James 1:10
in James 1But the one who is rich should exult in his low position, because he will pass away like a flower of the field.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
and the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
KJV
But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
⋯
This verse in James 1
Commentary
13 notes on this verseFor like the flower of the grass, he will pass away. The flower of the grass delights both the sense of smell and sight, but swiftly loses the grace of its charm and sweetness. Therefore, the present happiness of the wicked is most rightly compared …
This site's exposition
The brother in humble circumstances
on James 1:9-11
The brother in humble circumstances should exult in his high position, and the rich in his low position. The rich man will pass away like a flower of the field, Isaiah's figure for human glory in Isaiah 40:6-8, and fade away.
This site's exposition
should exult in his low position
Gill holds that the wealthy man here is a brother in the church, and Jamieson, Fausset and Brown agree. They also report Alford's view, which makes him an outsider whose low position is his wealth itself. Either way, that wealth will pass away like a flower.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers2 voices
But the rich, in that he is made humble: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. "But the rich, in that he is made humble." It would have been more fitting for James to say, "But let the rich man be …
A commentator
Hilary of ArlesINTRODUCTORY TRACTATE ON THE LETTER OF JAMES · Written before 449.
proposed
Scripture says that "whoever exalts himself will be humbled." Wealth is a rich man's flower, but the elements of the universe are out to snatch it away from him. James says very little about the humble man, but it is enough, for he will receive …
The Medieval Church1 voice
But the rich man in his humility. It is understood from the previous verse to boast. It is clear that this is said with sarcasm, which in Greek is called irony. Thus, he says, the rich man must remember that his glory, in which he …
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
But the rich, in that he is made low,.... That is, the rich brother; for there were rich men in the churches in those times, and which James often takes notice of in this epistle.
Those of low degree are to be looked upon as brethren: Let the brother of low degree, &c. Poverty does not destroy the relation among Christians. Good Christians may be rich in the world,
5 more voices on this verse
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
But those sins which bring sufferings, or the weakness and faults men are chargeable with under them, are by no means to be imputed to God, who cannot be the author of sin, but is the author of all good,
If we do not rejoice in him always, it is our own fault. Those of low degree may rejoice, if they are exalted to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom of God (as Dr. Whitby explains this place); and the rich may rejoice in humbling providences, as they produce a lowly and humble disposition of mind, which is highly valuable in the sight of God.
The Nineteenth Century3 voices
But the rich, in that he is made low - Εν τῃ ταπεινωσει· In his humiliation - in his being brought to the foot of the cross to receive, as a poor and miserable sinner, redemption through the blood of the cross: and especially let him rejoice in this, because all outward glory is only as the flower of the field, and, like that, will wither and perish.
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
This view meets all ALFORD'S objections to regarding "the rich" here as a "brother" at all. To avoid making the rich a brother, he translates, "But the rich glories in his humiliation," namely, in that which is really his debasement (his rich state, Php 3:19), just as the low is told to rejoice in what is really his exaltation (his lowly state).
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
But the rich, in that he is made low - That is, because his property is taken away, and he is made poor. Such a transition is often the source of the deepest sorrow; but the apostle says that even in that a Christian may find occasion for thanksgiving. The reasons for rejoicing in this manner, which the apostle seems to have had in view, were these: (1) Because it furnished a test of the reality of religion, by showing that it is adapted to sustain the soul in this great trial; that it can not only bear prosperity, but that it can bear the rapid transition from that state to one of poverty; and, (2) Because it would furnish to the mind an impressive and salutary illustration of the fact that all earthly glory is soon to fade away. I may remark here, that the transition from affluence to poverty is often borne by Christians with the manifestation of a most lovely spirit, and with an entire freedom from murmuring and complaining. Indeed, there are more Christians who could safely bear a transition from affluence to poverty, from prosperity to adversity, than there are who could bear a sudden transition from poverty to affluence. Some of the loveliest exhibitions of piety which I have ever witnessed have been in such transitions; nor have I seen occasion anywhere to love religion more than in the ease, and grace, and cheerfulness, with which it has enabled those accustomed long to more elevated walks, to descend to the comparatively humble lot where God places them. […]
The words behind it
12 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ὁ | ho | he who [is] | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| δὲ | de | then | G1161 → | 2765 times |
| πλούσιος | plousios | rich | G4145 → | 28 times |
| ἐν | en | in | G1722 → | 2738 times |
| τῇ | tea | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| ταπεινώσει | tapeinosei | humiliation | G5014 → | |
| αὐτοῦ | autou | of him | G846 → | 5565 times |
| ὅτι | hoti | because | G3754 → | 1292 times |
| ὡς | hos | like | G5613 → | 500 times |
| ἄνθος | anthos | a flower | G438 → | |
| χόρτου | chortou | of grass | G5528 → | |
| παρελεύσεται. | pareleusetai | he will pass away. | G3928 → |
ὁhe who [is]
hoG3588 →19766 times
δὲthen
deG1161 →2765 times
πλούσιοςrich
plousiosG4145 →28 times
ἐνin
enG1722 →2738 times
τῇthe
teaG3588 →19766 times
ταπεινώσειhumiliation
tapeinoseiG5014 →
αὐτοῦof him
autouG846 →5565 times
ὅτιbecause
hotiG3754 →1292 times
ὡςlike
hosG5613 →500 times
ἄνθοςa flower
anthosG438 →
χόρτουof grass
chortouG5528 →
παρελεύσεται.he will pass away.
pareleusetaiG3928 →
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Matthew 5:3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
it leads to
- Isaiah 66:2
Has not My hand made all these things? And so they came into being,” declares the LORD. “This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles…
- Proverbs 29:23
A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.
- Psalms 34:18
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit.
- Proverbs 16:19
It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud.
- Luke 18:14
I tell you, this man, rather than the Pharisee, went home justified. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
- Isaiah 66:2
Through
1 Peter 1:24For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,
it leads to
- Isaiah 40:6–8
A voice says, “Cry out!” And I asked, “What should I cry out?” “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Isaiah 40:6–8
Through
1 John 2:17The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.
it leads to
- Matthew 24:35
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.
- Matthew 24:35
Through
Job 14:2Like a flower, he comes forth, then withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure.
it leads to
- 1 Peter 1:24
For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,
- 1 Peter 1:24
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies17
On this verse
On this chapter
About James
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Bede, Commentary on the Catholic Epistles; Hilary of Arles, INTRODUCTORY TRACTATE ON THE LETTER OF JAMES; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible and Oecumenius, Commentary on James.