James 1:12

1:12 Happy is the one ¹  who endures testing, because when he has proven to be genuine, he will receive the crown of life that God ²  promised to those who love him.

James 1:21

1:21 So put away all filth and evil excess and humbly ³  welcome the message implanted within you, which is able to save your souls.

James 2:23

2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Now Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness,” ⁴  and he was called God’s friend. ⁵ 

James 3:4

3:4 Look at ships too: Though they are so large and driven by harsh winds, they are steered by a tiny rudder wherever the pilot’s inclination directs.

James 3:9

3:9 With it we bless the Lord ⁶  and Father, and with it we curse people ⁷  made in God’s image.

James 4:1

Passions and Pride

4:1 Where do the conflicts and where ⁸  do the quarrels among you come from? Is it not from this, ⁹  from your passions that battle inside you? ¹⁰ 

James 4:12

4:12 But there is only one who is lawgiver and judge – the one who is able to save and destroy. On the other hand, who are you to judge your neighbor? ¹¹ 

[1:12]  ¹ tn The word for “man” or “individual” here is ἀνήρ (anhr), which often means “male” or “man (as opposed to woman).” However, as BDAG 79 s.v. 2 says, here it is “equivalent to τὶς someone, a person.”

[1:12]  ² tc Most mss ([C] P 0246 Ï) read ὁ κύριος (Jo kurio", “the Lord”) here, while others have ὁ θεός (Jo qeo", “God”; 4 33^vid 323 945 1739 al). However, several important and early witnesses (̲³ א A B Ψ 81 co) have no explicit subject. In light of the scribal tendency toward clarification, and the fact that both κύριος and θεός are well represented, there can be no doubt that the original text had no explicit subject. The referent (God) has been specified in the translation for clarity, not because of textual basis.

[1:21]  ³ tn Or “with meekness.”

[2:23]  ⁵ sn A quotation from Gen 15:6.

[2:23]  ⁶ sn An allusion to 2 Chr 20:7; Isa 41:8; 51:2; Dan 3:35 (LXX), in which Abraham is called God’s “beloved.”

[3:9]  ⁷ tc Most later mss (Ï), along with several versional witnesses, have θεόν (qeon, “God”) here instead of κύριον (kurion, “Lord”). Such is a predictable variant since nowhere else in the NT is God described as “Lord and Father,” but he is called “God and Father” on several occasions. Further, the reading κύριον is well supported by early and diversified witnesses (̲⁰ א A B C P Ψ 33 81 945 1241 1739), rendering it as the overwhelmingly preferred reading.

[3:9]  ⁸ tn Grk “men”; but here ἀνθρώπους (anqrwpous) has generic force, referring to both men and women.

[4:1]  ⁹ tn The word “where” is repeated in Greek for emphasis.

[4:1]  ¹⁰ tn Grk “from here.”

[4:1]  ¹¹ tn Grk “in your members [i.e., parts of the body].”

[4:12]  ¹¹ tn Grk “who judges your neighbor.”