James 1:1-11
So now we have finished our first epistle, Galatians, and moved on to James. James has long been one of my favorite epistles. It has a special history for me (and Carol). On the day that I fell in love with Carol (40 years ago this coming June 1) we had about an hour drive back to our homes and during that drive Carol read the book of James out loud while I drove. I can’t remember why, but it’s a really sweet memory!
James has a lot to say about poverty and riches; I’m sure it’s the egalitarian economist in me that hearkens to James’ words. We see it already today in this first chapter, verses 9-11. And we’ll see it again – and again!
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect… (vv. 2-4) The three translations that I read every day had three different translations for “steadfastness”: “patience” (NKJV), “endurance” (NASB), “steadfastness” (ESV). And each of those words seems to have a different sense about them. To me, “patience” carries a negative context. Seldom do I hear positively of someone being patient; more often I hear of impatience! And if someone is referred to as patient, it is often associated with that person’s difficulties with another person. So yes, a negative context. “Endurance”, however, seems positive to me. There are difficulties, but someone endures. Awesome! Endurance reflects strength! A mighty man! (Or woman!) And to me it’s also associated with difficult events, not difficult people when we speak of endurance. Finally, to me “steadfastness” also carries a positive context. Someone who is steadfast is constant, consistent, faithful, responsible. Steadfastness seems out of context for someone meeting trials and having their faith tested. So my bottom line – I like “endurance” in the translation: Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result… (vv. 2-4, NASB)
So we’re in James for the next ten days. Enjoy it with me!!
Slava Bohu!
Enjoyed the descriptions of your reactions to the three different translations—I agree with you. They certainly bring forth differing reactions in me too.
I don’t usually read more then one version of the daily reading; seems I am missing out by not doing so.
James is my favorite epistle, too. He is pretty straightforward and practical.
I wondered about “the twelve tribes” in the Dispersion. Since James is writing to Jewish believers, I assume that he means the original 12. Ten were lost some 400 years before in the Babylonian captivity. Now the rest in the Roman destruction. This epistle seems to be written to Jews, both believers and nonbelievers.
“Asking in faith”, according to my Bible notes, is asking that God will align our desires with His, as well as asking in confidence.
Regarding the 10 lost tribes, make that 800 years before in the Assyrian captivity…