“My brethren ...” James starts his practical exhortations by addressing his readers with that loving expression, “My brethren.” This demonstrates, on his part, great humility and wisdom. When one seeks to exhort the people of God, some may read into him the attitude, “I think I am better than you.” But, by using the expression, “My brethren,” he puts himself on a common level with others. This is needful for one seeking to exhort.

The term “brethren” in the Epistles: James addresses his readers as “brethren” fifteen times in his letter. We find this term, or its singular form “brother,” all through the epistles. In 1 John we have it fourteen times. It is well to remember that every true Christian is a child of God and either a brother or sister. It is nice to own and treat them as such.

Not “brethren” according to the flesh: A few have thought that James was thinking primarily of his brethren according to the flesh when he uses the expression “brethren.” But, he is thinking of them as “brethren” in Christ, although he does not seem to differentiate between the truly saved and those who were mere professors. He calls them all “brethren” upon the ground of their faith in and obedience to Christ, although some were not acting like Christians.

Not two bodies: Some made a difference between Jewish and Gentile Christians. Certainly there is not now, nor ever was, two bodies of Christians, one Jewish – one Gentile. The early Jewish Christians at first would not go to the Gentiles, and we see with what difficulty the Lord persuaded Peter to go to the house of Cornelius in Acts 10. In Galatians 3:28, we read of both Jew and Greek, “ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” In Ephesians 2:14, Paul, speaking of the Jew and Gentile says, “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us.” The next verse says, “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity.” So, it was at the cross that the middle wall of partition was broken down.

Brotherhood of man: Today much is said about the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. While it is true that by creation we are all related, and we all originally came from the hand of God, yet nowhere in the Word of God do we read of God being the Father of any but those who believe in Him and obey His commandments. Only rarely do we read of God as Father in the Hebrew Bible [Old Testament] (Mal. 1:6, etc.). Only as Christ is speaking to His disciples does He use the term in the Gospels, although He does at times say, “My Father,” in the presence of unbelievers (John 5:17). Nowhere in the Word of God do we read that we are to consider everyone in the world as “brethren.”

Spiritual ties stronger than natural: Of course, there is a family brotherhood, and this is a strong tie. But even brothers and sisters in the flesh should not be as close as spiritual ties in Christ. In speaking of family ties, it is said, “Blood is thicker than water.” A Christian should remember that he is united to every other Christian by a richer, purer blood than that of father or mother. The blood that unites us is the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. If earthly ties are stronger than heavenly ones, then our hearts are not right with God.

“...temptations ...” Temptations are of two kinds in the Scriptures. In some places they refer to trials, difficulties, hardships, and sometimes to temptations to do evil. In verses 2-4 and also 12 of our chapter, they refer to trials; in verses 13 and 14, they speak of temptation to sin. When the Lord taught His disciples to pray, “... Lead us not into temptation,” He was referring to trials. God sends trials for various reasons, but it is the devil and one’s own flesh that tempts to sin.

Trials not a mark of God’s disfavor: A Jew in Old Testament times thought it a mark of God’s favor when he was prosperous and otherwise blessed. Now evidently these Jewish Christians were suffering trial, and perhaps they thought they had in some way deserved God’s displeasure. The first words of James are to assure them that this is not so. That rather, these trials were to be expected and a cause of rejoicing. Sometimes the Lord sends trials as chastisement, but often they are to test one’s faith and to purify and strengthen. It is no sure evidence of God’s displeasure when a Christian suffers. Sometimes the best go through some trying experiences.

The Lord tries all: Most of the Old Testament saints were severely tried. Some failed under the trials, while others did not. Adam and Eve were tried in the Garden of Eden and failed. Their temptation, by Satan, was to sin. Christ was tempted by Satan, too, but we rejoice in that He did not fail. Abraham was tried, in that the Lord requested that he offer up Isaac as a burnt offering. Joseph was tried in the prison in Egypt. Job was tried perhaps more severely than any other Old Testament saint. It would seem that, to some degree, the Lord puts all His children to the test.

Other writers speak of suffering trial: James is not the only one who spoke of suffering trial. The Lord Jesus spoke of it, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Paul spoke of it in almost every one of his epistles (Rom. 8:17, 18; 2 Cor. 12:9, 10, etc.) In 1 Peter 4:12 we read, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.” Many early Christians suffered intense persecution because of their faith.

