Section 1:19–27

Believers should accept the word of God and obey it

In this section, James emphasized the importance of obeying the word of God. There are three paragraphs: 1:19–21, 1:22–25, and 1:26–27.

Some other possible headings for this section are:

Hearing and Doing the Word (English Standard Version)
-or-
Christians must listen to God’s message and obey it (UBS Handbook)

Paragraph 1:19–21

Believers should get rid of sin and obey the word of God.

1:19a

My beloved brothers: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as My beloved brothers refers to believers in Christ. It refers to both men and women. James loved these believers. This phrase also occurs in 1:16. See the note there for translation advice.

James used this phrase to introduce the subject of controlling one’s speech. He also used this phrase to soften his command (“understand this”) and to make it more polite. You may have another way in your language to introduce a change of subject or to soften a command. If you do, you may be able to use it instead of the phrase My beloved brothers.

understand this: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as understand this is literally “know” (as in the Revised Standard Version). (Instead of the verb “know,” some Greek manuscripts have the conjunction that the King James Version translates as “wherefore.” The reading “know” is strongly supported by a variety of manuscripts and the majority of English versions.) James was telling his readers to be attentive to what he was about to write.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

take note of this (New International Version (2011 Revision))
-or-
remember this (God’s Word)
-or-
do not forget

In some languages, it is not necessary to translate this word. For example the Contemporary English Version says:

aMy dear friends, byou should be quick to listen…

1:19b

Everyone should be quick to listen: The phrase quick to listen means:

ready to listen
-or-
eager to listen

In some languages, it may be more natural to use the second person plural “you” in giving a command like this. For example:

you should be quick to listen
-or-
always be willing to listen (New Century Version)

James was mainly referring to listening to “the word of truth” (1:18). But he stated his command in a general way. So if you need to provide an object for the verb listen in your language, use a general word like “talk” or “words.” For example:

Everyone should listen to others’ words/talk
-or-
Everyone should eagerly listen to what is said

1:19c

slow to speak: The phrase slow to speak means “take time to think carefully before speaking.”

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

Everyone should think before he speaks
-or-
you should not be quick to speak

This phrase does not refer to speaking slowly rather than quickly.

1:19d

slow to anger: The phrase slow to anger means “do not quickly/easily become angry.”

Some languages have an idiom to describe anger. An example of an idiom in English is:

No one should be hot-tempered
-or-
you should not be quick-tempered

© 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.

2:25

In 2:25, James gave a second example from the Old Testament of someone whom God declared to be righteous. This example is about a prostitute called Rahab. Her story is told in the book of Joshua in two parts: Joshua 2:1–24 and Joshua 6:22–25.

In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute justified by her actions when she welcomed the spies and sent them off on another route?: This is a rhetorical question. James used this rhetorical question to emphasize that Rahab was considered righteous for what she did.

Some ways to translate this emphasis are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

And similarly, was not Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by another way? (NET Bible)

• As a statement. For example:

Rahab the prostitute is another example. She was declared to be right with God by what she did when she hid those messengers and sent them safely away by a different road.

• As a statement and a question. For example:

Another example is the prostitute Rahab. She hid some messengers and then helped them escape by another road. She also was declared righteous for what she did, right?

Translate this emphasis in a way that is natural in your language. It is best to use wording that is similar to your translation of 2:21.

2:25a

In the same way: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as In the same way introduces another example that is like the example of Abraham.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

Likewise (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Similarly
-or-
Another example is (New Century Version)

even: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as even:

(1) It means also. God declared Abraham righteous. He also declared Rahab righteous. For example, the NET Bible says:

was not Rahab the prostitute also justified by works

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

(2) It means even. According to this interpretation, this word indicates something unexpected. Here it indicates that Rahab was an unlikely person to be an example of someone who was declared righteous. For example, the Contemporary English Version says:

Rahab had been a prostitute. But she pleased God…

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version (2011 Revision), Contemporary English Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) and the majority of versions.

In some languages, the translation of “in the same way” will include the idea of also. For example:

Rahab the prostitute is another example. (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))

If that is the case in your language, you will not need to translate this word explicitly.

the prostitute: A prostitute is a woman who has sex with men in exchange for money. In some cultures, the word referring to such a woman may be considered too vulgar or explicit to be read aloud in church. If that is true in your language, translate this word using a more general term. For example:

immoral woman
-or-
woman whose reputation was bad

2:25b

justified by her actions: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as justified by her actions also occurs in 2:21b. You should translate it the same way in both places. (Also, it is almost identical with the phrase in 2:24b.)

by her actions: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as by her actions here is literally “by works” (as in the Revised Standard Version). Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

because of what she did
-or-
because of her good deeds

This phrase also occurs in 2:21b.

