James 1:9

Humility Poverty and the vulnerable Identity and self-worth

⁷ For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

⁸ A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:

¹⁰ But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.

¹¹ For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: The brother in humble circumstances should exult in his high position.
KJV: Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:
WEB: Let the brother in humble circumstances glory in his high position;
ASV: But let the brother of low degree glory in his high estate:
DARBY: But let the brother of low degree glory in his elevation,
BLB: But let the brother of humbleness boast in his exaltation,

ÅB: Men den ringe bror rose seg av sin høyhet,
OTB: Troende i ydmyke omstendigheter bør være stolte av sin høye posisjon;
B1930: Men den ringe bror rose sig av sin høihet,

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Jeremiah 9:23–24
Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
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Proverbs 19:1
Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
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James 2:5–6
Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
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2 Corinthians 6:10
As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
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Psalms 62:9
Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.
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Luke 1:52
He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
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Psalms 113:7–8
He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;
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Revelation 2:9
I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
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