1:23a–24b

This is a type of comparison called a simile. In this simile, a man who listens to the word (in 1:23a–b) is compared to a man who looks at his face in a mirror (in 1:23c–24b). Some ways that they are similar are that:

(a) they both realize something about themselves that they ought to act on

(b) they carelessly neglect to do anything about it

Part of what is similar is implied but not stated in this comparison. If what is similar is not clear, then it may be necessary to include some of the implied information in your translation. For example:

^23aFor anyone who hears the word ^23bbut does not carry it out ^23cis like a man who looks at his face in a mirror ^24aand after observing something he should do, ^24bgoes away and immediately forgets/neglects to do anything about it.

1:23a–b

In Greek and the Berean Standard Bible, this verse begins with a conjunction that means “for” or “because.” This conjunction introduces the basis for James’ command in 1:22. Most English versions do not translate this conjunction. Consider whether you need a conjunction or phrase in your language to make the relationship between 1:22 and 1:23 clear.

For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out: In Greek, this clause is literally, “For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer.” Translate “hearer” and “doer” in the same way in which you translated them in 1:22.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

If someone listens to God’s word but doesn’t do what it says (God’s Word)
-or-
If you hear the message and don’t obey it (Contemporary English Version)

1:23c

is like: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as is like means “to be similar to.” The person in 1:23a–b is compared to the person in 1:23c–24b.

a man: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as a man here means “someone.” It normally refers to a male, but in this context the word introduces a general statement that is true of either a man or a woman (as in 1:12a).

Some other ways to translate this word are:

someone (NET Bible)
-or-
a person (God’s Word)

who looks at his face in a mirror: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as looks at means “to look at something so as to notice what it is like.” The person does not just give a quick glance at his image in the mirror. He looks carefully enough to observe what his face is like. (See the discussion in Adamson (1989), page 407.)

Some other ways to translate this are:

carefully looks at himself in a mirror
-or-
observes his reflection

his face: The Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as his face is literally “the face of his existence/origin.” It apparently means his physical face, his face in its natural state. For example:

his natural face (Revised Standard Version)

This perhaps indicates that his face was dirty or he needed to trim his beard, or the woman needed to adjust her make-up. The person saw that he needed to correct something about his appearance but was foolish and did nothing about it (1:24a–b).

© 2012 by SIL International®

Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

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.

Paragraph 3:4–5b

In this paragraph, James used the illustration of how a small rudder can turn a large ship. In a similar way, the tongue, even though it is a small part of the body, can have enormous effects.

3:4a

Consider ships as well: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Consider ships as well is literally “Look, the ships also.” These words introduce James’ second comparison and call attention to that example. Use a natural expression for introducing an illustration in a way that gets the attention of the readers/hearers. For example:

Also, listen to this example of ships
-or-
Or think of a ship (Good News Translation)

ships: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as ships may refer to any kind of ship or boat. In this verse, James mentions the wind (3:4c). So it is clear that here he was thinking of sailing ships.

A sailing ship is a large boat that uses the power of the wind to move it across the water. One or more sails (very large pieces of strong cloth) are attached to tall posts on the ship. The wind blows against the cloth which in turn pushes the whole boat.

Some ways to translate this word are:

big sailing ships
-or-
huge canoes with sails
-or-
very large boats

In some languages, it is more natural to use a singular word “ship” here.

If the idea of a large boat with sails is not known by the people of your region, you may want to include an illustration at this place in your translation.

3:4b–c

Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds: In this clause, James listed two things that make it hard to control a ship: its size and the powerful winds that blow on it.

3:4c

are driven by strong winds: The clause are driven by strong winds indicates that it takes strong winds to cause these ships to move. Some other ways to translate this clause are:

are pushed by strong winds
-or-
are carried by strong winds
-or-
are blown by strong winds

The verb is passive. There are at least two ways to translate it:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

it is pushed by strong winds (New Century Version)

• Use an active verb. For example:

strong winds…move a large sailing ship (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
and seamen use strong winds to move their large sailing ships

3:4d

they are steered by a very small rudder: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as steered is from the same verb as the word translated “guide” in 3:3c. It refers to turning or changing the direction of something that is moving.

