Section 1:12–18
God does not tempt people to do evil
This section has an opening verse (1:12) (Some commentators connect 1:12 to 1:2–11 (Hiebert, for example). Others see 1:12 as a kind of “hinge” that connects 1:2–11 to 1:12–18 (Moo (2000), pages 71–72; McCartney, page 100). They recognize that 1:2–3 and 1:12 form an inclusio, or verbal bracket to 1:2–12 through the repetition in both of three key words: trials and two main paragraphs (1:13–15 and 1:16–18). In 1:12 James recalled 1:2–3 and that it was important to persevere in times of trial and temptation. The next paragraph, 1:13–15, points out that it is not God who tempts us but our own sinful desires, which eventually lead to death. Paragraph 1:16–18 reinforces this by saying that God gives only good gifts.
Some other possible headings for this section are:
Christians should endure testing and temptations
-or-
Trials and temptations
Paragraph 1:12
In this paragraph, James reminded his readers that it is important to persevere when difficult situations test their faith.
1:12a
Blessed: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Blessed means “in a good position” or “in an enviable/desirable situation.” In the Bible, the good situation results when God favors a person and does good to him. The person who perseveres when he is tried and tempted is in a good position.
This word does not primarily refer to a feeling. However, a person in this good situation will frequently have good feelings such as happiness and joy. Do not use a word that only refers to material prosperity or physical health.
Some other ways to translate this are:
Joyful/desirable/happy is the situation of the man
-or-
How good it is for the man
-or-
The person is favored/fortunate
Refer also to your translation of Matthew 5:3–11, where this word is used in a similar way.
man: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as man generally refers to a male. However, in this context, the word introduces a general statement that is true of everyone. In some languages, it may be natural to introduce this statement with a general word like “people” or with a pronoun like “you” or “they.” For example:
Blessed are people
-or-
Blessed are those
-or-
Blessed is anyone (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
God will bless you (Contemporary English Version)
perseveres: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as perseveres means “continued effort to fulfill some purpose.” Someone who perseveres has the ability to face all kinds of troubles, difficulties, and sufferings with courage and faithfulness. He continues to work towards his goal. He does not run away or give up.
Some other ways to translate this verb are:
endures (NET Bible)
-or-
persists
-or-
don’t give up (Contemporary English Version)
This verb corresponds to the noun in 1:3c that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “perseverance”. See the note there.
under trial: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as trial refers to difficult situations that occur in a person’s life and test his faith. These can include both external problems like persecution and internal temptations from Satan.
Some other ways to translate this phrase are:
during troubles/difficulties
-or-
hardships/problems
-or-
when they are tested (God’s Word)
-or-
when your faith is being tested (Contemporary English Version)
This same word occurs in 1:2b.
1:12b
because: The conjunction because introduces the reason that the person who endures trials in 1:12a is blessed. He is blessed (1:12a) because he will receive the crown of life (1:12c). In some languages, it will be more natural to put the reason before 1:12a. See the General Comment on 1:12a–d at the end of 1:12d for an example.
when he has stood the test: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as when he has stood the test means “when he has passed the test.” When this person is persecuted because he believes in Jesus, he perseveres. He does not abandon his faith. In this way he passes the test. He shows that his faith is genuine.
Some other ways to translate this phrase are:
When they pass the test (God’s Word)
-or-
when he has proven to be genuine (NET Bible)
-or-
After they have proved their faith (New Century Version)
The word “test” here in 1:12b and the word “testing” in 1:3b come from related Greek words.
1:12c
he will receive the crown of life: The word crown literally refers to a wreath of leaves that both the Greek and Roman cultures put on a person’s head in order to honor him.
Here the word crown is a metaphor. James was using this metaphor to refer to a “reward” or “prize” for passing a test. He was not saying that believers will receive an actual object on their heads such as a crown.
So the phrase the crown of life refers to the reward or prize. A person will receive this reward or prize if he perseveres in his faith when he is persecuted. That reward/prize is eternal life.
There are two ways to translate this metaphor:
• Keep the metaphor. For example:
he will receive the crown of eternal life
• Translate the meaning of the metaphor without keeping the figure of speech. For example:
he will receive in reward the life which God has promised (Revised English Bible)
-or-
God will reward them with life forever (New Century Version)
-or-
God will give him a reward/prize. That reward is eternal life
life: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as life here refers to eternal life with God. For example:
life forever (New Century Version)
-or-
life with God that never ends
1:12d
God: Most of the earliest Greek manuscripts simply have the pronoun “he” here. Other Greek manuscripts have “God” or “Lord.” The meaning is the same. “He” refers to God. Most English versions supply the word “God” to make it clear who is meant. You may want to do this also.
has promised: The verb promised means “affirm that he would do something.” God said with certainty that he would give the crown of life to those who passed the test.
Some other ways to translate this verb are:
vowed/guaranteed that he would do
-or-
said that he would certainly do
to those who love Him: The phrase those who love Him refers to all believers. James was including himself and his readers among those who love Him. In some languages, it may be necessary to make this clear by using the word “us.” Some other ways to translate this are:
to all those/people who love him
-or-
to all of us(incl) who love him
-or-
to everyone who loves him
General Comment on 1:12a–d
In some languages, it is more natural to put the reason (1:12b–d) before the result (1:12a). For example:
12bWhen someone has stood the test, 12che will receive the crown of life 12dthat God has promised to those who love him. 12aThat is why the man who perseveres under trial is blessed.
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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.