Rhetor. ii., : so, but joining with the idea of a test that of amelioration and perfecting also, Herodian ii. 10. 12, . The word must be taken here as abstract, ‘the proving ,’ not as concrete, ‘the medium of proof ,’ viz. the temptations. See further on 1Pe 1:7 ) worketh (reff.) endurance ( , “perseverantia, quod magis est quam patientia,” Theile. But does not St. Paul, Rom 5:3-4 , state precisely the converse, viz. that , ? Doubtless: but it is really the same that is said: there = here. As De Wette observes, the thought is not carried to its end as in Rom., but the Apostle breaks away at to exhort respecting it):
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Jas 1:3 . : “recognising”; this seems to be the force of the word in Hellenistic Greek (see Lightfoot, Ep. to the Galatians , p. 171); if so, it comes very appositely after . : according to instances of the use of the word given by Deissmann ( Neue Bibelstudien , pp. 187 ff.) it means “pure” or “genuine”; it is the neuter of the adjective used as a substantive, followed by a genitive; the phrase would thus mean: “That which is genuine in your faith worketh ”; this meaning of makes 1Pe 1:7 clearer and more significant; cf. Pro 27:21 (Sept.); Sir 2:1 ff. On see Jas 1:6 . : emphatic form of , “accomplishes”. : the word here means “the frame of mind which endures,” as distinct from the act of enduring which is the meaning of the word in 2Co 1:6 ; 2Co 6:4 . Philo calls the queen of virtues (see Mayor, in loc .), it is one which has probably been nowhere more fully exemplified than in the history of the Jewish race.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
Knowing. App-132.
trying = testing. Gr dokimion. Only here and 1Pe 1:7.
faith. App-150. Read, “your tested faith”.
patience. Compare Rom 5:3.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
3.] Ground of this joy: knowing (as you do) that the proof of your faith (, or , Plato, Tim. p. 65 C. Pott explains it, quo quid exploratur; Heisen, quo rei, qu sub examen vocatur, manifestatur sinceritas, eaque probatur omne id intrinseca virtute possidere, quod extrinsecus specie et nomine pr se fert. So in Dion. Hal. Rhetor. ii., : so, but joining with the idea of a test that of amelioration and perfecting also, Herodian ii. 10. 12, . The word must be taken here as abstract, the proving, not as concrete, the medium of proof, viz. the temptations. See further on 1Pe 1:7) worketh (reff.) endurance (, perseverantia, quod magis est quam patientia, Theile. But does not St. Paul, Rom 5:3-4, state precisely the converse, viz. that , ? Doubtless: but it is really the same that is said: there = here. As De Wette observes, the thought is not carried to its end as in Rom., but the Apostle breaks away at to exhort respecting it):
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Jam 1:3. ) your proving, or trial. So , the trial of your faith, 1Pe 1:7; Pro 27:21 (Septuagint), , , The fining-pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; and so a man has his character tested by the mouth of those who praise him. Herodian, (adde ) , , The test of (Christian) soldiers is not luxury, but toil. Zosimus, , Affording proofs of good-will. The meaning of the word is therefore trial patiently undergone. Were I not withheld by the parallelism in Peter,[3] I should more readily embrace in James the reading , of your faith, supported as it is by so many witnesses.[4] As it is, trial, spoken of in general terms, embraces the trial of faith, love, and hope. And though there is no special mention of faith in this verse, yet James, as well as other apostles, esteems faith as all in all. See Jam 1:6; Jam 5:15. And the trial of faith, in particular, is firmly established, on the authority of Peter.- , worketh patience) The same expression is used, Rom 5:3, with the addition, , and patience (worketh) experience. See below, Jam 1:12.-, patience) See Jam 1:12, and the note on Luk 8:15. So Psa 62:6 (Septuagint), , for my patient expectation is from Him.
[3] From whom it may have been interpolated here.-E.
[4] And indeed Beng. preferred this fuller reading afterwards in the margin of the Ed. 2; and it is expressly given in the Germ. Vers.-E. B.
B and later Syr. support the omission of ; and so Tisch. But AC Vulg. support the words; and so Lachm. and Rec. Text.-E.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
that: Rom 5:3, Rom 5:4, Rom 8:28, 2Co 4:17
patience: Rom 2:7, Rom 8:25, Rom 15:4, Col 1:11, 2Th 1:4, 2Th 3:5, Heb 10:36, Heb 12:1, 2Pe 1:6
Reciprocal: Deu 8:2 – prove thee Luk 21:19 – General Rom 12:12 – patient 1Th 1:3 – and patience 1Pe 1:7 – the trial 1Pe 4:13 – rejoice 2Pe 1:20 – Knowing Rev 2:3 – hast patience
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jas 1:3. Patience means endurance and if the disciples remain true to Christ amidst the trials, it will demonstrate the genuineness of their faith.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Jas 1:3. Knowing thisbeing well assured of the fact, the reason or ground of the joy.
that the trying. These temptations are regarded as the tests or proofs of faith, and in this consists their value. By them faith is being tested as gold in the furnace, and is thus recognised and purified.
of your faith: of your firm confidence and trust in the Gospel. Faith here is not used objectively for the doctrines of Christianity; but subjectively for our personal persuasion of the truth of the Gospel.
worketh, produceth, patience. By patience here is not meant so much freedom from murmuring and repining, as endurancestedfastness or perseverance in the faith of the Gospel under these temptations. The Jewish Christians by their trials were tempted to apostatize from Christianity. A period of trial is a period of testing; the true metal is purified, not consumed. Those who are true believers stand the trial; the trying of their faith produceth endurance. Those who are not true believers fall away; in time of temptation, says our Lord, they fall away (Luk 8:13). With respect to joy in temptation, because it produceth patience, compare the language of St. Paul: We glory in tribulation, knowing that tribulation worketh patience (endurance), and patience experience (approval), (Rom 5:3-4).