Some other ways to translate this verb are:

they are guided by a very small rudder (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
are controlled by a very small rudder (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

This verb is passive. There are at least two ways to translate it:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

it can be steered by a very small rudder (Good News Translation)

• using an active verb. For example:

a very small rudder controls that big ship (New Century Version)
-or-
the captain uses only a small rudder to make it go in any direction (Contemporary English Version)

rudder: A rudder is a device that sailors use to steer a boat. It is attached to the back or the side of the boat. In ancient boats, it consisted of a wide, flat piece of wood attached to the end of a long pole. The man who steered the boat held one end of the pole and the other end with the flat piece of wood went down into the water. By pushing or pulling the pole, he was able to change the direction that the boat was going.

Some ways to translate rudder are:

• Use a specific word. For example:

rudder

• Use a word for the piece of wood that moves and turns canoes. For example:

paddle/oar

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

a small steering paddle/thing

Each ship had one rudder. If you have spoken of “ships” in the plural in 3:4a–b, you may need to speak of rudders in the plural.

3:4e

pilot: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as pilot refers to the man who steers a boat using a rudder. Some other ways to translate this word are:

boatman
-or-
oarsman
-or-
the sailor/man who steers

Each ship had one pilot. If you have been talking about “ships,” consider whether you will need to say “pilot” or “pilots” here.

is inclined: James emphasizes that it is the man who steers the boat who determines its direction. Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

in the direction the pilot wants to cause it to go
-or-
wherever the pilot chooses to go (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))

General Comment on 3:4a–d

In some languages, it may be helpful to reorder this verse so that 3:4b–c comes after 3:4d–e. For example:

^4aFor another example, think about a sailing ship. ^4eThe pilot directs it wherever he wishes ^4dby means of a tiny rudder, ^4beven though the ship may be very large ^4cand only strong winds can move it.

© 2012 by SIL International®

Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

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.

5:3a

gold and silver: The words gold and silver may refer here to coins made of gold and silver. But the phrase may also include jewelry and drinking cups or bowls made of gold and silver.

If your language does not have words for both gold and silver, it may be possible to say:

gold and other fine metal
-or-
money (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
precious/expensive metals

corroded: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as corroded literally means “rusted.” It is the process that forms a reddish coating on metals such as iron when they get damp. The word implies that the metal is being spoiled or destroyed.

Pure gold and silver do not rust. But the gold and silver that most people have is not 100% pure, so it can rust. In addition, silver can tarnish (become blackened).

Some other ways to translate this word are:

rusted (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
tarnished/blackened

5:3b

Their corrosion will testify against you: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Their corrosion will testify against you is literally “Their corrosion will be a witness to/for you.” For example:

their rust will be a witness against you (NET Bible)

This sentence is a figure of speech called personification. In this personification, James speaks of corrosion as if it were a person who will testify in court. James meant that on the day when God will judge all people, the corrosion of the gold and silver will be evidence that rich people had misused their possessions. They misused their possessions by hoarding them. (An alternate understanding of the sense in which the rust “will testify against them” is that the rust is evidence of the temporary and perishable (and therefore worthless) nature of riches. However, if this is the meaning, then the rust is less a condemning testimony in court and more a “teaching witness” that reveals the true nature and value of riches. But this is less in keeping with the context of judgment coming upon them in the last days.) Rich people had more possessions than they needed, but they did not give them to help others.

There are at least two ways to translate this:

• Keep the personification. For example:

their rust will be a witness against you (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
their rust will speak against you^(plur) in court

• Translate the meaning. For example:

the rust will be evidence against you (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
the rust will be evidence to accuse you^(plur) on the day of judgment.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

that rust will be a proof that you were wrong (New Century Version)
-or-
their very tarnish will be the evidence of your wicked hoarding (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
the rust will be the sign of your^(plur) sin of being greedy
-or-
that rust will make it clear that you^(plur) have been selfish with your wealth

Their corrosion: The phrase Their corrosion refers to the corrosion or rust of the gold and silver in 5:3a. Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

the same corrosion (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
their rust (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
that rust (New Century Version)
-or-
this will be evidence

5:3c

and consume your flesh: The subject of this clause is “their corrosion” from 5:3b. The corrosion will consume your flesh. James connected the idea that their wealth is being destroyed by rust with the idea that they too will be destroyed. That is, they will be judged guilty by God and punished.

