Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
Last time, we only looked at this verse briefly as a conclusion to our study of verses 9-11.
This time, I’d like to take time to consider this verse on its own (not on its own entirely, of course, as we consider it in the context of James and the whole of God’s Word 😊). We will explore the value it has for us as we live out our faith in Christ as it teaches us the truth about God and ourselves.
We will look at the whole verse, then consider each part of this verse so that we may have more understanding when we read it.
Read verse 12 again.
A few observations and comments:
- How timely and how timeless is this verse. The truth it contains was there for the people of old to be taught. It was there more fully (because of Christ and his work) and was applied to the believers in the time of James and to those who came after. And now it is here for us who believe.
In the first part of the verse, we see the already: what we are and what we now have in Christ. In the second part of the verse (following the for), we see the not yet (or the yet to come): what we will be and what we will have. It is good for us to keep these truths in mind. The Lord, himself, continually speaks of these things in his word. As we study his word, he reminds us of the truth, preserving us in our faith that we may persevere to the end.
- The manner of speech in this verse reminds me of the words of our Lord when he was teaching his disciples on the mountain. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3) See Matthew 5:1-12 for the context.
We know that James wrote the scripture as he was carried along by the Holy Spirit. So, this is certainly here in this place in scripture by the will of God and for his purposes. We also know that James was a real person who is our brother in the Lord. He may have heard Jesus speak in this way or heard Christ’s words from one of the Apostles as they taught. It is encouraging to think of how God prepared him to write this epistle.
Blessed is the man…
From our previous studies and the context, we know man here includes both men and women.
What is meant by the word blessed?
We look to Jesus’ teaching in Matthew. Literally, the word means happy or blissful. This is more than outward happiness in the level of our emotions but is a deeper happiness. It is a well-being in our soul.
The one who is blessed is one who is favored by God. The understanding we receive from other scripture is that this favor is according to God’s own will and pleasure, not because of any merit of our own (Ephesians 1:5,6 for example).
As we consider this in the context here of James, the blessed person is one who has true faith. Faith that is from God. Faith that will not fail.
…who remains steadfast under trial…
Back when we studied verses 2 through 4, we looked at how steadfastness is produced by the testing of our faith. We learned that it is God who is testing us that we might persevere. Through our perseverance showing his faithfulness as he preserves us proving that we have true faith. Also, as we come through a certain trial with our faith intact, we can be happy in our condition.
We are also blessed as we look forward to what is yet to come.
…for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him.
Those who love him are those God has loved first; those he has called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28; 1 John 4:19).
The crown of life here can be understood as the crown which is life: eternal life. Paul refers to it as the crown of righteousness in 2 Timothy 4:7, 8:
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
Like the crown given to a victor in a fight or a race, those who love God (those who look forward to the second coming of Christ, the day of his appearing, that final Day when he will come in glory and all will be judged), will receive eternal life as their reward.
God, who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, has promised this and will make sure that it is so.
For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. [John 6:40]
Truly, truly I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. [John 6:47]
In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. [Ephesians 1:13,14]
Read verse 12 once more.
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
There is great assurance from God in the preservation of our salvation (Philippians 1:6). And in the certainty of his promises to us. Confident in the knowledge of who he is and how he works, and who he says we are, those who are blessed in Christ Jesus, we are the ones who have true happiness. A hope that does not disappoint (Romans 5:5).
And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. [1 John 5:20]