James 1:9 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

Bible Comments

The paradox of a bragging that comes of humility and faith is common to James and Paul: it starts from Jeremiah 9:23 t The brotherhood which levels all differences into a glorious liberty, fraternity, and equality is the community of God's faithful people. The rich man, as such, has only the common lot to expect: he needs to be lifted down, as the beggar is lifted up, to the place of eternal safety. James vividly expands the famous simile of Isaiah 40:6 from the conditions of Palestine: the easterly sirocco at sunrise (Mark 4:6) blasted vegetation (cf. Psalms 103:16). The goings are trade journeys (cf. James 4:13) he is cut off while still on the move.

James 1:9-11

9 Let the brother of low degree rejoiceb 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.