JAMES 1:9-11 Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, 10 but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. 11 For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.
NSB* - James offers two examples of trials (vv. 2-8). One is of a lowly brother and the other is of a rich man. Probably lowly means "poor" in contrast to the other man who is rich. The poor believer is to glory (see "count it all joy" in v2) in the fact that God has exalted him by allowing him to experience difficult circumstances, for these only perfect his character and faith (v.4). The rich believer can also glory when a trial brings him low because it teaches him that life is short, and that his pursuits, that is his business, will fade away. The rich man should always trust in the Lord, not himself or his money.
Lowly; The KJV uses the words "low degree" here.
Greek -ταπεινός tapeinos
Strong's - G5011
Strong's - depressed, i.e., (figuratively) humiliated (in circumstances or disposition)
Thayer expands - 1) not rising far from the ground 2) metaph. 2a) as a condition, lowly, of low degree 2b) brought low with grief, depressed 2c) lowly in spirit, humble 2d) in a bad sense, deporting one's self abjectly, deferring servilely to others.
Vines - (def A-1a under humble) primarily signifies low-lying." It is used always in a good sense in the NT, metaphorically, to denote "of low degree;".
Brother; See this study under "brethren"
Exaltation; The KJV uses the word "exalted" here.
Greek - ὕψος hupsos
Strong's - G5311
Strong's - elevation, i.e. (abstractly) altitude, (specially), the sky, or (figuratively) dignity.
Dobson denotes - height, heaven; dignity, eminence.
Thayer expands - 1) height 1a) of measurement 1b) of place, heaven 1c) metaph. rank, high station.
Vines - has this under "estate, state" with a similar definition (def prime) - signifying "height," is rendered "(in his) high estate," James 1:9, RV, for AV, "in that he is exalted;" "on high,".
Moving to Verse 10.
James 1:10 but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away.
Humiliation; The KJV renders this "is made low".
Greek - ταπείνωσις tapeinōsis
Strong's - G5014
Strong's - depression (in rank or feeling)
LSJ Gloss - humiliation, abasement, defeat.
Thayer expands - 1) lowness, low estate 2) metaph. 2a) spiritual abasement, leading one to perceive and lament his (moral) littleness and guilt.
Vines (def prime) is rendered low estate" RV "(the body of our) humiliation," AV, "(our) vile (body);" James 1:10, where "in that he is made low," is, lit., "in his humiliation."
Pass Away; Greek - παρέρχομαι parerchomai
Strong's - G3928
Strong's - to come near or aside, i.e. to approach (arrive), go by (or away), (figuratively) perish or neglect, (causative) avert.
Dobson denotes - I pass by, pass away, pass out of sight; I am rendered void, become vain, neglect, disregard.
Vines - (def 1a) "to pass away, to perish,".
Moving to Verse 11.
James 1:11 For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.
Risen; Greek - ἀνατέλλω anatellō
Strong's - G393
Strong's - to (cause to) arise.
Dobson denotes - I make to rise, I rise, shine (generally of the sun, and hence met.).
Withers; Greek - ξηραίνω xērainō
Strong's - G3583
Strong's - to desiccate; by implication, to shrivel, to mature.
Dobson denotes - I dry up, parch, am ripened, wither, waste.
Perishes; Greek - ἀπόλλυμι apollumi
Strong's - G622
Strong's - to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively.
Dobson denotes - I destroy, lose, am perishing
Falls; Greek - ἐκπίπτω ekpiptō
Strong's - G1601
Strong's - to drop away; specially, be driven out of one's course; figuratively, to lose, become inefficient.
Dobson denotes - I fall out, fall off, fall away; hence in nautical language: I fall off from the straight course; of flowers: I fade away, wither away; I fall from, lose, forfeit; I am cast ashore; I am fruitless.
Thayer expands - 1) to fall out of, to fall down from, to fall off 2) metaph. 2a) to fall from a thing, to lose it 2b) to perish, to fall 2b1) to fall from a place from which one cannot keep 2b2) fall from a position 2b3) to fall powerless, to fall to the ground, be without effect 2b3a) of the divine promise of salvation
Fade Away; Greek - μαραίνω marainō
Strong's - G3133
Strong's - to extinguish (as fire), i.e. (figuratively and passively) to pass away.
Thayer expands - 1) to extinguish (a flame, fire, light, etc.) 2) to render arid, make to waste away, consume away, perish 3) to have a miserable end.
NSB* - In ancient Israel, there were grasses that sprouted out of the ground in the morning and by the afternoon would wither away under the intense heat of the summer sun. James compares the instability of wealth to this type of grass; it is here today and gone tomorrow. The chart below delineates what scripture says about riches.
My notes - I like this chart because it gives a broader view of what scripture has to say overall on this subject.
*= Nelson Study Bible.
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