“... divers temptations.” The word, “divers,” indicates that these Christians suffered a variety of trials. It is exactly the same as where Peter spoke of “manifold temptations” (1 Pet. 1:6). In James 5:14 we read, “Is any sick among you?” No doubt, some were afflicted in this way. Then some may have been suffering bereavement, loss of home, or business, or other disappointments. Even so, many suffer a great variety of trials today.

“... Fall into divers temptations.” Sometimes Christians get into trouble because of their own sin and folly. Of course, these are not included in trials which we are to “count all joy.” Only those that, as our verse says, we fall into can we so count. Only those trials that come from the outside over which we have no control can we feel come from the Lord for our profit.

“... count it all joy ...” It is unnatural and difficult to be happy in a time of deep trial. We usually are the opposite – discouraged, disconsolate, and faint hearted. However, if we could look beyond the present, and see the end of the trial as well as the purpose thereof, we would be happy under it. We are not only to count trials “joy,” but “all joy.” Count each trial that may come our way a matter of fresh joy. Remember, that “all things (even trials) work together for good to them that love God” (Rom. 8:28).

Joy under trial brings glory to God: It is a great testimony for the Lord when a Christian can demonstrate joy in the midst of trial. The world will sit up and take notice, and some have been led to Christ through this. William Harrison wrote: “Recently, while visiting in the hospital, I overheard a Christian patient say, ‘The nurses here are all so nice and wonderful.’ A nurse standing by said, ‘It is easy to be nice when the patient is kind and happy.’ I have seen some who have had to stop talking because of intense pain, come up from it with a big smile. At times I have meant to be a comfort to the sick, only to have them be a blessing to me instead.” This was because the joy of the Lord was in their hearts. This brings great glory to the Lord and will bring great reward to the tried.

Grumbling: “... all joy ...” means: (1) no regret, (2) no sorrow, (3) no grumbling, (4) no discouragement. The Lord dislikes a grumbler. How disgusted He was with the children of Israel, as they journeyed from Egypt to Canaan. They complained of almost everything. They spoke against God and Moses saying, “Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in this wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died” (Num. 21:5, 6).

Discouragement: The Lord cannot use a man while he is discouraged. Such will always give up and fail. If trials or persecutions come, let us not, like Elijah before Jezebel, flee into the wilderness and ask the Lord to let us die. Let us stand up boldly and fight the good fight of faith. Let us ask the Lord to give us: fresh strength, fresh courage, and fresh joy in Him. Then we can be a blessing again. “... joy ...” The whole world is looking for joy, but most do not know that it is found only in Christ. It is not unusual to hear, “I don’t want to be sad.” Dr. James E. Priest gave the following personal illustration: “A young soldier, during a gospel meeting said, ‘You don't drink, you don't smoke, you don't gamble, or go to bad movies, or dance. What fun do you have?’ I tried to tell him about the joy of Christianity, but he did not understand it. While the world may not be able to understand our joy, they should be able to see it. But, all too often they cannot, because too many Christians do not show joy.”

Joy in His presence: Look up the following references on joy: John 15:11; Psalms 126:5, 6; Acts 5:41; 1 Peter 1:8; Matthew 5:10-12; 2 Corinthians 12:9, 10; 1 Peter 4:12-14; Psalm 16:11. Notice especially, “In thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16:11). This is most often applied to the time when we will be at home in heaven, but it is equally true of the present. As we experience the presence of the Lord even now, we are filled with joy unspeakable. This is why often those in deep affliction are happy. It is just at such a time that the Lord makes His presence especially felt.

The Lord commands us to rejoice: Paul has much to say about joy in the book of Philippians. Notice especially, “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice” (Phil. 4:4). This is put in the command form. Not to be happy in the Lord is to be positively disobedient to His Word. It does not say “Rejoice in the Lord sometimes,” but, “Rejoice in the Lord alway.” Under all circumstances, at all times, rejoice. An unhappy Christian is disobedient.

Paul and Silas rejoiced under great trial: Paul not only exhorted Christians to, “rejoice in the Lord alway,” but he did it himself. We have an example of this in Acts 16. He and Silas were in jail at Philippi. They had been beaten, their clothes rent. They were down in an inner cell of a dirty prison, their feet made fast in the stocks. Ah, Paul, are you going to grumble and complain? “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God” (Acts 16:25). Paul practiced what he preached, and God honored it by delivering them from the prison and saving the Philippian jailer. This may have been the start of the Philippian church. If not, this jailer may have been in fellowship in the Philippian congregation. When they read in Paul's Philippian letter, “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice,” he would be able to say, “Paul did just that, the night I heard the Gospel of Christ down in the jail.”

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