This whole expression is figurative language. Here “corrosion” (rust) refers to God’s judging and punishing rich people based on the evidence of their greed. The verb consume is used in an extended sense to mean “destroy.” The noun flesh refers to the entire “body.” (It does not refer to just the skin.) So this clause refers to God punishing (the bodies of) these rich people.

Some ways to translate this clause are:

• Keep the figurative language. For example:

It will eat your bodies (New Century Version)

• Keep some of the figurative language. For example:

it burns your body (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
it will destroy your body (God’s Word)
-or-
and that same rust that destroys your^(plur) wealth will destroy you^(plur) too

• Translate the meaning without the figurative language. For example:

and because of this your^(plur) bodies will be consumed
-or-
and it will cause you^(plur) to be destroyed in hell
-or-
That rust will so certainly condemn you that it will be as if the rust itself destroys you
-or-
and God will punish you

like fire: The phrase like fire is a comparison called a simile. In this simile, rust is compared to fire. One way that they are similar is that both destroy or consume things. Fire is a common image of God’s judgment in both the Old Testament scriptures (see, for example, Isaiah 30:27, 33) and in Jesus’ teaching (see, for example, Matthew 25:41).

Some ways to translate this phrase are:

• Keep the simile. For example:

like fire consumes/burns things
-or-
like the fire of God’s judgment
-or-
like the fire of hell

• Translate the meaning without the simile. One way to do this is to translate the word fire with an adverb that strengthens your translation of the expression “will eat your flesh.” For example:

you^(plur) will be severely punished
-or-
God will harshly punish you

5:3d

You have hoarded treasure: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as You have hoarded treasure means “you have stored, gathered, or saved treasure.” This refers to all the possessions the rich people had gathered (in 5:2–3a).

Some other ways to translate this word are:

You have piled up riches (Good News Translation)
-or-
You have stored up riches (God’s Word)
-or-
you keep on storing up wealth (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
You^(plur) have accumulated many things for yourselves

in the last days: There are two ways to interpret the phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as in the last days:

(1) It means in the time of the last days. James believed that he was already living in the final days before the end of the world. He was implying that it was foolish for rich people to continue gathering more and more possessions. They ought to realize that God would soon judge everyone in the world. For example, the Revised English Bible says:

in an age that is near its close

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version (2011 Revision), Good News Translation, Revised English Bible, New American Standard Bible, English Standard Version, NET Bible, God’s Word)

(2) It means in preparation for the last days. According to this interpretation, the rich were hoarding wealth to prepare for the difficult times in the last days. For example, the Revised Standard Version says:

for the last days

(Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New Century Version, King James Version, New Living Translation (2004 Revision))

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). The Greek preposition normally means “in” rather than “for.” Also, the expression “the last days” normally refers to all of the present age since the Day of Pentecost. James was implying that the days we live in will soon end with God’s Day of Judgment.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

during these last days
-or-
in this last period of time before God judges people

General Comment on 5:3d

James rebuked these rich people for hoarding wealth in the last days. This was a foolish thing to do. People hoard wealth in order to have it for the future. But if it is the last days, the world as they knew it would soon come to an end and judgment would follow. In your translation, you may want to show that hoarding wealth is not the wise or logical thing to do in the last days. For example:

You have foolishly hoarded wealth in the last days.
-or-
The world is about to end, but/yet you are storing up wealth.

© 2012 by SIL International®

Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

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.

Section 1:2–11

James encouraged believers to continue to trust God during times of testing

The theme of this section is that it is important for Christians to continue to trust God when going through various kinds of trials or difficulties. These trials are a test of their faith (1:2–4). They need God’s wisdom in order to remain faithful to him, and so they should pray for wisdom (1:5). When they come to God in prayer, they should have an attitude of firm trust in him (1:6–8). Both poverty and wealth test a Christian. They should trust God whether rich or poor and learn to think about poverty and wealth as God does (1:9–11).

