James 1:2

Joy in Trials

1:2 My brothers and sisters, ¹  consider it nothing but joy ²  when you fall into all sorts of trials,

James 1:9

1:9 Now the believer ³  of humble means ⁴  should take pride ⁵  in his high position. ⁶ 

James 2:15

2:15 If a brother or sister ⁷  is poorly clothed and lacks daily food,

James 3:1

The Power of the Tongue

3:1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, ⁸  because you know that we will be judged more strictly. ⁹ 

[1:2]  ¹ tn Grk “brothers,” but the Greek word may be used for “brothers and sisters” or “fellow Christians” as here (cf. BDAG 18 s.v. ἀδελφός 1, where considerable nonbiblical evidence for the plural ἀδελφοί [adelfoi] meaning “brothers and sisters” is cited). Where the plural term is used in direct address, as here, “brothers and sisters” is used; where the term is singular and not direct address (as in v. 9), “believer” is preferred.

[1:2]  ² tn Grk “all joy,” “full joy,” or “greatest joy.”

[1:9]  ³ tn Grk “brother.” Here the term “brother” means “fellow believer” or “fellow Christian” (cf. TEV, NLT “Christians”; CEV “God’s people”). The term broadly connotes familial relationships within the family of God (cf. BDAG 18 s.v. ἀδελφός 2.a).

[1:9]  ⁴ tn Grk “the lowly brother,” but “lowly/humble” is clarified in context by the contrast with “wealthy” in v. 10.

[1:9]  ⁵ tn Grk “let him boast.”

[1:9]  ⁶ tn Grk “his height,” “his exaltation.”

[2:15]  ⁵ tn It is important to note that the words ἀδελφός (adelfos) and ἀδελφή (adelfh) both occur in the Greek text at this point, confirming that the author intended to refer to both men and women. See the note on “someone” in 2:2.

[3:1]  ⁷ tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:2.

[3:1]  ⁸ tn Grk “will receive a greater judgment.”