Lectionary Calendar
Wednesday, October 9th, 2024
the Week of Proper 22 / Ordinary 27
Attention!
Tired of seeing ads while studying? Now you can enjoy an "Ads Free" version of the site for as little as 10¢ a day and support a great cause!
Click here to learn more!

Read the Bible

King James Version

James 1:10

But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Afflictions and Adversities;   Death;   Grass;   Humility;   Life;   Poor;   Resignation;   Rich, the;   Thompson Chain Reference - Grass, Man as;   Man;   Mortality;   Mortality-Immortality;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Flowers;   Riches;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Grass;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Flowers;   Humility;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Flowers;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Peter, the Epistles of;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Ecclesiastes, Book of;   Flowers;   James, the Letter;   Pride;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Beatitudes;   James, Epistle of;   Text of the New Testament;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Flowers;   Grass;   James Epistle of;   Socialism;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Temptation;   Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types - Flower;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Flowers;   Grass;   James, Epistle of;   Wealth;  

Devotionals:

- Every Day Light - Devotion for May 21;  

Parallel Translations

New American Standard Bible (1995)
and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away.
Simplified Cowboy Version
But them rich folks better have a humble air about 'em because they ain't no different in the grand scheme of things than any other blade of grass by the pond.
Bible in Basic English
But the man of wealth, that he is made low; because like the flower of the grass he will come to his end.
Darby Translation
and the rich in his humiliation, because as [the] grass's flower he will pass away.
World English Bible
and the rich, in that he is made humble, because like the flower in the grass, he will pass away.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
But the rich, in that he is made low; because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
Weymouth's New Testament
but a rich man should rejoice in being brought low, for like flowers among the herbage rich men will pass away.
King James Version (1611)
But the rich, in that hee is made low: because as the floure of the grasse he shall passe away.
Literal Translation
and the rich one rejoice in his humiliation, because he will pass away like the flower of the grass.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
and the rich, in yt he is made lowe. For eue as the flor of ye grasse shal he vanyshe awaye.
Mace New Testament (1729)
let the rich be humbled by his instability: for he is as transitory as a flower in the field.
Amplified Bible
and the rich man is to glory in being humbled [by trials revealing human frailty, knowing true riches are found in the grace of God], for like the flower of the grass he will pass away.
American Standard Version
and the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
Revised Standard Version
and the rich in his humiliation, because like the flower of the grass he will pass away.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
and the ryche in that he is made lowe. For eve as ye flower of the grasse shall he vanysshe awaye.
Update Bible Version
and the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
Webster's Bible Translation
But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
Young's Literal Translation
and the rich in his becoming low, because as a flower of grass he shall pass away;
New Century Version
Those who are rich should take pride that God has shown them that they are spiritually poor. The rich will die like a wild flower in the grass.
New English Translation
But the rich person's pride should be in his humiliation, because he will pass away like a wildflower in the meadow.
Berean Standard Bible
But the one who is rich should exult in his low position, because he will pass away like a flower of the field.
Contemporary English Version
But any who are rich should be glad when God makes them humble. Rich people will disappear like wild flowers
Complete Jewish Bible
But let the rich brother boast about his being humbled; since, like a wildflower, he will pass away.
English Standard Version
and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Againe hee that is rich, in that hee is made lowe: for as the flower of the grasse, shall he vanish away.
George Lamsa Translation
Let the rich man rejoice in his humbleness: because as the flower of the grass, so shall he pass away.
Christian Standard Bible®
but the one who is rich should boast in his humiliation because he will pass away like a flower of the field.
Hebrew Names Version
and the rich, in that he is made humble, because like the flower in the grass, he will pass away.
International Standard Version
and a rich person in his lowliness, because he will fade away like a flower in the grass.Job 1:14:2; Psalm 37:2; 90:5-6; 102:11; 103:15; Isaiah 40:6; 1 Corinthians 7:31; James 4:14; 1 Peter 1:24; 1 John 2:17;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
and the rich in his humility; for as the flower of an herb, so he passeth.
Murdock Translation
and the rich, in his depression; because, like the flower of an herb, so he passeth away.
New King James Version
but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away.
New Living Translation
And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field.
New Life Bible
But a rich man should be happy even if he loses everything. He is like a flower that will die.
English Revised Version
and the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
New Revised Standard
and the rich in being brought low, because the rich will disappear like a flower in the field.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Whereas the rich, in his being brought low, - because, as a flower of grass, he will pass away;
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the rich, in his being low: because as the flower of the grass shall he pass away.
Lexham English Bible
but the rich person in his humiliation, because he will pass away like a flower of the grass.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Agayne, the riche, in that he is made lowe: Because as the flowre of the grasse he shall passe away.
Easy-to-Read Version
Believers who are rich should be glad when bad things happen that humble them. Their riches won't keep them from disappearing as quickly as wildflowers.
New American Standard Bible
but the rich person is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away.
Good News Translation
and the rich Christians must be glad when God brings them down. For the rich will pass away like the flower of a wild plant.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
and a riche man in his lownesse; for as the flour of gras he schal passe.

