Read vv. 1-12
Briefly review what we studied in vv. 1-8
Read again vv. 9-12
Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
Here James continues to remind believers how to consider their condition before God in faith.
Look at vv. 9 and 10.
May be helpful to define a few words:
- exaltation – elevated state; state of greatness or dignity.
- humiliation – descent from an elevated state or rank to one that is low or humble
- Given the context, which definition should we choose for boast?
- To brag or vaunt one’s self; to make an ostentatious display in speech, of one’s own worth, property or actions. (Eph. 2:9); or,
- To glory; to speak with laudable pride and ostentation of meritorious persons or things.
James is calling the rich and poor brothers to glory in and give praise for their condition.
Also, let’s think about what is meant by lowly and rich:
We can see that “lowly” is referring to one who is low in social and economic standing. Since immediately in the next statement he speaks of the rich who is understood to be high in social and economic standing.
Since the lowly brother and the rich both are living out their faith in this world, let’s consider how the world in its “wisdom” esteems the rich and the poor:
- Proverbs 19:6,7 – the wealthy has many bidding for his attention because of what he can give them; the poor man is hated by his family and his friends get as far away from him as they can – he and his words have no value in their eyes.
- Proverbs 22:7 – the rich are considered more powerful than the poor; the poor are slaves of the rich.
Back to James. 😊
Consider what God says in his wisdom in verses 9 and 10:
Compare the lowly and the rich brother. Both can boast in their condition, but what is the difference in their boasting?
The lowly boasts in his exaltation; the rich in his humiliation.
One is being raised up in estimation and the other is being lowered.
What is the reason we are given (see verse 10)? because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. (note: pass away is a euphemism for death)
Then we are given more to understand the reason (see verse 11).
James uses the life and death of the flower of the grass to show how it will be for the life and death of the rich man. The sun comes up and then with its heat causes the grass to dry up. The momentary beauty of the grass is gone. The rich man stands out to the world as he lives the life only one like he can because of his wealth and high standing. As he is doing all that he dies. Like the flower of the grass, the beauty he had is gone. He is the same as the lowly man in his death. He’s gone.
For the lowly man, his standing in the world is low. However, when he dies, he is the same as the rich man. He’s gone.
In their beginning and in their end, rich and poor are the same: both are born and then die (Ecclesiastes 3:2); both are made by God (Proverbs 22:2); and both will die and face judgment (Hebrews 9:27).
Also, consider these scriptures:
The lowly boast in his exaltation
- Luke 21:1-4 – Christ exalts the poor widow by considering her gift greater.
- James 2:5 – God has chosen to honor the poor by including them in the promises he has made to all who love him [note: We can study more on this when we get to chapter 2 😊]
The rich boast in his humiliation
- Luke 18:18-27 – If being saved depended on giving up all that one had, since they have more, it would be more difficult for the rich (v.24). It would be impossible (v.25). As it is impossible for anyone (v.26). But not impossible for God (v.27) [note: There is more to this passage. At the risk of oversimplifying, I just commented on what seems to relate to what we are considering in James.]
- 1 Timothy 6:17-19 – The rich are commanded not to be proud of their wealth and lord it over others. Not to set their hope on their wealth but on God. Their storing up for the future and their true life is in being rich in good works and giving willingly and generously since God has provided for them to do this.
Back to James 😊
Remember that James is giving this command to boast in the context of the faith both have been given in Christ:
- Rich and poor alike because of sin will die; but have been given eternal life in Christ as a gift of God. (Romans 6:23)
- Both have been chosen by God in love to be blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus and adopted as sons in order to share in his inheritance. No one is worthy to receive this or brings anything to earn it. (Ephesians 1: 3-6 and 2: 8,9)
In verse 12, it seems like James has provided a conclusion and again, a reminder. Faith in Christ is the great leveler. Both rich and poor are blessed the same with receiving the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. Those who love him because he first loved them (1 John 4:9,10).
The lowly is exalted (raised up) in his reward in Christ and the rich is humiliated (lowered). In Christ, both lowly and rich have been humbled (a.k.a. humiliated) in being given what they both have neither deserved nor earned. Pride is taken away and both are brought to repentance and submission to God.
Read 1 Corinthians 1: 26-31 – All believers, high and low, are called to boast in the Lord.