2:25c

when she welcomed: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as welcomed means “received someone” or “welcomed someone into one’s house.” In this context, it also means “provided a place to stay and hide from the people who wanted to kill them.”

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

when she hid those messengers (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
-or-
She welcomed the spies into her home (New Century Version)
-or-
when she gave shelter to those messengers and hid them

the spies: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as spies is literally “messengers” (as in the Revised Standard Version). In this context, it refers to men who were secretly looking at a town they hoped to conquer. Then they returned to report back to their commander.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

Israelites who secretly came to investigate her town
-or-
Jewish men sent to secretly inspect her town to see the best way to attack it

2:25d

sent them off on another route: In Joshua 2:15–16, Rahab helped the spies escape by:

(a) hanging a rope out of her window that they used to descend outside the city wall.

(b) counseling them to go into the hills and hide for three days before they returned home.

The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as route can refer to a “road” or more figuratively a “way.” A number of English versions translate this word as “road”. (See the Good News Translation, New Living Translation (2004 Revision), for example.) However, in this context it more likely refers to letting the spies out of the window by a rope. Or, this word may refer to both escaping out of the window and then hiding in the hills.

If you have a word or phrase that can refer to both escaping out of the window and going into the hills, you could use it here. Otherwise be sure that your translation can refer to the spies going out of the window.

Some ways to translate this clause are:

sent them out by another way (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
showed them a different way to leave (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
helped them to escape by getting out of the city in/by an unusual/secret way

Some people are not familiar with this Old Testament story. So you may have to make some of the information explicit. For example:

Then she sent them home a different way so that their enemies would not find them.

General Comment on 2:25a–d

In some languages, it may be clearer to say what Rahab did before saying that God considered her righteous because of it. For example:

^25aAnother example is Rahab the prostitute. ^25cWhen Israelite spies came to her town, she welcomed them. ^25dAnd she advised them to depart another way. ^25bIt was because of what she did at that time that God considered her also to be a righteous person.

© 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.

4:15a

Instead, you ought to say: The clause Instead, you ought to say means “Rather than saying today or tomorrow we will do this and that, you ought to saywhat follows.” Some English versions do not use the word Instead. They use another construction to indicate the contrast between this verse and 4:13.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

What you should say is this: (Good News Translation)
-or-
Instead of saying that, here is what you should say
-or-
Rather than talking about your plans, what you should say is this:

4:15b

If the Lord is willing: The clause If the Lord is willing means “If the Lord wants us to live and do these things.” Some other ways to translate this clause are:

If the Lord wants
-or-
If the Lord desires it
-or-
If the Lord agrees
-or-
If the Lord God likes

the Lord: The phrase the Lord refers to God. It means “Master”, the One who has supreme authority over everyone and everything. See the note at 4:10a.

4:15c

we will live: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as we will live means “we shall continue to live.” For example:

we shall still be alive (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

In some languages, it may be necessary to add a word to indicate that this verb begins the second part of an “if” clause. For example:

then we will live (NET Bible)

4:15d

and do this or that: The Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as this or that refers to the particular event that the traders planned to do. (See Davids (1982), page 173; Hiebert, page 278. Most commentators do not discuss this point.) They planned to do business and make money.

Some other ways to translate this expression are:

We will do these things. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
carry out our plans (God’s Word)
-or-
do so-and-so (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

James was saying that people should continue to make definite plans but should make them subject to the condition: “If it is the Lord’s will.”

General Comment on 4:15b–d

In some languages, it will be necessary to include parts of 4:15c–d in the “If” clause of 4:15c. For example:

bIf the Lord wants us cto live dand do this or that, it will happen.
-or-
If the Lord wants us to live, we will live. If he wants us to do this or that, we will do 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.

2:4a–b

have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?: This is a rhetorical question. James was not asking for information but making an emphatic statement: “You certainly have discriminated.” He was also implying that they had done some things wrong, and he was rebuking them for it.

Some ways to translate this emphasis and rebuke are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

do you not see that you are discriminating among your members and judging by wrong standards? (Revised English Bible)
-or-
You have discriminated among yourselves. You have become judges with evil thoughts. Why have you done that?

• As a statement. For example:

You have certainly done wrong by discriminating among yourselves and becoming judges with evil thoughts.
-or-
That is the same as saying that some people are better than others, and you would be acting like a crooked judge. (Contemporary English Version)

Translate this emphasis and rebuke in the way that is natural in your language for making a strong statement.

