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Yacob/(James) C1 C2 C3 C4 C5

Yac 1 V1 V2 V3 V4 V5 V6 V7 V8 V9 V11 V12 V13 V14 V15 V16 V17 V18 V19 V20 V21 V22 V23 V24 V25 V26 V27

OET interlinear YAC (JAM) 1:10

← YAC (JAM) 1:10 ↓ → ► ║ ©

SR Greek word order (including unused variant words in grey)

    1. Greek word
    2. Greek lemma
    3. OET-LV words
    4. OET-RV words
    5. Strongs
    6. Role/Morphology
    7. OET Gloss
    8. VLT Gloss
    9. CAPS codes
    10. Confidence
    11. OET tags
    12. OET word #
    1. ὁ
    2. ho
    3. the
    4. -
    5. 35880
    6. E····NMS
    7. the
    8. the
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 146574
    1. δέ
    2. de
    3. and
    4. -
    5. 11610
    6. C·······
    7. and
    8. and
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 146575
    1. πλούσιος
    2. plousios
    3. rich
    4. wealthy
    5. 41450
    6. S····NMS
    7. rich
    8. rich
    9. -
    10. Y60; F146581; F146586
    11. 146576
    1. ἐν
    2. en
    3. in
    4. -
    5. 17220
    6. P·······
    7. in
    8. in
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 146577
    1. τῇ
    2. ho
    3. the
    4. -
    5. 35880
    6. E····DFS
    7. the
    8. the
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 146578
    1. ταπεινοῦσι
    2. tapeinoō
    3. -
    4. -
    5. 50130
    6. VPPA·DMP
    7. humbling
    8. humbling
    9. -
    10. -
    11. 146579
    1. ταπεινώσει
    2. tapeinōsis
    3. humiliation
    4. -
    5. 50140
    6. N····DFS
    7. humiliation
    8. humiliation
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 146580
    1. αὐτοῦ
    2. autos
    3. of him
    4. -
    5. 8460
    6. R···3GMS
    7. ˱of˲ him
    8. ˱of˲ him
    9. -
    10. Y60; R146576
    11. 146581
    1. ὅτι
    2. hoti
    3. because
    4. because
    5. 37540
    6. C·······
    7. because
    8. because
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 146582
    1. ὡς
    2. hōs
    3. like
    4. -
    5. 56130
    6. C·······
    7. like
    8. like
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 146583
    1. ἄνθος
    2. anthos
    3. +a flower
    4. -
    5. 4380
    6. N····NNS
    7. ˓a˒ flower
    8. ˓a˒ flower
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 146584
    1. χόρτου
    2. χortos
    3. of +the grass
    4. grass
    5. 55280
    6. N····GMS
    7. ˱of˲ ˓the˒ grass
    8. ˱of˲ ˓the˒ grass
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 146585
    1. παρελεύσεται
    2. parerχomai
    3. he will be passing away
    4. -
    5. 39280
    6. VIFM3··S
    7. ˱he˲ ˓will_be˒ passing_away
    8. ˱he˲ ˓will_be˒ passing_away
    9. -
    10. Y60; R146576
    11. 146586

OET (OET-LV) and the rich, in the humiliation of_him, because like a_flower of_the_grass he_will_be_passing_away.

OET (OET-RV) whereas the wealthy can boast about their weakness because they’ll pass away just like the daisies in the grass.

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 1:2–11: James encouraged believers to continue to trust God during times of testing

The theme of this section is that it is important for Christians to continue to trust God when going through various kinds of trials or difficulties. These trials are a test of their faith (1:2–4). They need God’s wisdom in order to remain faithful to him, and so they should pray for wisdom (1:5). When they come to God in prayer, they should have an attitude of firm trust in him (1:6–8). Both poverty and wealth test a Christian. They should trust God whether rich or poor and learn to think about poverty and wealth as God does (1:9–11).

Some other possible headings for this section are:

Have faith and wisdom

When you have trials/tests, you must trust God

Be joyful when your faith is tested

Paragraph 1:9–11

Even if a Christian has a low position in society, he can rejoice. He can rejoice because, in God’s opinion, he is in a high position. Similarly, a Christian who is rich should have God’s opinion about himself. Although rich people are generally given high status because of their riches, rich Christians should rather value a low position and humble attitude. They should remember that our lives on earth are short and that riches will not last.

The theme of section 1:2–11 is that Christians should continue to trust God/Jesus when they have various kinds of tests/trials. Poverty is a kind of trial. It is also the result of the trial of being persecuted. Riches too may be a kind of test of faith. They test whether the Christian will trust God or his money. And for rich Christians who had lost wealth and status because of their faith in Christ, they should think of this in a positive way.

