James 1:12, REV Bible and Commentary (2024)

“endures through trials.” Early in the Epistle of James (James 1:2-12), the emphasis is on trials, and life is full of trials. In James 1:13 there is a shift to “temptations.” Trials certainly have temptations, but trials and temptations are different. A trial is an outward experience while a “temptation” is an inner enticement. A trial may or may not also be a “temptation” to sin, based on the trial itself and the maturity of the believer experiencing the trial. Some trials also contain temptations for us, while other trials may be inconvenient but don’t “tempt” us to sin. Driving on a road and having a flat tire is a trial and an inconvenience, but while that trial is also a temptation to some people who will lose their joy, use obscenity, and express anger in various ways, mature believers will take it in stride as part of life in the fallen world and just fix the tire and move on with life.

We are to count it all joy (James 1:2) when we are in trials because we can use them to become more mature in our Christian walk. Life is full of trials, that is, external circ*mstances that take our time and energy and that we generally do not like. In fact, trials are unavoidable. But what is important is how we respond to those trials. We can be angry, unthankful, complain that life is unfair, and in general act in an ungodly fashion, or we can face the trial as a part of the fallen world, see it as just another part of life, and not let it steal our joy. We can graciously endure the trial.

In contrast to a “trial,” a “temptation” involves an inner enticement to sin, and in James 1:13 the text shifts from trials to temptations. Douglas Moo writes: “The Greek word for ‘test’ in v. 12, peirazō, is the same word that is translated ‘tempt’ in vv. 13-14. Using this term as a link-word, therefore, James makes the transition from testing to temptation. God, James has said, promises a blessing to those who endure trials. ...God may bring, or allow, trials; but He is not, James insists, the author of temptation (v. 13).^a Ralph Martin writes that “testings (trials) are to be endured with fortitude,” while “temptations are to be resisted with a steadfast resolution.”^b

“stood the test.” The phrase is literally translated “becoming approved” (dokimos ginomai). In the context of experiencing trials and temptations, this phrase refers to the process of overcoming temptations and proving one’s faith to be genuine through enduring the trials and temptations. In James 1:3, James states that the “testing” (dokimion) of one’s faith produces endurance, and when a believer has stood the tests of their faith, they will receive a “crown of life.”

“the crown of life.” The “crowns” are special rewards that will be given out in the future Messianic Kingdom, and the New Testament mentions five crowns that God will give to those people who deserve them. The crown of life is given to Christians who endure and stay faithful through trials and temptations. The Bible and history both teach that it is very difficult to remain faithful to a Christian commitment all through one’s life. Too frequently, people “on fire” for the Lord “cool off” and abandon their commitment.

Unfortunately, the cooling off is often a result of what they see around them in Christianity and the way they are treated by other Christians. It is no secret that many Christians are hypocrites, and this can be very discouraging to those who are sincere in their efforts to live for God. Since the beginning of Christianity some 2,000 years ago, it would not be an exaggeration to say that millions of Christians have backed off from their Christian commitment because of what they have seen in the Church and/or because they were treated badly by fellow Christians. Others have cooled off when faced with trials and temptations. Trials and temptations come in many forms but fall into two broad categories: pressure (persecution) or pleasure (the “pleasures of sin”—Heb. 11:25).

One reward for Christians who stay faithful throughout their lives is the “crown of life.”

[For a summary of all the crowns and more information on the incorruptible crown see commentary on 1 Cor. 9:25. For information on the crown of boasting see commentary on 1 Thess. 2:19. For information on the crown of righteousness see commentary on 2 Tim. 4:8. For information on the crown of glory see commentary on 1 Pet. 5:4. For more information on rewards and punishments in the future kingdom, see commentary on 2 Cor. 5:10.]