2:4a

have you not discriminated among yourselves: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as you…discriminated among yourselves means “you think that some people are better than others, and so you treat them better.” By treating the rich and the poor differently, they were creating distinctions within the fellowship of God’s people. The meaning is essentially the same as “show favoritism” in 2:1.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

have you not made distinctions among yourselves (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
You are making some people more important than others (New Century Version)
-or-
You are treating some members of your congregation as if they were better than others
-or-
That is the same as saying that some people are better than others (Contemporary English Version)

2:4b

and become judges with evil thoughts: This is a metaphor. When people in the Christian community discriminated and favored the rich over the poor, they were acting like evil judges. Some ways that these Christian people and judges with evil thoughts are similar are:

(a) both make decisions about who is good/right and who is evil/wrong.

(b) both prefer the rich. They unjustly make decisions that favor the rich.

When Christians act this way, they become like judges who have evil thoughts.

Some ways to translate this metaphor are:

• Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:

and you would be acting like a crooked judge (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
you have become like evil judges who mistreat good people

• Keep the metaphor as in the Berean Standard Bible. In some languages, it may be necessary to translate the noun “judge” as a verb. For example:

you have become people who have evil thoughts and who judge the rich man better than the poor man

• Translate the meaning without the metaphor. For example:

You think that you can decide who is worthy of honor. That is a wrong way of thinking.
-or-
you favor the rich because of what you hope to receive from them. That is an evil way of thinking.

This phrase does not mean that these Christians had become judges who sit in a court.

with evil thoughts: The phrase with evil thoughts means evil in their way of thinking. It includes the idea that these people judge with an evil standard. This means that they make decisions based on someone’s wealth and social status. It also means that they decide with evil motives. (Some commentators (Moo (2000), page 105; Martin, page 64; McCartney, pages 140 and 144) point out that in a legal context, it is also possible to interpret this as “evil verdicts.”) They make decisions based on what they can get, such as a bribe.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

with evil motives (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
using a corrupt standard (God’s Word)
-or-
evil/corrupt judges

© 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.

3:11–12

In 3:11–12, James supported his teaching with illustrations from nature. He showed how inconsistent it is for the same mouth to speak both good and bad words.

3:11

Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?: In Greek, this sentence is more literally, “Does a spring pour out both fresh and bitter water from the same hole?” Notice that the Berean Standard Bible has combined the words “spring” and “hole” into one expression.

This is a rhetorical question. James used this rhetorical question to emphasize that a spring certainly does not give two types of water from the same hole.

Some ways to translate this emphasis are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Can clean water and dirty water both flow from the same spring? (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
A spring does not pour out fresh water and bitter water from the same opening, does it? (NET Bible)
-or-
Fresh water and salt water cannot both flow from the same spring, right?

• As a statement. For example:

No spring of water pours out sweet water and bitter water from the same opening. (Good News Translation)
-or-
Obviously good and bad water do not both flow from the same spring.

Translate this sentence in a way that is natural in your language for emphasizing well-known facts.

fresh water: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as fresh water describes water that tastes good. Some other ways to translate this word are:

good water
-or-
drinking water
-or-
clean water

Some English versions (Good News Translation, King James Version) translate this word as “sweet water.” But this does not mean that the water has been sweetened. It is an expression that means that the water is good to drink.

salt water: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as salt water describes water that tastes foul or bitter. It is water that is not good to drink.

This Greek word does not literally mean salt. Some English versions translate it as salt water:

(a) to contrast it with fresh water,

(b) because the word “salt” occurs in 3:12c where is it contrasted with fresh water, and

(c) because salt water is an example of water that is not good to drink.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

dirty/bad water
-or-
polluted water (God’s Word)
-or-
bitter water
-or-
brackish water (Revised English Bible)

spring: A spring is a source of water where the water flows out from a hole in the ground or rock. Some other ways to translate this word are:

water source
-or-
place where water springs/pours out
-or-
place in the ground where water comes/gushes out

In languages where springs are not known, the word spring can be translated as “a water 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.

Paragraph 5:10–11

James knew that some of his readers were suffering badly. He encouraged them to be patient like the prophets were. This is the second example of patience.

5:10a

Brothers: The word Brothers also occurs in 5:7a and 5:9a.

5:10b

as an example of patience in affliction, take the prophets: James told his readers to remember the prophets of Old Testament days who endured suffering and were patient. His readers should follow the examples of these men. In other words, they should imitate their behavior.