Contextual Overview

2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. 9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: 10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. 11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

in: Isaiah 57:15, Isaiah 66:2, Matthew 5:3, Philippians 3:8, 1 Timothy 6:17

because: James 4:14, Job 14:2, Psalms 37:2, Psalms 37:35, Psalms 37:36, Psalms 90:5, Psalms 90:6, Psalms 102:11, Psalms 103:15, Isaiah 40:6, Matthew 6:30, 1 Corinthians 7:31, 1 Peter 1:24, 1 John 2:17

Reciprocal: Exodus 2:21 - content 1 Samuel 2:7 - bringeth 2 Kings 19:26 - they were Job 8:12 - General Psalms 49:12 - in honour Psalms 58:8 - pass Psalms 86:1 - for I am Psalms 92:7 - wicked Proverbs 27:24 - riches Isaiah 28:4 - shall be Isaiah 37:27 - as the grass of Isaiah 51:12 - man which Isaiah 64:6 - we all Jonah 3:6 - and he arose Habakkuk 3:18 - I will rejoice Matthew 21:20 - How Luke 1:52 - put Luke 6:20 - Blessed Luke 12:27 - the lilies Luke 19:8 - Behold Acts 8:31 - How Acts 8:39 - and he Acts 17:12 - honourable 2 Corinthians 10:17 - General 1 Peter 5:6 - that

Cross-References

Genesis 1:4
And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
Deuteronomy 32:4
He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
Psalms 104:31
The glory of the Lord shall endure for ever: the Lord shall rejoice in his works.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

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. Such an one should rejoice or glory in his lowness, or low estate; in the consideration of the low estate, out of which he was raised, by the good providence of God, and was not owing to any merit of his; and in the low estate into which he may be at present reduced, through the violence of persecution being stripped of all his riches for Christ's sake, of which he might make his boast, and count it his greatest glory; or in that low estate he may quickly expect he shall be brought into, either in the above manner, or by some calamity or another, and at least by death, which will put him upon a level with others: or this may have respect to the temper of his mind, which he has, through the grace of God, and the station he is in, in the church of God, being a brother, and no more than a brother, and upon an equal foot with the meanest member in it; and which yet is matter of rejoicing, that he is one, and that he is so blessed with the grace of humility, as not to lift up himself above others, not to mind high things, but to condescend to men of low estate; and such a deportment the apostle exhorts rich saints unto, from the consideration of the instability and inconstancy of worldly riches.

Because, as the flower of the grass he shall pass away; shortly, and suddenly; either he himself by death, or his riches at death, or before, and therefore are not to be gloried in; nor should the possessors of them be proud and haughty and elate themselves with them, but should behave humbly and modestly to their fellow creatures and Christians, as knowing that in a short time they will all be upon a par, or in an equal state; See Job 14:2. The metaphor here used is enlarged upon in the following verse, for the further illustration of the fickleness, perishing, and transitory nature of earthly enjoyments.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

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. New grace is imparted for this new form of trial, and new traits of Christian character are developed in these rapid transitions, as some of the most beautiful exhibitions of the laws of matter are brought out in the rapid transitions in the laboratory of the chemist.

Because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away - That is, since it is a fact that he will thus pass away, he should rejoice that he is reminded of it. He should, therefore, esteem it a favor that this lesson is brought impressively before his mind. To learn this effectually, though by the loss of property, is of more value to him than all his wealth would be if he were forgetful of it. The comparison of worldly splendor with the fading flower of the field, is one that is common in Scripture. It is probable that James had his eye on the passage in Isaiah 40:6-8. See the notes at that passage. Compare the notes at 1 Peter 1:24-25. See also Psalms 103:15; Matthew 6:28-30.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 10. But the rich, in that he is made low — εν τη 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.


 
adsfree-icon
Ads FreeProfile