Joy in Trials

The recipients faced poverty and pressure.

Overview

Count it joy when trials come, because they produce patience. Ask God for wisdom in faith. Every good gift comes from the Father of lights.

Going deeper

Trials (peirasmos) test faith; temptation to sin does not come from God (v13). God gives generously without reproach.

Key verses (KJV)

James 1:2 Count it all joy.
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God.
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above.

From the commentaries

2. My brethren—a phrase often found in James, marking community of nation and of faith. all joy—cause for the highest joy [Grotius]. Nothing but joy [Piscator]. Count all "divers temptations" to be each matter of joy [Bengel]. fall into—unexpectedly, so as to be encompassed by them (so the original Greek). temptations—not in the limited sense of allurements to sin, but trials or distresses of any kind which test and purify the Christian character. Compare "tempt," that is, try, Ge 22:1. Some of those to whom James writes were "sick," or otherwise "afflicted" (Jas 5:13). Every possible trial to the child of God is a masterpiece of strategy of the Captain of his salvation for his good.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown, Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory (1871)

Verse 2 Count it all joy - The word πειρασμος, which we translate temptation, signifies affliction, persecution, or trial of any kind; and in this sense it is used here, not intending diabolic suggestion, or what is generally understood by the word temptation.
Adam Clarke, Adam Clarke's Commentary (1810-1826)

2 All joy. The first exhortation is, to bear trials with a cheerful mind. And it was especially necessary at that time to comfort the Jews, almost overwhelmed as they were with troubles. For the very name of the nation was so infamous, that they were hated and despised by all people wherever they went; and their condition as Christians rendered them still more miserable, because they held their own nation as their most inveterate enemies. At the same time, this consolation was not so suited to one time, but that it is always useful to believers, whose life is a constant warfare on earth. But that we may know more fully what he means, we must doubtless take temptations or trials as including
John Calvin, John Calvin's Commentaries (16th century, Calvin Translation Society, 1840s-1850s)

Verse 2. My brethren. Not brethren as Jews, but as Christians. Compare Jas 2:1. Count it all joy. Regard it as a thing to rejoice in; a matter which should afford you happiness. You are not to consider it as a punishment, a curse, or a calamity, but as a fit subject of felicitation. See Barnes on "Mt 5:12". When ye fall into divers temptations. On the meaning of the word temptations, see Barnes on "Mt 4:1". It is now commonly used in the sense of placing allurements before others to induce them to sin, and in this sense the word seems to be used in Jas 1:13-14. Here, however, the word is used in the sense of trials, to wit, by persecution, poverty, calamity of any kind. ...
Albert Barnes, Barnes' Notes on the New Testament (1834-1885)

Application

How can a trial become a source of joy?
Where do you need wisdom?
Thank God for one good gift.

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