Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials…

James 1:2 RSV

πειρασμός Trials & Temptations

Messengers from Jerusalem arrive with a letter from the leader of the church. (Can’t wait to hear their good news.) So what is the first thing James has to say to all of us? Consider all of the various trials and temptations you have all experienced as a cause for joy.

Christ was crucified and risen just a dozen years ago, then James became head of the church in Jerusalem. Peter and the Apostles work with us as a family of our Lord, sending the Gospel to all of us whenever they can.

Background to the Persecution of Christians

To Rome, Herod was “King of the Jews,” and when they hung the sign over our crucified Lord they all thought that was the end of it. But after witness of His resurrection our troubles multiplied not only in Judea, but in every city with a synagogue from Coptos to Corinth.

Romans may arrest, imprison or enslave us. And zealous Jews loyal to Herod follow us to synagogues in every port, persecuting our Elders at any opportunity. We can hardly make a living in any city for fear of our lives.

Yet for the sake of Christ we worship God our Father with familiar songs and praises.

Psalm 55:
4 My heart shudders within me;
 terrors of death sweep over me.
 5 Fear and trembling grip me;
 horror has overwhelmed me...

12 Now it is not an enemy who insults me—
 otherwise I could bear it;
 it is not a foe who rises up against me—
 otherwise I could hide from him.
 13 But it is you, a man who is my peer,
 my companion and good friend!
 14 We used to have close fellowship;
 we walked with the crowd into the house of God...

19 God, the one enthroned from long ago,
 will hear and will humiliate them Selah
 because they do not change
 and do not fear God.

Who Gets the Letters to the Early Church?

Now those who had been scattered as a result of the persecution that started because of Stephen made their way as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews.

Acts 11:19 CSB

Acts 11:20 But there were some of them, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.

Jews fled Jerusalem and Judea to cities up the eastern coast of the Mediterranean. These followers of Jesus and many new Jewish followers of the Apostles had heard first-hand witnesses to the resurrection. And now they even go to preach to the gentiles – Greeks and Romans. It is a new diaspora of Christ-followers to cities where Jews have already settled.

Baker Illustrated Bible Commentary

The commentator, Douglas Moo, describes their circumstances:

Forced to live away from their home church, these scattered parishioners required exhortation and advice on issues they were facing. What is more natural than that their spiritual guide send them a pastoral letter?

Perhaps some of these faithful followers of Jesus had even heard the powerful preaching of Stephen as he had been stoned to death.

Trials and Maturity

In Jerusalem they stoned and beheaded our beloved brother, James the Greater, son of Zebedee. It’s encouraging that James writes to us to have joy. No doubt all in Jerusalem endure more trials.

Ἰάκωβος θεοῦ καὶ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ δοῦλος ταῖς δώδεκα φυλαῖς ταῖς ἐν τῇ διασπορᾷ χαίρειν

James 1:1

“James, bond-servant of Theos and the Lord Jesus,” he greets us. God knows his faithfulness to the Apostles and Elders of The Way.

“To the twelve tribes of the diaspora abroad.”

Yes, we are the true Israel driven into every part of the world, but now in the victory of our risen Messiah we finally have joy and mercy, grace and peace, and the love of God in our Lord Jesus.

James writes to us (and his messengers who will go into all the other cities):

Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

James 1:2-4 CSB

We know trials… temptations to live like the Greeks or the Romans, even like the hateful Herodians and hypocrites of the Temple who pursue us.

Thank God for James and our brothers in Jerusalem, who send encouragement and help to us, so we might survive these trying times. Rome must have been part of God’s plan plan of completion for us. Christ is redeeming this remnant.

Our Lord has sent us all fleeing into the all the world, and for this James encourages us to count it all joy.

Joy

Shout for joy, you heavens!
 Earth, rejoice!
 Mountains break into joyful shouts!
 For the LORD has comforted his people,
 and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.
- Isaiah 49:13

James writes to us:

Let the brother of humble circumstances boast in his exaltation, but let the rich boast in his humiliation because he will pass away like a flower of the field.

James 1:9-10 CSB

Our humble circumstances as followers of Jesus brings our hearts low. For we struggle greatly in our daily lives. We can barely provide for our wives and our children. And what will happen to them if our witness for Christ would cost our life here?

Yes, we are with our Lord, forever; but what will happen to our loved ones? James calls on us to be as humble as Jesus, to have joy for our salvation won. We will hold his proverb from this letter near to our hearts:

Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

James 1:12 CSB

Spurgeon on James

Excerpt from CSB Introduction to James

When blessed by God, our trials ripen us. Believers who have endured a great deal of affliction exhibit a great deal of mellowness that you never see in other people. It cannot be mistaken or imitated…

Do you count it all joy?

The 19th century preacher points out how different these believers with faith ripened in the burning sun appear as a fruit with unmistakable sweetness.

Are you, beloved brother, dear sister – suffering in any way for your sweetness in Christ?

Do trials by those around you refine your witness or delineate your humility?

Would anyone recognize Jesus by looking at you?

James has a few firm suggestions to solidify our faith and bring joy to our witness. Consider all of these things.

To be continued...