1:10a

But the one who is rich should exult in his low position,

But the one who is rich: The clause But the one who is rich contrasts with 1:9. However, there are two ways to interpret the clause the one who is rich:

  1. It refers to believers who are rich, in contrast to the ones who are poor (1:9). James was warning rich believers not to put their confidence in or highly value riches. For example, the GNT says:

    the rich Christians (GNT, REB, GW, CEV and probably BSB, NIV, NLT, NCV)Mayor, pages 43–44; Ropes, pages 145–146; Mitton, pages 36–37; Adamson (1976), page 61; Hiebert, pages 91–92; Moo (1985), page 68; Lenski, page 534; Tasker, page 43.

  2. It refers to unbelievers. James was speaking about rich people who were generally evil and not believers in Jesus, like the ones described in James 2:6–7 and 5:1–6. He said that they will be condemned. For example, the NASB says:

    the rich man (NASB, NET)Alford, page 278; Huther, pages 55–56; Laws, pages 62–64; Davids (1982), pages 76–77; Martin, pages 25–26; Dibelius, pages 84–85, Stulac, pages 190–201.

Some English translations can be understood either way (ESV, RSV, NJB, KJV, JBP). The choice between interpretation (1) and (2) is very difficult. Some translators may prefer to translate in a way that can be understood as either (1) or (2). For example:

the rich (ESV)

rich people

If you must choose one interpretation, or if you prefer to choose one interpretation, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Most English versions and many commentators follow that interpretation.

Some ways to make it clear that the one who is rich is also a brother are:

the rich brother

Rich believers (GW)

the rich Christians (GNT)

the one: Like “the brother” in 1:9a, the one here refers to rich believers in general. Consider whether it is more natural to use a singular or plural term here in your language.

should exult: The phrase should exult does not occur in Greek. However, it is clear from the parallel structure in 1:9b that readers should understand the same phrase here. So the BSB has supplied these words.

As noted in 1:9b, the Greek word that the BSB translates as should exult often means “boast.” But the Bible teaches that we should “boast” or “highly value” things that people generally have a low opinion of. Some of these things are weakness (2 Corinthians 12:5), knowing God (Jeremiah 9:24), and sufferings (Romans 5:3). Here James says that rich believers should “think well of” or “highly value” their low position.

Some other ways to translate this are:

be glad (GNT)

think well/highly of

highly value

rejoice

If possible, use the same word for both the lowly brother (1:9b) and for the rich brother.

in his low position: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as in his low position refers to:

  1. a humble attitude. God causes rich men to become humble so they understand that they need him to save them. Rich believers also become humble as they realize that their wealth does not make them important. They learn to highly value things that most people think of as lowly like serving others and being mistreated for the sake of Jesus.

  2. losing their wealth and high status when they were persecuted for being believers in Jesus.

If possible, translate this in a general way that could include both (a) and (b).

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

in being brought low (NRSV)

when God makes them humble (CEV)

God has humbled them (NLT)

1:10b

because he will pass away like a flower of the field.

because: The Greek conjunction that the BSB translates as because introduces the basis for the command in 1:10a. The rich believer should take pride in his low position, not in his riches (1:10a), because he, and his riches with him, will not last long (1:10b). In some languages, it is more natural to put the basis for the command (in 1:10b) before the command (in 1:10a). See the General Comment on 1:10a–b below for an example.

he will pass away like a flower of the field: This clause is a simile. In this simile, the rich person is compared to a wild flower. Some ways that they are similar are:

  1. They are not permanent. Both will soon die.

  2. It is only for a short period of time that people regard a rich person and a wild flower as important.

It is implied that the rich person’s wealth is also not permanent. You may want to make this explicit in your translation. For example:

he, and his riches too, will pass away like a wild flower

he will pass away: The Greek verb that the BSB translates as he will pass away here means that the rich believer, like all people, “will die.” His life on this earth will end. For example:

The rich will die (NCV)

Many languages use idiomatic expressions for dying. In English, one such expression is what the BSB has used: pass away. If you have an idiom or an expression that would fit both a flower that withers and dies as well as a person who dies, you may want to use that here. For example:

he will no longer be alive

he will cease to live/be

he will no longer be present

like a flower of the field: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as flower of the field refers to flowers that grow on their own. No one plants them. In Israel, the land where James lived, brightly colored wild flowers grow in great numbers when rain comes. But it is not long before the hot sun dries them up, and they die.

In some languages there is no general word for a flower. In such cases, it may be necessary to:

General Comment on 1:10a–b

In some languages, it will be more natural to change the order of the clauses in 1:10 and put the basis (1:10b) before the command (1:10a). For example:

10aBut the one who is rich 10bwill pass away like a flower of the field. 10aSo, he should exult in his low position, not in his riches.

