James 1:9
New International Version
Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.

New Living Translation
Believers who are poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them.

English Standard Version
Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation,

Berean Standard Bible
The brother in humble circumstances should exult in his high position.

Berean Literal Bible
But let the brother of low degree boast in his exaltation,

King James Bible
Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:

New King James Version
Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation,

New American Standard Bible
Now the brother or sister of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position;

NASB 1995
But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position;

NASB 1977
But let the brother of humble circumstances glory in his high position;

Legacy Standard Bible
But the brother of humble circumstances is to boast in his high position;

Amplified Bible
Let the brother in humble circumstances glory in his high position [as a born-again believer, called to the true riches and to be an heir of God];

Christian Standard Bible
Let the brother of humble circumstances boast in his exaltation,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The brother of humble circumstances should boast in his exaltation,

American Standard Version
But let the brother of low degree glory in his high estate:

Contemporary English Version
Any of God's people who are poor should be glad he thinks so highly of them.

English Revised Version
But let the brother of low degree glory in his high estate:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Humble believers should be proud because being humble makes them important.

Good News Translation
Those Christians who are poor must be glad when God lifts them up,

International Standard Version
A brother of humble means should rejoice in his having been exalted,

Majority Standard Bible
The brother in humble circumstances should exult in his high position.

NET Bible
Now the believer of humble means should take pride in his high position.

New Heart English Bible
But let the brother in humble circumstances glory in his high position;

Webster's Bible Translation
Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:

Weymouth New Testament
Let a brother in humble life rejoice when raised to a higher position;

World English Bible
Let the brother in humble circumstances glory in his high position;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And let the brother who is low rejoice in his exaltation,

Berean Literal Bible
But let the brother of low degree boast in his exaltation,

Young's Literal Translation
And let the brother who is low rejoice in his exaltation,

Smith's Literal Translation
And let the humble brother boast in his elevation:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But let the brother of low condition glory in his exaltation:

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now a humble brother should glory in his exaltation,

New American Bible
The brother in lowly circumstances should take pride in his high standing,

New Revised Standard Version
Let the believer who is lowly boast in being raised up,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Let the brother of low estate rejoice because he is exalted.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But let the poor brother boast in his exaltation,
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Let the brother that is in a lowly condition, glory in his exaltation:

Godbey New Testament
But let the humble brother boast in his exaltation:

Haweis New Testament
Let the brother low in station rejoice in his elevation:

Mace New Testament
Let him that is poor triumph in the advantages of being a christian.

Weymouth New Testament
Let a brother in humble life rejoice when raised to a higher position;

Worrell New Testament
But let the lowly brother glory in his high station;

Worsley New Testament
Let the brother that is low rejoice in his exaltation: but the rich in his humiliation,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Rejoicing in Trials
8He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. 9 The brother in humble circumstances should exult in his high position. 10But the one who is rich should exult in his low position, because he will pass away like a flower of the field.…

Cross References
Matthew 5:3
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Luke 1:52
He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble.

1 Peter 5:6
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you.

Proverbs 3:34
He mocks the mockers, but gives grace to the humble.

1 Samuel 2:7-8
The LORD sends poverty and wealth; He humbles and He exalts. / He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap. He seats them among princes and bestows on them a throne of honor. For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s, and upon them He has set the world.

Luke 6:20
Looking up at His disciples, Jesus said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

2 Corinthians 8:9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.

Philippians 4:12
I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. In any and every situation I have learned the secret of being filled and being hungry, of having plenty and having need.

1 Corinthians 1:26-29
Brothers, consider the time of your calling: Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were powerful; not many were of noble birth. / But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. / He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, ...

Isaiah 66:2
Has not My hand made all these things? And so they came into being,” declares the LORD. “This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word.

Psalm 113:7-8
He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the dump / to seat them with nobles, with the princes of His people.

Matthew 23:12
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Proverbs 29:23
A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.

Job 5:11
He sets the lowly on high, so that mourners are lifted to safety.

Psalm 138:6
Though the LORD is on high, He attends to the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar.


Treasury of Scripture

Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:

the brother.

James 2:5,6
Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? …

Deuteronomy 15:7,9,11
If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: …

Psalm 62:9
Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.

rejoice.

Jeremiah 9:23,24
Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: …

Romans 5:2,3
By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God…

Philippians 3:3
For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

in.

James 2:5
Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

1 Samuel 2:8
He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S, and he hath set the world upon them.

Psalm 113:7,8
He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; …

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Boast Circumstances Degree Elevation Estate Exaltation Exalted Glad Glory High Higher Humble Lifted Low Ought Position Pride Raised Rejoice
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Boast Circumstances Degree Elevation Estate Exaltation Exalted Glad Glory High Higher Humble Lifted Low Ought Position Pride Raised Rejoice
James 1
1. James greets the twelve tribes among the nations;
2. exhorts to rejoice in trials and temptations;
5. to ask patience of God;
13. and in our trials not to impute our weakness, or sins, to him,
19. but rather to hearken to the word, to meditate on it, and to do thereafter.
26. Otherwise men may seem, but never be, truly religious.














