James 1:11 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Bible Comments

With a burning heat; or, the scorching east wind, which in those countries was wont to rise with the sun, Jonah 4:8. So also shall the rich man fade away; either shall is here put for may, the future tense for the potential mood; and then the apostle doth not so much declare what always certainly stall be, as what easily may be, and frequently is, the prosperity of rich men not being always of so short continuance. Or, shall may be taken properly, as we read it; and then his is a general proposition, showing the mutable nature and short continuance of rich men and their riches, whose longest life is but short, and death, when it comes, strips them of their enjoyments: and though this frailty be common to all, yet he speaks of the rich especially, because they are so apt to hear themselves high upon their wealth, and put confidence in it, 1 Timothy 6:17. In his ways; either in his journeyings and travels for his riches, or rather in his counsels, purposes, actions, Psalms 146:4.

James 1:11

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.