Boast (9-11): We are to boast[1] about the right things. James points out that those who have very little in this life are to boast in their lofty spiritual position. They ought to say: “I am a child of God,” “I am a co-heir with Christ,” “I have every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,” “The nearness of God is my good.”[2] But those who have much in this life (“the rich man”), are not to boast in their wealth (as the world would[3]), but in the transience of this life, which looks to their imminent presence with the Lord, exceedingly better than the fading stuff of this life. They should say: “this is all just stuff,” “nothing here lasts forever,” “being with Christ is much better than this life.”[4] We are to have the right boast, whether earthly rich or earthly poor.
Salvation (12): James also reminds us that true bliss is found in salvation (“the crown of life”).[5] Hence, the man of bliss is the one who perseveres under trial,[6] since endurance is proof positive that his faith is genuine and his salvation certain.[7] James also points out that it is those who love the Lord who are saved (John 14:23).[8] We who love the Lord endure trials, holding fast to the Lord’s promise of future glory.[9] How happy are those who are saved!
[1] “glory in [kau-cha-o-mai (καυχάομαι)]” is to “boast” (1 Cor. 1:29; Gal. 6:14) or to “exult” (Rom. 5:2, 3, 11).
[2] Cf. in order, John 1:12; Rom. 8:17; Eph. 1:3; Psalm 73:28.
[3] Cf. 1 John 2:16. Far be it from us to boast in what earthly things we possess, when they are all rubbish in comparison to gaining the Lord (Phil. 3:7-8; Psalm 73:25-26).
[4] Cf. in order, 1 Pet. 1:4; Matt. 6:19; 2 Cor. 5:6-8; Phil 1:21-23. We are to leverage our material possessions toward eternal things (cf. Matt. 6:20-21, 33; 1 Tim. 6:17-18; Luke 12:19-21).
[5] Cf. Rev. 2:10. Scripture elsewhere also describes eternal life in terms of a crown (2 Tim. 4:8; Rev. 3:11).
[6] This could be either poverty (1:9) or any other trial (“various trials” of 1:2), all a “testing of your faith” (1:3).
[7] Those who are saved persevere. Cf. Matt. 10:22; 24:13; 2 Tim. 2:12; Heb. 10:36-39.
[8] True believers love the Lord: John 8:42; Rom. 8:28-30; 1 Cor. 16:22; Eph. 6:24; 1 Pet. 1:8.
[9] Eternal life is future glory (2 Cor. 4:17; Phil. 3:20-21; 1 Thess. 2:12; 2 Thess. 2:14; 1 Pet. 1:7).