The brother in humble circumstances
This phrase refers to a believer who is experiencing poverty or low social status. In the early church, many Christians were from the lower classes, including slaves and the poor. The term "brother" emphasizes the familial bond among believers, transcending social and economic barriers. The Bible often highlights God's concern for the poor and marginalized, as seen in passages like Proverbs 19:17 and Luke 6:20. The early church, as described in Acts 2:44-45, practiced communal sharing to support those in need, reflecting the value placed on caring for brothers in humble circumstances.

should exult
To "exult" means to rejoice or take pride. This is a countercultural command, as society typically values wealth and status. The call to exult in humble circumstances aligns with the teachings of Jesus, who often reversed societal norms, as seen in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12). This rejoicing is not in the poverty itself but in the spiritual realities and promises that accompany faith in Christ. It reflects a deep trust in God's sovereignty and goodness, as well as an eternal perspective that values spiritual riches over material wealth.

in his high position
The "high position" refers to the spiritual status and privileges of being a child of God. Despite earthly poverty, believers are heirs to the kingdom of God (Romans 8:17) and possess every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). This high position is rooted in the believer's identity in Christ, who, though rich, became poor for our sake (2 Corinthians 8:9). The paradox of being lowly yet exalted is a recurring theme in Scripture, highlighting the upside-down nature of God's kingdom, where the last shall be first (Matthew 20:16).

Persons / Places / Events
1. James
The author of the epistle, traditionally identified as James, the brother of Jesus and a leader in the early Jerusalem church. He writes to Jewish Christians scattered among the nations.

2. The Brother in Humble Circumstances
Refers to believers who are experiencing poverty or low social status. James addresses their spiritual status and encourages them to find joy in their exalted position in Christ.

3. The Early Church
The context in which James writes, where many believers faced persecution and economic hardship, making his message particularly relevant.
Teaching Points
Spiritual Exaltation in Humility
The Greek word for "exult" (kauchaomai) implies boasting or taking pride. Believers in humble circumstances are encouraged to take pride in their spiritual status, not their worldly condition.

True Riches in Christ
Earthly status does not determine one's value in God's kingdom. Believers are called to recognize their true riches in Christ, which surpass any material wealth.

Perspective Shift
James challenges believers to shift their perspective from worldly measures of success to spiritual realities. This involves seeing trials as opportunities for growth and deeper reliance on God.

Community Support
The church is called to support and uplift those in humble circumstances, recognizing their value and encouraging them in their spiritual journey.

Joy in Trials
Embracing joy in difficult circumstances is a testament to faith and trust in God's promises. This joy is rooted in the assurance of God's love and eternal inheritance.(9-11) Lowly-mindedness is the subject of the next paragraph. There is wide misapprehension of our state of trial: the poor and humble are apt to forget the honour thus vouchsafed to them, worthier in truth than the wealth of this world, which quickly fades away; and the rich and noble are often unmindful of the true source of their dignity, and that "unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required" (Luke 12:48).

(9) Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted (or, better, in his exaltation).--There is no praise from the plain St. James for the pride which apes humility, nor the affectation which loves to be despised. If it please God to "exalt," as of old, "the humble and meek," then anew should be sung a magnificat to Him. The lowly-minded doubt of the Virgin Mary, "How shall this be?" (Luke 1:24), was not reproved by the angel; while the question of blunt incredulity on the part of Zacharias was severely punished (Luke 1:20), and this diverse treatment thus experienced was deserved in either case. Both doubted, yet quite differently, and she of the lower degree rejoiced most in God her Saviour for regarding the lowliness of His handmaiden (Luke 1:47-48). Willingness thus for Christ's service, whether it be great or little, is the right condition of mind for all disciples, and specially the young, with readiness, nay gladness, for "duty in that state of life unto which it shall please God to call them." Pleasure will be naturally felt by most at the prospect of a rise in the world; but there are some finer spirits who fain would shrink from anything like exaltation; and to these the kindly Apostle writes that they may take heart, and not fear the greater dangers which of necessity accompany a higher call.

Verses 9-11. - A very difficult passage, three interpretations of which are given, none of them entirely satisfactory or free from difficulties.

(1) "But let the brother of low degree glory in his high estate [i.e. his Christian dignity]; but let the rich [brother glory] in his humiliation" (i.e. in being poor of spirit, Matthew 5:3).

(2) "But let the brother," etc. (as before); "but the rich man [rejoices] in his humiliation" (i.e. in what is really his degradation; cf. "whose glory is in their shame," Philippians 3:19).

(3) "But let the brother,... but let the rich [grieve] in his humiliation." The ellipse of ταπεινούσθω in this last is very harsh and unexampled, so that the choice really lies between (1) and (2). And against (1) it may be urged . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
The
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

brother
ἀδελφὸς (adelphos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 80: A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.

in humble circumstances
ταπεινὸς (tapeinos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5011: Humble, lowly, in position or spirit (in a good sense). Of uncertain derivation; depressed, i.e. humiliated.

should exult
Καυχάσθω (Kauchasthō)
Verb - Present Imperative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2744: To boast; I glory (exult) proudly. From some base akin to that of aucheo and euchomai; to vaunt.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

his
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

high position.
ὕψει (hypsei)
Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5311: Height, heaven; dignity, eminence. From a derivative of huper; elevation, i.e. altitude, the sky, or dignity.


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NT Letters: James 1:9 But let the brother in humble circumstances (Ja Jas. Jam)
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