Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:
But "let the brother," etc - i:e., the best remedy against double-mindedness is that Christian simplicity of spirit whereby the "brother," low in outward circumstances, may "rejoice (answering to James 1:2) in that he is exalted" - namely, by being accounted a son and heir of God, his very suffering's being a pledge of his coming crown (James 1:12); and the rich may rejoice "in that he is made low," by being stripped of his goods for Christ's sake (Menochius); or, in that he is made, by sanctified trials, lowly in spirit (Gomarus). The design is to reduce all things to an equable footing (James 2:1; James 5:13). The "low," rather than the "rich," is termed "the brother" (Bengel). So far as one is merely "rich" in worldly goods, "he shall pass away;" in so far as his predominant character is that of a "brother," he "abideth forever" (1 John 2:17). This view meets all Alford's objections to regarding "the rich" here as a "brother." at all.