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
3, 4… Let patience have its perfect work, in order that you may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing. O, how grandly the apostles preached on Christian perfection! How contrastively with the feeble, cautious and cowardly pulpit utterances of the present day! Good Lord, help us all to emulate the clear, bold simplicity of apostolic speech! Perfect, in this verse, is teleioi, finished, brought to an end, complete. It is the strongest adjective in the Greek language, descriptive of a work actually and absolutely finished. Now what is this finished work? It is certainly the very work Jesus came to do. He came to destroy the works of the devil (1Jn 3:8). You all know sin is the work of the devil, and his only work. Hence Jesus came to destroy sin in your heart and mine. When sin is utterly exterminated in your heart, then, and not till then, are you what the Holy Ghost calls a perfect Christian. You may be as ignorant as a Hottentot, or as wise as Solomon. Intellectual culture and theological learning have nothing in the world to do with your Christian character. If Jesus has completed His work in your heart you are free from sin, and a perfect Christian, and ready for heaven. This is the only standard of salvation found in the New Testament. Entire, is holokleeroi, a compound word, from holos, the whole, and kleeros, part, hence it means entire, i.e., complete in every part. What are the parts? Divine love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness. goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, i.e., practical holiness (Gal 5:22). These graces imparted to the human spirit by the Holy Spirit constitute the beautiful constellation of Christian character. The second work of grace, i.e., entire sanctification, perfects all of these graces, by eliminating out of the heart all of their antagonisms: e.g., perfect love is nothing but love unantagonized by the malevolent affections, while perfect faith is not the greatest faith, but faith free from doubt. When you get under the cleansing blood pursuant to your humble, doubtless faith, the Holy Spirit eliminates the surviving depravity antagonizing each one of the spiritual graces. Lacking in nothing. Glory to God for an omnipotent Savior, who is more than a match for the devil, and abundantly competent to destroy all of His works, so there will be no deficiency in your character.
Fuente: William Godbey’s Commentary on the New Testament
Knowing [this], that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
James may have been acquainted with Paul’s teaching since this same concept is found in Rom 5:3, or maybe more plausible would be that it was a common theme of the Lord’s teaching. Paul mentions, “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;”
Knowing that this process worketh patience. Hum, now he is meddling, telling us that patience is the end result that is desired when we are tested – so who says we need patience?
Patience is that quality that allows you to be steadfast in your walk, it relates to continuing on no matter what is put in your way – doing what is your appointed task. In our case, as believers, it is to walk with God and not the Devil. It is to stand against the Devil in all that he throws our way. Ephesians is clear that we are to stand against him with the armor of God on our person to allow our standing before him.
Trials are a body builder for the believer; they strengthen us to withstand the Devil.
Trials are a trying of our faith, as well. As we walk with God by faith, the Devil tests our commitment, he tests our beliefs, and he tests our faith in what God has said to us in the Word. All this stretches our faith so that we might have patience in our stand against the enemy of God.
Fuente: Mr. D’s Notes on Selected New Testament Books by Stanley Derickson
1:3 {3} Knowing [this], that the {d} trying of your faith worketh patience.
(3) The second, because patience, a surpassing and most excellent virtue, is brought about in us by this means.
(d) That by this your faith is tried, that is, those various temptations.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
2. The end product of trials 1:3-4
Trials are the means God uses to make believers the kind of people that bring honor to His name, namely, mature Christians. "Testing" (Gr. dokimion) implies demonstrating the true quality of something when it undergoes a trial. The true nature of gold becomes evident when the refiner heats gold ore over a fire. Similarly the character of God within a Christian that is there because of the Holy Spirit’s presence becomes apparent through trials, if responded to properly.
These are trials of our "faith" in the sense that our trust in God and obedience to God are being stretched to the limit. Trials can result in endurance, steadfastness, and perseverance (rather than "patience" [AV]). The Greek word translated "endurance" (hypomonen) describes the quality that enables a person to stay on his or her feet when facing a storm. [Note: William Barclay, New Testament Words, pp. 144-45. Cf. Nigel Turner, Christian Words, pp. 318-19.] If we submit to them, they will eventually make us mature (fully developed, "perfect," cf. Mat 5:48; Mat 19:21) and complete (developed in every essential area of our lives). Consequently we should not try to escape from trials but submit to the maturing process with patient endurance and joy. We must learn patience or we will not learn much else.
God will bring every believer who endures trials, rather than running from them, to maturity as we persevere in them. James taught that in view of this fact we should rejoice in our trials rather than rebelling against them. They are God’s instruments for perfecting us.
"After over a quarter century of ministry, I am convinced that spiritual immaturity is the number one problem in our churches." [Note: Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Mature, p. 13.]
The concept of living by faith that James introduced here for the first time seems to be the theme that unites all the parts of this epistle. Another writer suggested a variation of this theme, namely, "tests of a living faith." [Note: D. Edmond Hiebert, "The Unifying Theme of the Epistle of James," Bibliotheca Sacra 135:529 (July-September 1978):224. See also the subtitle of the 1979 edition of his commentary on James.] The Christian who not only experienced justification by faith in the past but is presently living by faith (trusting in God and obeying Him) has what James calls a living faith. This use of live faith is very important to remember when we come to James’ discussion of faith and works in Jas 2:14-26.
"The root difficulty of the readers lies in a distorted conception of the nature of salvation by faith and its relation to daily life as the proving ground for the development of Christian character." [Note: Idem, James, p. 37.]