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Selected Verse: James 1:2 - King James

Verse	Translation	Text
Jas 1:2	King James	My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
My brethren--a phrase often found in James, marking community of nation and of faith. all joy--cause for the highest joy [GROTIUS]. Nothing but joy [PISCATOR]. Count all "divers temptations" to be each matter of joy [BENGEL]. fall into--unexpectedly, so as to be encompassed by them (so the original Greek). temptations--not in the limited sense of allurements to sin, but trials or distresses of any kind which test and purify the Christian character. Compare "tempt," that is, try, Gen 22:1. Some of those to whom James writes were "sick," or otherwise "afflicted" (Jam 5:13). Every possible trial to the child of God is a masterpiece of strategy of the Captain of his salvation for his good.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

My brethren--a phrase often found in James, marking community of nation and of faith.

all joy--cause for the highest joy [GROTIUS]. Nothing but joy [PISCATOR]. Count all "divers temptations" to be each matter of joy [BENGEL].

fall into--unexpectedly, so as to be encompassed by them (so the original Greek).

temptations--not in the limited sense of allurements to sin, but trials or distresses of any kind which test and purify the Christian character. Compare "tempt," that is, try, Gen 22:1. Some of those to whom James writes were "sick," or otherwise "afflicted" (Jam 5:13). Every possible trial to the child of God is a masterpiece of strategy of the Captain of his salvation for his good.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
My brethren - Not brethren as Jews, but as Christians. Compare Jam 2:1. Count it all joy - Regard it as a thing to rejoice in; a matter which should afford you happiness. You are not to consider it as a punishment, a curse, or a calamity, but as a fit subject of felicitation. Compare the notes at Mat 5:12. When ye fall into divers temptations - Oh the meaning of the word "temptations," see the notes at Mat 4:1. It is now commonly used in the sense of placing allurements before others to induce them to sin, and in this sense the word seems to be used in Jam 1:13-14 of this chapter. Here, however, the word is used in the sense of trials, to wit, by persecution, poverty, calamity of any kind. These cannot be said to be direct inducements or allurements to sin, but they try the faith, and they show whether he who is tried is disposed to adhere to his faith in God, or whether he will apostatize. They so far coincide with temptations, properly so called, as to test the religion of men. They differ from temptations, properly so called, in that they are not brought before the mind for the express purpose of inducing people to sin. In this sense it is true that God never tempts men, Jam 1:13-14. On the sentiment in the passage before us, see the notes at Pe1 1:6-7. The word "divers" here refers to the various kinds of trials which they might experience - sickness, poverty, bereavement, persecution, etc. They were to count it a matter of joy that their religion was subjected to anything that tried it. It is well for us to have the reality of our religion tested, in whatever way it may be done.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

My brethren - Not brethren as Jews, but as Christians. Compare Jam 2:1.

Count it all joy - Regard it as a thing to rejoice in; a matter which should afford you happiness. You are not to consider it as a punishment, a curse, or a calamity, but as a fit subject of felicitation. Compare the notes at Mat 5:12.

When ye fall into divers temptations - Oh the meaning of the word "temptations," see the notes at Mat 4:1. It is now commonly used in the sense of placing allurements before others to induce them to sin, and in this sense the word seems to be used in Jam 1:13-14 of this chapter. Here, however, the word is used in the sense of trials, to wit, by persecution, poverty, calamity of any kind. These cannot be said to be direct inducements or allurements to sin, but they try the faith, and they show whether he who is tried is disposed to adhere to his faith in God, or whether he will apostatize. They so far coincide with temptations, properly so called, as to test the religion of men. They differ from temptations, properly so called, in that they are not brought before the mind for the express purpose of inducing people to sin. In this sense it is true that God never tempts men, Jam 1:13-14. On the sentiment in the passage before us, see the notes at Pe1 1:6-7. The word "divers" here refers to the various kinds of trials which they might experience - sickness, poverty, bereavement, persecution, etc. They were to count it a matter of joy that their religion was subjected to anything that tried it. It is well for us to have the reality of our religion tested, in whatever way it may be done.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
All joy (πᾶσαν χαρὰν) Joy follows up the rejoice of the greeting. The all has the sense of wholly. Count it a thing wholly joyful, without admixture of sorrow. Perhaps, as Bengel suggests, the all applies to all kinds of temptations. When (ὅταν) Lit., whenever: better, because it implies that temptation may be expected all along the Christian course. Ye fall into (περιπέσητε) The preposition περί, around, suggests falling into something which surrounds. Thus Thucydides, speaking of the plague at Athens, says, "The Athenians, having fallen into (περιπεσόντες) such affliction, were pressed by it." Divers (ποικίλοις) Rev., manifold. See on Pe1 1:6. Temptations (πειρασμοῖς) In the general sense of trials. See on Mat 6:13; and Pe1 1:6.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]

All joy (πᾶσαν χαρὰν)

Joy follows up the rejoice of the greeting. The all has the sense of wholly. Count it a thing wholly joyful, without admixture of sorrow. Perhaps, as Bengel suggests, the all applies to all kinds of temptations.

When (ὅταν)

Lit., whenever: better, because it implies that temptation may be expected all along the Christian course.

Ye fall into (περιπέσητε)

The preposition περί, around, suggests falling into something which surrounds. Thus Thucydides, speaking of the plague at Athens, says, "The Athenians, having fallen into (περιπεσόντες) such affliction, were pressed by it."

Divers (ποικίλοις)

Rev., manifold. See on Pe1 1:6.

Temptations (πειρασμοῖς)

In the general sense of trials. See on Mat 6:13; and Pe1 1:6.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
My brethren, count it all joy - Which is the highest degree of patience, and contains all the rest. When ye fall into divers temptations - That is, trials.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]

My brethren, count it all joy - Which is the highest degree of patience, and contains all the rest. When ye fall into divers temptations - That is, trials.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
Count it all joy - The word πειρασμος, which we translate temptation, signifies affliction, persecution, or trial of any kind; and in this sense it is used here, not intending diabolic suggestion, or what is generally understood by the word temptation.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826

Count it all joy - The word πειρασμος, which we translate temptation, signifies affliction, persecution, or trial of any kind; and in this sense it is used here, not intending diabolic suggestion, or what is generally understood by the word temptation.

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