Some other possible headings for this section are:

Have faith and wisdom
-or-
When you have trials/tests, you must trust God
-or-
Be joyful when your faith is tested

Paragraph 1:2–4

James taught that Christians should rejoice when persons or situations test their faith. When such tests occur, Christians learn how to persevere, and they become more mature in their faith.

1:2a

Consider it pure joy, my brothers: Here in Greek, James switched from speaking about his readers in the third person to addressing them directly. Make sure it is clear to your readers that the expression my brothers refers to the same people as “the twelve tribes” in 1:1b.

Consider it pure joy: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Consider it pure joy is literally “Consider it all joy” (as in the New American Standard Bible). This means “Regard trials as something to rejoice about” or “Think of trials as occasions for joy.” This refers to joy with no sadness mixed with it at all. James wanted his readers to think about their trials as positive events that God allowed for their good.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

be very happy (God’s Word)
-or-
be glad (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
let it be an opportunity for joy (New Living Translation, 1996 edition)

my brothers: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as brothers is the term commonly used in the New Testament to refer to other believers in Jesus. This term emphasizes that all believers belonged to God’s family. James used this term to identify with his audience and to show his closeness with all believers. You may have a different term of address in your language which establishes a feeling of closeness with your audience. If so, consider using it here.

Although James used a masculine form, he was not intending to exclude women. In your translation, you should use a word or phrase that does not exclude women.

Some other ways to translate this are:

my fellow believers
-or-
My brothers and sisters (NET Bible)
-or-
my relatives/siblings in Christ
-or-
my Christian friends

James tended to use a term of address (like my brothers) when he was introducing a new topic. Here he introduced the topic of trials. You may have another natural way in your language to introduce a new topic. If you do, you could use it here.

Notice that the Berean Standard Bible places the phrase my brothers in the middle of 1:2. This follows the Greek text. If it is more natural in your language to place it at the beginning or end of the sentence or verse, consider doing that here. For example:

My brothers and sisters, be very happy… (God’s Word)

1:2b

when you encounter trials of many kinds: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as encounter means “experience.” Some other ways to translate this clause are:

whenever you face trials of many kinds (New International Version (2011 Revision))
-or-
when you encounter various trials (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
when all kinds of trials come your way (Good News Translation)

trials of many kinds: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as trials of many kinds refers to various types of 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. The Greek term for trials includes the meanings of both testing and temptation.

Some ways to translate this clause are:

when you^(plur) experience all kinds of problems that test your faith
-or-
when you are tested in different ways (God’s Word)
-or-
when you have many kinds of troubles (New Century Version)

General Comment on 1:2a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to change the order of the clauses in 1:2. For example:

^2aMy brothers and sisters, ^2bwhen you have many kinds of troubles, ^2ayou should be full of joy. (New Century Version)

© 2012 by SIL International®

Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

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.

Paragraph 2:8–11

This paragraph indicates that showing favor to rich people is breaking God’s law. God told us to love everyone as we love ourselves. If we do not treat poor people as well as we treat rich people, we are not loving poor people. So we are not loving everyone as we love ourselves. As a result, we break God’s law.

2:8a

If you really fulfill the royal law: There are at least three ways to interpret the Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as really:

(1) It indicates a contrast with 2:9. It means “^2:8if, on the one hand, you keep the royal law…. ^2:9But if, on the other hand, you show favoritism….” Some versions show this contrast only at the beginning of 2:9. For example, the Good News Translation says:

^8dYou will be doing the right thing ^8aif you obey the law of the Kingdom,…^9aBut if you…

(2) It indicates that something is true, and it indicates it with emphasis. It can be translated as “really,” “truly,” or “in fact.”

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version (2011 Revision), English Standard Version, New Living Translation (2004 Revision))

(3) It indicates a contrast with what comes before. In this context, it contrasts with showing partiality against poor people as described in 2:1–7 and explicitly noted in 2:6a, “you have insulted the poor.” It can be translated as “but” or “however.” For example, the New American Standard Bible says:

If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law…

(New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible, NET Bible)

In the case of interpretations (2) and (3), some scholars also think that this conjunction indicates some irony. In other words, James implies that people are not really keeping the royal law. (See, for example: Davids (1982), page 114; McCartney, pages 147–148; Tasker, page 60.)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). It is certain that the conjunction shows contrast with 2:9. It may also show contrast with what goes before or emphasize the truth of the statement (or show irony), but this is less certain. And these should be clear from the context with or without a conjunction.

