YAC 1:3 Interlinear View

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 1:2–4

James taught that Christians should rejoice when persons or situations test their faith. When such tests occur, Christians learn how to persevere, and they become more mature in their faith.

1:3

This verse describes in more detail how Christians should think about the tests of their faith.

1:3a

because you know that

because/for you^(plur) understand/realize that
You know that (CEV)

because you know that: The Greek word that the BSB translates as because you know introduces the basis for the command in 1:2a. James told his fellow believers to rejoice when they face trials (1:2a–b) because such trials have good effects. Trials develop perseverance in the person who is tested (1:3c).

This word also implies that James’ readers already understood that when their faith was tested, the result would be perseverance. So James was reminding them of this truth.Several commentators suggest that this phrase should be understood to mean “you should realise that”: Adamson (1976), pages 52, 54; Tasker, page 40; Hiebert, page 74. Rather similarly: Huther, page 42. R. F. Weymouth translates “Be assured that” and C.K. Williams “remember.” The German versions Luther 1964 revision, 1984 revision (but not 1975 revision), and Zürcher Bibel, and the French version Bible de la Pléiade translate with an imperative (which could be translated as “and recognize that”). Hiebert states (page 74): “The present tense participle indicates that his readers were not ignorant of the truth being set forth, but they had to continue to realize it in personal experience.” However, the following commentators support the interpretation of the BSB: Alford, page 275; Davids (1982), page 68; Martin, page 15. Laws (page 49) translates “knowing.” Many commentators do not discuss the point.

Some other ways to translate this are:

because you^(plur) realize

because you understand

because you are aware

You know that (CEV)

In some languages, it is more natural to put the basis before the command (1:2a). See the General Comment on 1:2–3 at the end of 1:3c for an example.

you: The pronoun you is plural and refers to all the readers.

1:3b

the testing of your faith

having your^(plur) faith tested
when your^(plur) faith in Jesus is tested and proved/found to be genuine,
when you^(plur) have trials/difficulties to do the wrong thing and you continue to trust/believe in Jesus/God,

the testing of your faith: The Greek word that the BSB translates as testing refers to the process of testing to prove that something was genuine. Here the phrase probably refers to persecution that tests whether a person was really loyal to Jesus as God’s Messiah. Because of persecution, some Jewish Christians were tempted to abandon their faith in Christ and return to their Jewish religion.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

when your faith is tested (NLT)

these troubles test your faith (NCV)

when you have difficulties and you^(plur) continue to believe/trust in Jesus/God

when you are tested and you prove that you are loyal to Jesus

your faith: The Greek word that the BSB translates as faith refers to trusting in Jesus, relying on him, and being committed to him. It is based on the belief that Jesus is the Messiah and that he could save them from their sins.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

your^(plur) trust in Jesus

your loyalty/commitment to Jesus

If it is more natural to translate this word as a verb, do so. For example:

whether you^(plur) truly trust Jesus

that you really believe

if you are loyal to Jesus

See believe, meaning 2, in the Glossary.

1:3c

develops perseverance.

causes you^(plur) to develop the ability to persevere.
you learn to endure. (CEV)
you^(plur) begin to be patient.

develops perseverance: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as develops perseverance means “produces the ability to continue to do something despite difficulties.” In this context, it means “produces/increases the ability to continue to believe firmly, even when difficulties arise.”

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

produces endurance (NET)

you learn to endure (CEV)

teaches you to continue/persist

teaches you patience

If there is an idiom in your language to express this idea, consider using it here.

General Comment on 1:2–3

In some languages, it is more natural to give the basis for the command (1:3) first, and then give the command itself (1:2). For example:

^3aYou know that ^3bthe testing of your faith ^3cdevelops perseverance. ^2aSo, my brothers, consider it pure joy, ^2bwhen you encounter trials of many kinds.

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

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.

OET interlinear YAC (JAM) 1:3

SR Greek word order