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / ellipsis

ὁ δὲ πλούσιος, ἐν τῇ ταπεινώσει αὐτοῦ

the (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ὁ δέ πλούσιος ἐν τῇ ταπεινώσει αὐτοῦ ὅτι ὡς ἄνθος χόρτου παρελεύσεται)

James is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. These words can be supplied from the previous verse. Alternate translation: [but let the rich boast in his lowliness] or [but let the rich take satisfaction in his lowliness]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / nominaladj

ὁ & πλούσιος

the & rich

James is using the adjective rich as a noun in order to indicate a type of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate this with an equivalent expression. It is clear in context that James is speaking of a rich “brother” or “believer,” in parallel with the “lowly brother” he describes in the previous verse. Alternate translation: [a believer who is rich]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

τῇ ταπεινώσει αὐτοῦ

the humiliation ˱of˲_him

If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind the abstract noun lowliness with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: [the low place he occupies]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

τῇ ταπεινώσει αὐτοῦ

the humiliation ˱of˲_him

James is using a spatial metaphor to describe rich believers as if they were in a low place in order to indicate that God has taught them humility. Alternate translation: [the humility that God has taught them]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

τῇ ταπεινώσει αὐτοῦ

the humiliation ˱of˲_him

If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate explicitly, as UST does, that God has taught rich believers humility by showing them that their wealth does not make them better than other people.

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / euphemism

παρελεύσεται

˱he˲_˓will_be˒_passing_away

James is using a mild expression to refer to death. Alternate translation: [he will die]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / simile

ὡς ἄνθος χόρτου

like ˓a˒_flower ˱of˲_˓the˒_grass

The point of this comparison is that just a wild flower blooms only for a short time, rich people will live on earth for the same relatively short time as anyone else, so their riches do not give them any advantage. You could explain the meaning of this figurative expression in your translation. (However, you could also reproduce the simile, as suggested in the next note.) Alternate translation: [after living for only a relatively short time]

Note 8 topic: translate-unknown

ὡς ἄνθος χόρτου παρελεύσεται

like ˓a˒_flower ˱of˲_˓the˒_grass ˱he˲_˓will_be˒_passing_away

If you would like to use a simile in your translation but your readers would not be familiar with a flower of the grass (that is, a wildflower), you could use a different illustration. You could use something familiar to them that lasts only for a short time.

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

    1. OET-LV words
    2. OET-RV words
    3. Strongs
    4. Greek word
    5. Greek lemma
    6. Role/Morphology
    7. OET Gloss
    8. VLT Gloss
    9. CAPS codes
    10. Confidence
    11. OET tags
    12. OET word #
    1. and
    2. -
    3. 11610
    5. de
    6. C-·······
    7. and
    8. and
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 146575
    1. the
    2. -
    3. 35880
    5. ho
    6. E-····NMS
    7. the
    8. the
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 146574
    1. rich
    2. wealthy
    3. 41450
    5. plousios
    6. S-····NMS
    7. rich
    8. rich
    9. -
    10. Y60; F146581; F146586
    11. 146576
    1. in
    2. -
    3. 17220
    5. en
    6. P-·······
    7. in
    8. in
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 146577
    1. the
    2. -
    3. 35880
    5. ho
    6. E-····DFS
    7. the
    8. the
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 146578
    1. humiliation
    2. -
    3. 50140
    5. tapeinōsis
    6. N-····DFS
    7. humiliation
    8. humiliation
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 146580
    1. of him
    2. -
    3. 8460
    5. autos
    6. R-···3GMS
    7. ˱of˲ him
    8. ˱of˲ him
    9. -
    10. Y60; R146576
    11. 146581
    1. because
    2. because
    3. 37540
    5. hoti
    6. C-·······
    7. because
    8. because
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 146582
    1. like
    2. -
    3. 56130
    5. hōs
    6. C-·······
    7. like
    8. like
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 146583
    1. +a flower
    2. -
    3. 4380
    5. anthos
    6. N-····NNS
    7. ˓a˒ flower
    8. ˓a˒ flower
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 146584
    1. of +the grass
    2. grass
    3. 55280
    5. χortos
    6. N-····GMS
    7. ˱of˲ ˓the˒ grass
    8. ˱of˲ ˓the˒ grass
    9. -
    10. Y60
    11. 146585
    1. he will be passing away
    2. -
    3. 39280
    5. parerχomai
    6. V-IFM3··S
    7. ˱he˲ ˓will_be˒ passing_away
    8. ˱he˲ ˓will_be˒ passing_away
    9. -
    10. Y60; R146576
    11. 146586

OET (OET-LV) and the rich, in the humiliation of_him, because like a_flower of_the_grass he_will_be_passing_away.

OET (OET-RV) whereas the wealthy can boast about their weakness because they’ll pass away just like the daisies in the grass.

Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.

Acknowledgements: The SR Greek text, lemmas, morphology, and VLT gloss are all thanks to the CNTR.

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← YAC (JAM) 1:10 ↑ → ► ║ ©