In most languages, it will be enough to mark the contrast at the beginning of 2:9. So it may not be necessary to translate the conjunction here. Or you may have a way to show that a pair of things are being contrasted. For example:

on the one hand,…on the other hand

fulfill: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as fulfill means “obey.” Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

If you obey the royal law
-or-
If you do what God said in the royal law

the royal law: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the royal law is literally “kingly law.” This law comes from a king and is the law of the kingdom. Here the king is God.

This phrase refers to the whole of God’s law, and it consists of many commands. It does not refer specifically to the command that follows (“Love your neighbor as yourself”) though that is one very important command within God’s law.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

the law of the Kingdom (Good News Translation)
-or-
the law of God the/our King
-or-
law from the highest authority (God’s Word)

2:8b

stated in Scripture: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as stated in Scripture is literally “according to the Scripture” (as in the Revised Standard Version). The royal law is written in the Scripture.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

in the Scripture
-or-
written in Scripture
-or-
as God said in the Scripture
-or-
by keeping in particular God’s command which says

Scripture: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Scripture is used in a special way in the New Testament. It refers to words that God directed someone to write. Such writings had authority because God guided a person to write them. In the New Testament the word Scripture almost always refers to something that was written in the Old Testament. Here it refers to the verse which follows, quoted from Leviticus 19:18.

Some other ways to translate Scripture are:

God’s written words
-or-
this word of God that someone/Moses wrote
-or-
God’s written command

2:8c

Love your neighbor as yourself: In Greek, the word Love is singular. The word neighbor is also singular. However, this command was intended for everyone. It was also intended to command us to love all our neighbors, not just one. In many languages, it will be more natural to use plurals here. For example:

Love(sing) your neighbors as yourself
-or-
Love^(plur) your neighbors as you^(plur) love yourselves
-or-
People should love their neighbors as they love themselves

This command also occurs in Matthew 19:19; Mark 12:31; Luke 10:27; and Romans 13:9. You should translate it here as you did in these other passages.

Love: In this context, Love refers to seeking the well-being of others. It does not refer to having warm feelings towards them. It also does not refer to romantic love.

Some other ways to translate this are:

Do what is best for
-or-
Act lovingly toward
-or-
Do good things that show you care for

neighbor: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as neighbor literally refers to someone who lives nearby. It also refers to someone of the same social group or someone who speaks the same language. It can also refer to anyone you interact with.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

person who is near you
-or-
fellow human being
-or-
people you interact with

General Comment on 2:8a–d

In some languages, it is more natural to change the order of 2:8a–d. For example:

^8bIn Scripture, ^8athe royal law is/says, ^8c“Love your neighbor as yourself.” ^8aIf you really keep this law, ^8dyou do well.
-or-
^8bThe Scripture says, ^8c“Love your neighbor as yourself.” ^8aThis is the royal law. If you keep this law, ^8dyou do well.

© 2012 by SIL International®

Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

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.

3:15a

Such wisdom: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Such wisdom refers to the false type of wisdom indicated by the pronoun “it” in 3:14c. James was critical of this type of wisdom. He did not think that it was really wisdom at all.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

That kind of wisdom (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
This so-called wisdom
-or-
The kind of wisdom that is like that
-or-
This is not the kind of wisdom that

does not come from above: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as does not come down from above means that this wisdom did not come from God. Those people who claimed to be wise and yet had bitterness in their hearts did not have the true wisdom that is from God.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

does not come from above (NET Bible)
-or-
does not come from God (New Century Version)

The phrase “is from above” also occurs in 1:17a.

General Comment on 3:15a

Some other ways to translate 3:15a are:

God is not the one who gives such wisdom.
-or-
God is not the one who makes people wise like that.

3:15b

but: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as but introduces a strong contrast. The contrast is between the place where this false wisdom (3:15a) does not come from and the place where this wisdom (3:15b–d) actually does come from.

