James 1:1-4 – Concerning the trials we face

In the opening verse, James called himself a servant of God. This reflects his humility. Although he was the earthly brother of the Lord and was the president of the Jerusalem Council, yet he did not take advantage of his relationship and position. He would rather be identified as the Lord’s servant. James’ recipients were acknowledged as “the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad.…” With that phrase he was not only writing to Jewish believers but to all Christians. He was in fact taking a leaf from the history of Israel in their wandering. Like them, we are also God’s people scattered as foreigners all over the world.  Here we see a non-elaborate salutation. James simply greeted them and then plunged into the topic that was foremost on his mind – trials.

In verse 2, we see the facts about trials. The word “when” suggests that trials are part and parcel of life. James did not use the word “if” but “when”. In other words trials are inevitable in life.  In just two verses, James was able to give some facts and forms about trials. Although the word “trials” simply means hardship or affliction, here it is made interesting by the adjective that modifies it. The word “various” can be defined as “many-colored or variegated.” It tells us that trials can come to believers in different forms. Some are straight forward; others could be complex and intricate.

We also could see from these few verses the reason for trials. They are meant to prove the faith of believers. The genuineness of one’s trust in the Lord would never be known without the trials. Trials not only make a man but also reveal what a man is made up of. When a believer successfully endured the test, he would be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. The word “perfect” does not mean to be sinless but mature. Hence, James here also prescribed the right response when encountering trials.  

How should one respond to trials? We are told here that the right response to trials in life is to learn to be joyful over it. It is implied that God had allowed the trials. We know this to be true because He controls everything completely. Hence, trials would never come upon a believer’s life without God’s consent.

In a nutshell, we know that trials should be accepted with joyful attitude, because God uses them to mold and develop us, and also help to make us mature and complete people of God, lacking nothing in life.  Let’s allow God to bring the best out of us through the trials we encounter!