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I.
Vs. 9 But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory
in his high position;
a.
James returns to his purpose repeating
the proposition, which is, that we must rejoice in affliction, for
it does not oppress us, but exalt us. (Geneva Study Bible 1599)
b.
Humble circumstances Ð tapeinos
{tap-i-nos'}- brought low with grief, depressed. One who is afflicted with poverty,
or contempt, or with any kind of calamity.
c.
Glory - kauchaomai {kow-khah'-om-ahee}
- to glory (whether with reason or without), to glory on account
of a thing, to glory in a thing
d.
High position - hupsos {hoop'-sos} - rank, high station - namely, by being accounted a son and heir of God, his very
sufferings being a pledge of his coming glory and crown (Commentary
Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible)
II.
Vs. 10 and
the rich man {is to glory} in his humiliation, because like flowering
grass he will pass away.
a.
Rich man - plousios {ploo'-see-os} - abounding (rich) in Christian
virtues and eternal possessions -One who
has all things at his will (Commentary Critical and Explanatory
on the Whole Bible)
b.
{is to glory} in his humiliation - tapeinosis {tap-i'-no-sis} -
lowness, low estate -The one who is rich can be glad for his human
frailty knowing that he has eternal glory in Christ 2 Cor. 4:17.
(Bible Knowledge Commentary) The rich may rejoice "in that he is made low," by
being stripped of his goods for Christ's sake; or in that he is
made, by sanctified trials, lowly in spirit, which is true matter
for rejoicing (Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole
Bible)
i.
2 Cor. 4:17 - For momentary, light affliction is producing for us
an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,
ii.
Eternal - aionios {ahee-o'-nee-os} - without beginning
and end, that which always has been and always will be
iii.
Weight of Glory - doxa {dox'-ah} - a most glorious condition, most
exalted state. (This state) remains
forever firm and stable, and can never be shaken. (Commentary Critical
and Explanatory on the Whole Bible)
III.
Vs. 11 For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers
the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance
is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will
fade away
a.
James refers to Isaiah 40:6-8 where it says: A voice was saying, "Cry out!"
Another said, "What should I cry out?" "All humanity
is grass, and all its goodness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flowers fade
when the breath of the Lord blows on them; indeed, the people are
grass. The grass withers, the flowers fade, but
the word of our God remains forever."
b.
The Scorching wind Ð or the hot wind comes
from the (east or) south, which scorches vegetation (Luke
12:55 And when the south wind is blowing, you say, 'It's going
to be a scorcher!' and it is). The "burning heat" of the
sun is not at its rising, but rather at noon; whereas the
scorching wind is often at sunrise (Commentary Critical and Explanatory
on the Whole Bible)
c.
'The flower may flourish for a few days
and be admired by all who behold it, but the heat of the sun soon
withers it, and it fades and falls; even so men may have their hours
of exaltation, reveling in their riches and the privileges that
wealth can give, but soon all this must come to an end; and unless
they possess eternal riches laid up in heaven they will be utterly
bereft' (desolate or alone) (Notes on James and Peter. Ironside).
d.
The rich man's pursuits - poreia
{por-i'-ah} -purpose - His projects, counsels,
and managements for this world (Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary)
e.
Will fade away - maraino {mar-ah'-ee-no} - have a miserable end
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