Jam 1:2-11 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Jas 1:2-4: 1:2-4 Enduring troubles and temptations is a recurring theme (1:12-15 ; 5:7-12 ). Failure to endure is “wandering from the truth” that requires being “saved from death” (5:19-20 ). 1:2 Dear brothers and sisters: See study note on 2:1. • James uses a wordplay: joy (Greek chara ) here is related to greetings in 1:1 .

Summary for Jas 1:2-4: 1:2-4 ^a Enduring troubles and temptations is a recurring theme (1:12-15 ^b; 5:7-12 ^c). Failure to endure is “wandering from the truth” that requires being “saved from death” (5:19-20 ^d). 1:2 ^e Dear brothers and sisters: See study note on 2:1.

• James uses a wordplay: joy (Greek chara) here is related to greetings in 1:1 ^f.
Summary for Jas 1:5-8: 1:5-8 ^g James introduces wisdom as a recurring theme (cp. 3:13-18 ^h).
1:6 ⁱ Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty: The Greek is often translated “Do not doubt, for a person who doubts,” but the sense here is of a person whose loyalty is divided between God and the world (see 1:8 ^j).
1:8 ^k Their loyalty is divided between God and the world (literally They are double-minded): James might have created the Greek word used here. He emphasizes the need for confidence in God alone.
Summary for Jas 1:9-11: 1:9-11 ^l Poverty and wealth are a recurring theme (cp. ch 2 ^m; 4:13–5:11 ⁿ). James does not promise material wealth to the righteous poor but announces a future reversal in heaven. 1:9 ^o something to boast about: In the New Testament, boasting is usually viewed negatively (3:14 ^p; 4:16 ^q; Eph 2:9 ^r), but here it means boasting about what God has done (Jas 2:5 ^s; Rom 15:18 ^t; 1 Cor 1:31 ^u; Gal 6:14 ^v).
1:10 ^w those who are rich should boast: With irony, James is describing the dreadful fate of the ungodly rich who elevate themselves by oppressing poor and vulnerable people (see 2:6-8 ^x; 5:1-6 ^y).