This same conjunction occurs in 2:18a.

earthly: The Greek adjective that the Berean Standard Bible translates as earthly indicates that false wisdom comes from the earth. It comes from humans. This word contrasts with the word “above” in 3:15a.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

from the world (New Century Version)
-or-
it comes from this world (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
it comes from people here on the earth

3:15c

unspiritual: The Greek adjective that the Berean Standard Bible translates as unspiritual indicates that false wisdom comes from natural, human life. In other words, this type of wisdom comes from people who do not have the Spirit of God.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

It comes from the thoughts of human beings.
-or-
It does not come from the Holy Spirit.
-or-
It comes from people who do not have the Holy Spirit in them.

3:15d

demonic: The Greek adjective that the Berean Standard Bible translates as demonic is literally “of demons.” This indicates that false wisdom comes from demons. When people are guided by this kind of wisdom, they do the kind of wicked things that demons do.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

devilish (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
demonic (Good News Translation)
-or-
it is from the devil (New Century Version)
-or-
and comes from the devil himself (Contemporary English Version)

© 2012 by SIL International®

Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

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.

5:14a

Is any one of you sick?: This is a rhetorical question. James used this rhetorical question to begin talking about a particular situation. The situation is what to do when you are sick.

Some ways to translate this are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Are any among you sick? (Good News Translation)

• As a statement. For example:

Anyone who is sick (New Century Version)
-or-
Suppose one of you^(plur) is sick
-or-
Concerning people who are sick

• As a conditional clause. For example:

If you are sick (God’s Word)

• As a temporal clause. For example:

When you are sick

Is…sick: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Is…sick here refers to someone who is very ill. He is so ill that he is unable to go to the elders of the church to ask them to pray for him. He has to call them to come to him. (See Mitton, page 197; Martin, page 209; and Davids (1982), page 192.)

5:14b

He should call: The verb should call means “summon,” or “ask someone to come.” Some other ways to translate this verb are:

ask (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
tell
-or-
invite
-or-
request to come

the elders of the church: The phrase the elders of the church means “the leaders of the church.” These men are not necessarily the oldest men.

The word elders also occurs in Acts 14:23, 20:17; 1 Timothy 5:17; and Titus 1:5.

the church: The word the church means the particular assembly of Christians of which the sick person is a member. Some other ways to translate the church are:

the community/family of God’s people
-or-
those who gather to worship God

5:14c

to pray over him: This is the first command to the elders of the church. When a sick person calls them to come, they should go and pray for him.

Some other ways to translate pray over him are:

pray to God for him
-or-
They should pray for…the person (New Century Version)
-or-
They should come/go and pray for God to heal you

5:14d

and anoint him with oil: This is the second command to the elders of the church regarding a sick person.

In the time of James, it was common to treat a sick person by anointing him with oil. The oil was used as a medicine. It was also used symbolically.

Most commentators think that here the oil was used as a symbol of the healing power of God. It was poured or dripped onto the head of the person. Since the meaning is uncertain, it is recommended that you translate the phrase in a general way.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

put olive oil on you (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
and pour oil on the person (New Century Version)

The structure of the Greek in 5:14 shows that praying is the important part of the whole process. The action of anointing is less important. For example, the Revised Standard Version says:

let them pray over him, anointing him with oil

oil: The oil that people used was olive oil. It was the common oil of that country. You should use a term that refers to a common type of oil that people use for cooking or to put on their bodies. It should not be a term that refers to motor oil.

5:14e

in the name of the Lord: The phrase in the name of the Lord is connected to both the praying (in 5:14c) and the anointing (in 5:14d). The elders should both pray for and anoint the sick person in the name of the Lord. This means that they should pray and anoint with the authority that the Lord has given them. They should act on behalf of the Lord.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

with the Lord’s power
-or-
using the Lord’s authority

the Lord: The phrase the Lord refers to Jesus Christ. In the New Testament, healing was often done in the name of Jesus Christ. (For example, see Acts 3:6, 9:34.)

If you feel that it would be helpful to make clear that Lord refers to Jesus here, you could say:

the Lord Jesus Christ
-or-
Jesus, our Lord

© 2012 by SIL International®

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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.