James 1:2-18

Trials and Temptations

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds,
3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.
10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower.
11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.
12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;
14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.
15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters.
17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

Images for James 1:2-18

Related Articles

Cross References 28

  • 1. ver 12; S Matthew 5:12; Hebrews 10:34; Hebrews 12:11; 1 Peter 1:6
  • 2. 1 Peter 1:7
  • 3. S Hebrews 10:36
  • 4. S 1 Corinthians 2:6
  • 5. 1 Kings 3:9,10; Proverbs 2:3-6
  • 6. Psalms 51:6; Daniel 1:17; Daniel 2:21; S Matthew 7:7
  • 7. S Matthew 21:21; Mark 11:24
  • 8. Psalms 119:113; James 4:8
  • 9. 2 Peter 2:14; 2 Peter 3:16
  • 10. S Matthew 23:12
  • 11. Job 14:2; Psalms 103:15,16; Isaiah 40:6,7; 1 Corinthians 7:31; 1 Peter 1:24
  • 12. Matthew 20:12
  • 13. Psalms 102:4,11
  • 14. Isaiah 40:6-8
  • 15. ver 2; Genesis 22:1; James 5:11; 1 Peter 3:14
  • 16. S 1 Corinthians 9:25
  • 17. Exodus 20:6; 1 Corinthians 2:9; 1 Corinthians 8:3; James 2:5
  • 18. Proverbs 19:3
  • 19. Genesis 3:6; Job 15:35; Psalms 7:14; Isaiah 59:4
  • 20. S Romans 6:23
  • 21. S 1 Corinthians 6:9
  • 22. ver 19; James 2:5
  • 23. Psalms 85:12; John 3:27; James 3:15,17
  • 24. Genesis 1:16; Psalms 136:7; Daniel 2:22; 1 John 1:5
  • 25. Numbers 23:19; Psalms 102:27; Malachi 3:6
  • 26. S John 1:13
  • 27. S 2 Timothy 2:15
  • 28. Jeremiah 2:3; Ephesians 1:12; Revelation 14:4

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. The Greek word for "brothers and sisters" ("adelphoi" ) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in verses 16 and 19; and in 2:1, 5, 14; 3:10, 12; 4:11; 5:7, 9, 10, 12, 19.
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.