James 1 · Verse 2

James 1:2

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
James 1:2, King James Version

James 1:2 in other translations

BSBConsider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds,
WEBCount it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various temptations,
ASVCount it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into manifold temptations;
YLTAll joy count it, my brethren, when ye may fall into temptations manifold;
DARBYCount it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into various temptations,
BBELet it be all joy to you, my brothers, when you undergo tests of every sort;
WebsterMy brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.

What does James 1:2 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
2. 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, Ge 22:1. Some of those to whom James writes were "sick," or otherwise "afflicted" (Jas 5:13). Every possible trial to the child of God is a masterpiece of strategy of the Captain of his salvation for his good.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 2. My brethren. Not brethren as Jews, but as Christians. Compare Jas 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. Mt 5:12. When ye fall into divers temptations. On the meaning of the word temptations, Mt 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 Jas 1:13-14. 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 men to sin. In this sense, it is true that God never tempts men, Jas 1:13-14. On the sentiment in the passage before us, 1Pet 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.

(a) "count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations" Mt 5:12; 1Pet 4:13-16 (*) "temptations", or "various trials"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 2 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, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on James 1:1-11

Chapter Outline How to apply to God under troubles, and how to behave in prosperous and in adverse circumstances. (1-11) To look upon all evil as proceeding from ourselves, and all good from God. (12-18) The duty of watching against a rash temper, and of receiving the word of God with meekness. (19-21) And of living according thereto. (22-25) The difference between vain pretences and real religion. (26-27) Verses…

Read the full comment on James 1:1-11 →

James 1:2 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΠᾶσανPasanAllG3956
χαρὰνcharanjoyG5479
ἡγήσασθε,hēgēsasthedo esteem [it],G2233
ἀδελφοίadelphoibrothersG80
μου,mouof mine,G3165
ὅτανhotanwhenG3752
πειρασμοῖςpeirasmoistrialsG3986
περιπέσητεperipesēteyou may fall intoG4045
ποικίλοις,poikiloisvarious,G4164

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for James 1:2

  • 1 Peter 1:6-8

    Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

  • James 1:12

    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.

  • 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

    And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

  • Matthew 5:10-12

    Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

  • Luke 6:22-23

    Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

  • Philippians 1:29

    For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

  • 2 Peter 2:9

    The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

  • Romans 8:17-18

    And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

  • Revelation 2:10

    Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

  • Colossians 1:24

    Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

  • Romans 8:35-37

    Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

  • Acts 5:41

    And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
count.
12; Mt 5:10-12; Lu 6:22,23; Ac 5:41; Ro 8:17,18,35-37; 2Co 12:9
2Co 12:10; Php 1:29; 2:17; Col 1:24; Heb 10:34; 1Pe 4:13-16
divers.
Heb 11:36-38; 1Pe 1:6-8; 2Pe 2:9; Re 2:10

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • James 1:1

    James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

  • James 1:2

    My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

  • James 1:3

    Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

Read all of James 1

James 1:2 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Hermanos míos, tened por sumo gozo cuando cayereis en diversas tentaciones;
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Estimez-le comme une parfaite joie, mes frères, quand vous serez en butte à diverses tentations,
German
Elberfelder 1871		Achtet es für lauter Freude, meine Brüder, wenn ihr in mancherlei Versuchungen fallet,
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Omne gaudium existimate fratres mei, cum in tentationes varias incideritis: