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This is a short reading of one sentence in the opening chapter of James. James 1:12, King James Version: Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. The same verse in the World English Bible: Blessed is a person who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord promised to those who love him.
The letter opens with its own greeting. James 1:1 (KJV): “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.” This reading goes no further than that greeting about who the writer is. Just above verse 12, James 1:2 (KJV) begins: “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;” Verses 3 and 4 go on to “the trying of your faith” and “patience.” Just below it, James 1:13 (KJV) begins: “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God:” and verses 13–15 continue with how “every man is tempted”. So the word appears on both sides of verse 12: “temptations” in verse 2, “temptation” in verse 12, and “tempted” in verse 13. This reading notices that and leaves the verses side by side.
Read in order, the King James sentence moves through six pieces. “Blessed is the man” names who is called blessed. “that endureth temptation” names what that man does. “for when he is tried” gives the reason and names the moment. “he shall receive the crown of life” names what he receives. “which the Lord hath promised” names who promised it. “to them that love him” names to whom the promise is made. The World English Bible words two of those pieces differently: “a person who endures” where the KJV has “the man that endureth”, and “when he has been approved” where the KJV has “when he is tried”. This reading reports the difference and doesn't choose between readings.
This short reading is not a replacement for your pastor, your church, or your group, and it doesn't settle debates between churches. If you'd like to go further, the Get the quick version button below builds Cliff Notes on James 1:12 for you on MasteryLoopHQ: a short overview you can read at your own pace, and unpack further wherever you want more.
James 1:12 sits between James 1:2-4 and James 1:13-15. Read the whole sentence, from “Blessed is the man” to “them that love him” in its own setting.
What does James 1:12 say after the words “endureth temptation”? Which nearby verses also use temptation or tempted? What does the letter’s first verse call the writer, and to whom is it written?
Add James 1:12 to your verses, type it from memory, and come back to it on another day.
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