The Holy Spirit inspired purpose for this epistle is to provide pastoral counsel for a spiritually mature walk in the believer’s life. James 1:9-11 (the second paragraph of the epistle) gives counsel concerning the contrasting subjects of humble maturity and worldly materialism. The contextual situation is established through the closing line of the paragraph at the end of verse 11 -- “So also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.” Only two sentences are delivered in the three verses of James 1:9-11. The first is a compound sentence, encompassing verses 9-10; the second encompasses verse 11. Grammatically, the compound sentence of verses 9-10 can be divided into three parts. The first two parts present two connected, yet contrasting instructions, the first (verse 9) serving as an encouragement to the lowly believer and the second (the opening portion of verse 10) serving as an exhortation to the wealthy believer. Finally, the third part of the sentence (the closing portion of verse 10) serves as an explanatory warning to the wealthy believer. Now, the two instructions of verses 9-10 are governed by a single verb of command. This verb of command is the word “rejoice” found in verse 9. This word “rejoice” is translated from a Greek word that means, not simply to express joy and gladness, but to express exultation and glory. Through this single verb of command, the entire sentence emphasizes our Lord’s desire for us to glory in three particular matters.
1. Our Lord desires for us to glory in the promise of exaltation. 2. Our Lord desires for us to glory in the promotion of humility. 3. Our Lord desires for us to glory in the prevention of materialism.
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Pastor Scott Markle was raised in a Christian home, and received the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior at the age of four. He has served the Lord his God and Savior in pastoral ministry since 1992. He has served as the pastor of Melvin Baptist Church, a small country church in the...
