1:10a
But the one who is rich: The clause But the one who is rich contrasts with 1:9. However, there are two ways to interpret the clause the one who is rich:
(1) It refers to believers who are rich, in contrast to the ones who are poor (1:9). James was warning rich believers not to put their confidence in or highly value riches. For example, the Good News Translation says:
the rich Christians
(Good News Translation, Revised English Bible, God’s Word, Contemporary English Version and probably Berean Standard Bible, New International Version (2011 Revision), New Living Translation (2004 Revision), New Century Version) (Mayor, pages 43–44; Ropes, pages 145–146; Mitton, pages 36–37; Adamson (1976), page 61; Hiebert, pages 91–92; Moo (1985), page 68; Lenski, page 534; Tasker, page 43.)
(2) It refers to unbelievers. James was speaking about rich people who were generally evil and not believers in Jesus, like the ones described in James 2:6–7 and 5:1–6. He said that they will be condemned. For example, the New American Standard Bible says:
the rich man
(New American Standard Bible, NET Bible) (Alford, page 278; Huther, pages 55–56; Laws, pages 62–64; Davids (1982), pages 76–77; Martin, pages 25–26; Dibelius, pages 84–85, Stulac, pages 190–201.)
Some English translations can be understood either way (English Standard Version, Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, King James Version, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English). The choice between interpretation (1) and (2) is very difficult. Some translators may prefer to translate in a way that can be understood as either (1) or (2). For example:
the rich (English Standard Version)
-or-
rich people
If you must choose one interpretation, or if you prefer to choose one interpretation, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Most English versions and many commentators follow that interpretation.
Some ways to make it clear that the one who is rich is also a brother are:
the rich brother
-or-
Rich believers (God’s Word)
-or-
the rich Christians (Good News Translation)
the one: Like “the brother” in 1:9a, the one here refers to rich believers in general. Consider whether it is more natural to use a singular or plural term here in your language.
should exult: The phrase should exult does not occur in Greek. However, it is clear from the parallel structure in 1:9b that readers should understand the same phrase here. So the Berean Standard Bible has supplied these words.
As noted in 1:9b, the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as should exult often means “boast.” But the Bible teaches that we should “boast” or “highly value” things that people generally have a low opinion of. Some of these things are weakness (2 Corinthians 12:5), knowing God (Jeremiah 9:24), and sufferings (Romans 5:3). Here James says that rich believers should “think well of” or “highly value” their low position.
Some other ways to translate this are:
be glad (Good News Translation)
-or-
think well/highly of
-or-
highly value
-or-
rejoice
If possible, use the same word for both the lowly brother (1:9b) and for the rich brother.
in his low position: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as in his low position refers to:
(a) a humble attitude. God causes rich men to become humble so they understand that they need him to save them. Rich believers also become humble as they realize that their wealth does not make them important. They learn to highly value things that most people think of as lowly like serving others and being mistreated for the sake of Jesus.
(b) losing their wealth and high status when they were persecuted for being believers in Jesus.
If possible, translate this in a general way that could include both (a) and (b).
Some other ways to translate this phrase are:
in being brought low (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
when God makes them humble (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
God has humbled them (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
1:10b
because: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as because introduces the basis for the command in 1:10a. The rich believer should take pride in his low position, not in his riches (1:10a), because he, and his riches with him, will not last long (1:10b). In some languages, it is more natural to put the basis for the command (in 1:10b) before the command (in 1:10a). See the General Comment on 1:10a–b below for an example.
he will pass away like a flower of the field: This clause is a simile. In this simile, the rich person is compared to a wild flower. Some ways that they are similar are:
(a) They are not permanent. Both will soon die.
(b) It is only for a short period of time that people regard a rich person and a wild flower as important.
It is implied that the rich person’s wealth is also not permanent. You may want to make this explicit in your translation. For example:
he, and his riches too, will pass away like a wild flower
he will pass away: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as he will pass away here means that the rich believer, like all people, “will die.” His life on this earth will end. For example:
The rich will die (New Century Version)
Many languages use idiomatic expressions for dying. In English, one such expression is what the Berean Standard Bible has used: pass away. If you have an idiom or an expression that would fit both a flower that withers and dies as well as a person who dies, you may want to use that here. For example:
he will no longer be alive
-or-
he will cease to live/be
-or-
he will no longer be present
like a flower of the field: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as flower of the field refers to flowers that grow on their own. No one plants them. In Israel, the land where James lived, brightly colored wild flowers grow in great numbers when rain comes. But it is not long before the hot sun dries them up, and they die.
In some languages there is no general word for a flower. In such cases, it may be necessary to:
• Use a word for a specific well-known flower that only lives for a short while and dies in the heat.
• Use a word for a specific part of a plant such as:
a blossom
-or-
a bloom
General Comment on 1:10a–b
In some languages, it will be more natural to change the order of the clauses in 1:10 and put the basis (1:10b) before the command (1:10a). For example:
10aBut the one who is rich 10bwill pass away like a flower of the field. 10aSo, he should exult in his low position, not in his riches.
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