Some other ways to translate this are:

let us imitate the prophets. They were patient when they suffered.
-or-
follow the example of the prophets…. They suffered many hard things, but they were patient. (New Century Version)
-or-
The prophets who patiently endured suffering long ago are a good example for you^(plur) to follow.

patience in affliction: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as patience in affliction is literally “suffering and patience” (as in the Revised Standard Version). Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

They were patient, even when they had to suffer. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
They suffered many hard things, but they were patient. (New Century Version)

patience: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as patience is related to the verb “be patient” in 5:7a,e and 5:8a. Use a word or expression that corresponds to what you used in those verses.

affliction: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as affliction here refers to suffering physical pain caused by others treating them badly. Some other ways to translate this word are:

hardship
-or-
persecution

take the prophets: The phrase take the prophets here means “think about the prophets” or “remember the prophets.” For example:

remember the prophets…. Take them as examples (Good News Translation)
-or-
follow the example of the prophets (New Century Version)

prophets: The word prophets refers to men who spoke on behalf of God. They told people what God revealed to them. God gave some prophets power to work miracles. These miracles helped people realize that God had sent the prophet.

Many prophets were persecuted and even killed, but they remained faithful to God despite their suffering.

Some ways to translate prophets are:

spokesmen for God
-or-
men who speak God’s words
-or-
God’s message-speakers

It is good to use a general term that does not focus only on foretelling the future. Although prophets did foretell the future, they also gave people other messages from God. They especially told them to stop sinning and to obey God.

When choosing a term for prophet, consider how you will distinguish prophet from other words which are similar in meaning such as “angel,” “apostle,” and “preacher.”

5:10c

who spoke in the name of the Lord: The phrase who spoke in the name of the Lord indicates that the prophets spoke with the Lord’s authority. They represented God. James was probably implying that this was the reason for the prophets’ suffering.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

who spoke in the name of the Lord (God’s Word)
-or-
who spoke what God made known to them
-or-
who spoke on behalf of the Lord
-or-
who spoke by the authority of the Lord

the Lord: Here the Lord refers to God, the one with supreme authority. Another way to translate this word is:

the Lord God

This word also occurs in 3:9a.

General Comment on 5:10a–c

In some languages, it may be helpful to change the order of the clauses in this verse. For example:

^10aBrothers, ^10bthink about the prophets. ^10cThey spoke in the name of the Lord, ^10band they were patient when they suffered because of it.
-or-
^10aMy fellow believers! ^10bRemember the prophets ^10cwho brought the Word of the Lord. ^10bThey were patient and withstood suffering. We should follow their example.

© 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 1:9–11

Even if a Christian has a low position in society, he can rejoice. He can rejoice because, in God’s opinion, he is in a high position. Similarly, a Christian who is rich should have God’s opinion about himself. Although rich people are generally given high status because of their riches, rich Christians should rather value a low position and humble attitude. They should remember that our lives on earth are short and that riches will not last.

The theme of section 1:2–11 is that Christians should continue to trust God/Jesus when they have various kinds of tests/trials. Poverty is a kind of trial. It is also the result of the trial of being persecuted. Riches too may be a kind of test of faith. They test whether the Christian will trust God or his money. And for rich Christians who had lost wealth and status because of their faith in Christ, they should think of this in a positive way.

1:9a

The brother: The word brother refers to any believer, whether male or female. Notice that although James used a singular noun, he was not referring to one person in particular. He was referring to poor believers in general. Consider whether it is more natural to use a singular or plural term here in your language.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

the believer (NET Bible)
-or-
fellow believers
-or-
Any of God’s people (Contemporary English Version)

The plural form of this same word occurs in 1:2a.

in humble circumstances: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as in humble circumstances literally means “lowly” (as in the Revised Standard Version). It refers to someone who is in a low position in society and whom others consider to be unimportant. It includes the idea of such a person being poor. So the person in humble circumstances is contrasted to “the one who is rich” in 1:10a.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

who are poor (Good News Translation)
-or-
who is unimportant
-or-
who has a low status

1:9b

should exult: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as should exult usually means “boast.” In other words, it usually refers to talking about something that you are proud of. It can have either a positive or negative meaning.

Here it is clearly positive, and it refers to a way of thinking. Lowly, poor believers should “think very well of” or “highly value” their high position. This is because God thinks of them very highly and will reward them in the future.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

be glad (Good News Translation)
-or-
think well/highly of
-or-
highly value
-or-
rejoice (King James Version)

in his high position: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as in his high position refers to his spiritual status as a Christian. Although other people may not consider a poor believer important, he is still important to God. This is what should give him pride and pleasure.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

that he is important to God
-or-
in his high status as a Christian
-or-
for God has honored them (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))

© 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.