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Trials and Temptations

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds,(A) because you know that the testing of your faith(B) produces perseverance.(C) Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature(D) and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God,(E) who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.(F) But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt,(G) because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded(H) and unstable(I) in all they do.

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Footnotes

  1. James 1:2 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in verses 16 and 19; and in 2:1, 5, 14; 3:10, 12; 4:11; 5:7, 9, 10, 12, 19.

Testing of Your Faith

(A)Count it all joy, my brothers,[a] when you meet trials (B)of various kinds, for you know that (C)the testing of your faith (D)produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be (E)perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

(F)If any of you lacks wisdom, (G)let him ask God, (H)who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But (I)let him ask in faith, (J)with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like (K)a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; (L)he is a double-minded man, (M)unstable in all his ways.

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Footnotes

  1. James 1:2 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters; also verses 16, 19

(A)Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter (B)various [a]trials, knowing that (C)the testing of your (D)faith produces [b](E)endurance. And let [c](F)endurance have its perfect [d]result, so that you may be [e](G)perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

But if any of you (H)lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and [f]without reproach, and (I)it will be given to him. But he must (J)ask in faith (K)without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, (L)driven and tossed by the wind. For that person ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a (M)[g]double-minded man, (N)unstable in all his ways.

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Footnotes

  1. James 1:2 Or temptations
  2. James 1:3 Or steadfastness
  3. James 1:4 Or steadfastness
  4. James 1:4 Lit work
  5. James 1:4 Or mature
  6. James 1:5 Lit does not reproach
  7. James 1:8 I.e., a chronic doubter

Profiting from Trials

My brethren, (A)count it all joy (B)when you fall into various trials, (C)knowing that the testing of your faith produces [a]patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be [b]perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (D)If any of you lacks wisdom, (E)let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and (F)it will be given to him. (G)But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is (H)a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

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Footnotes

  1. James 1:3 endurance or perseverance
  2. James 1:4 mature

Faith Under Pressure

2-4 Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

5-8 If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.

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