James 1:10
New International Version
But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower.

New Living Translation
And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field.

English Standard Version
and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away.

Berean Standard Bible
But the one who is rich should exult in his low position, because he will pass away like a flower of the field.

Berean Literal Bible
and he who is rich, in his humiliation, because he will pass away like a flower of grass.

King James Bible
But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.

New King James Version
but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away.

New American Standard Bible
but the rich person is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away.

NASB 1995
and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away.

NASB 1977
and let the rich man glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away.

Legacy Standard Bible
and the rich man is to boast in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away.

Amplified Bible
and the rich man is to glory in being humbled [by trials revealing human frailty, knowing true riches are found in the grace of God], for like the flower of the grass he will pass away.

Christian Standard Bible
but let the rich boast in his humiliation because he will pass away like a flower of the field.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
but the one who is rich should boast in his humiliation because he will pass away like a flower of the field.

American Standard Version
and the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.

Contemporary English Version
But any who are rich should be glad when God makes them humble. Rich people will disappear like wild flowers

English Revised Version
and the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Rich believers should be proud because being rich should make them humble. Rich people will wither like flowers.

Good News Translation
and the rich Christians must be glad when God brings them down. For the rich will pass away like the flower of a wild plant.

International Standard Version
and a rich person in his having been humbled, because he will fade away like a wild flower.

Majority Standard Bible
But the one who is rich should exult in his low position, because he will pass away like a flower of the field.

NET Bible
But the rich person's pride should be in his humiliation, because he will pass away like a wildflower in the meadow.

New Heart English Bible
and the rich, in that he is made humble, because like the flower in the grass, he will pass away.

Webster's Bible Translation
But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.

Weymouth New Testament
but a rich man should rejoice in being brought low, for like flowers among the herbage rich men will pass away.

World English Bible
and the rich, in that he is made humble, because like the flower in the grass, he will pass away.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
but the rich in his becoming low, because he will pass away as a flower of grass;

Berean Literal Bible
and he who is rich, in his humiliation, because he will pass away like a flower of grass.

Young's Literal Translation
and the rich in his becoming low, because as a flower of grass he shall pass away;

Smith's Literal Translation
And the rich, in his humiliation: for as the flower of the grass he shall pass by.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the rich, in his being low; because as the flower of the grass shall he pass away.

Catholic Public Domain Version
and a rich one, in his humiliation, for he will pass away like the flower of the grass.

New American Bible
and the rich one in his lowliness, for he will pass away “like the flower of the field.”

New Revised Standard Version
and the rich in being brought low, because the rich will disappear like a flower in the field.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Let the rich man rejoice in his humbleness: because as the flower of the grass, so shall he pass away.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And the rich man in his humiliation, because as a blossom of the grass, so he passes away.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
but he that is rich, in his humiliation; because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.

Godbey New Testament
and the rich man, in his humility: because as the flower of the grass he will pass away.

Haweis New Testament
but the rich, in his abasement: for as the flower of grass he shall pass away.

Mace New Testament
let the rich be humbled by his instability: for he is as transitory as a flower in the field.

Weymouth New Testament
but a rich man should rejoice in being brought low, for like flowers among the herbage rich men will pass away.

Worrell New Testament
and the rich, in his humiliation; because, as a flower of grass, he shall pass away.

Worsley New Testament
because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Rejoicing in Trials
9The 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. 11For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its flower falls and its beauty is lost. So too, the rich man will fade away in the midst of his pursuits.…

Cross References
1 Peter 1:24
For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,

Isaiah 40:6-8
A voice says, “Cry out!” And I asked, “What should I cry out?” “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field. / The grass withers and the flowers fall when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass. / The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”

Psalm 103:15-16
As for man, his days are like grass—he blooms like a flower of the field; / when the wind passes over, it vanishes, and its place remembers it no more.

1 John 2:17
The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.

Matthew 6:19-21
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Luke 12:16-21
Then He told them a parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced an abundance. / So he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, since I have nowhere to store my crops?’ / Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and will build bigger ones, and there I will store up all my grain and my goods. ...

Proverbs 23:4-5
Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to restrain yourself. / When you glance at wealth, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.

Ecclesiastes 5:10-11
He who loves money is never satisfied by money, and he who loves wealth is never satisfied by income. This too is futile. / When good things increase, so do those who consume them; what then is the profit to the owner, except to behold them with his eyes?

Jeremiah 9:23-24
This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches. / But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice and righteousness on the earth—for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.

1 Timothy 6:17
Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.

Job 14:1-2
“Man, who is born of woman, is short of days and full of trouble. / Like a flower, he comes forth, then withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure.

Psalm 49:16-17
Do not be afraid when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases. / For when he dies, he will carry nothing away; his abundance will not follow him down.

Matthew 19:23-24
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. / Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

Mark 10:23-25
Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” / And the disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! / It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

Luke 18:24-25
Seeing the man’s sadness, Jesus said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! / Indeed, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”


Treasury of Scripture

But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.

in.

Isaiah 57:15
For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

Isaiah 66:2
For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

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

because.

James 4:14
Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

Job 14:2
He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.

Psalm 37:2,35,36
For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb…

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End Flower Flowering Flowers Glory Grass Herbage Humble Humiliation Low Position Pride Rejoice Rich Wealth Wild
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End Flower Flowering Flowers Glory Grass Herbage Humble Humiliation Low Position Pride Rejoice Rich Wealth Wild
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.














But the rich
The term "rich" in this context refers to those who possess material wealth and resources. In the Greco-Roman world, wealth was often seen as a sign of divine favor, yet James challenges this notion. The Greek word used here, "plousios," implies not just financial abundance but also the potential for pride and self-reliance that can accompany it. Historically, the early Christian community was diverse, including both wealthy and poor members, and James addresses the spiritual dangers that wealth can pose.

should exult
The word "exult" is translated from the Greek "kauchaomai," which means to boast or take pride. However, James uses it in a paradoxical sense, suggesting that the rich should find joy not in their wealth but in their "humiliation." This is a call to a counter-cultural attitude, where true joy is found in spiritual humility rather than material success. The early church valued humility as a virtue, contrasting sharply with the societal norms of the time.

in their humiliation
"Humiliation" here is derived from the Greek "tapeinosis," which can mean lowliness or abasement. This is not about shame but about recognizing one's true position before God. For the rich, this involves understanding the transient nature of wealth and the need for dependence on God. In the historical context, this would have been a radical message, as wealth was often equated with honor and status.

because they will pass away
The phrase "will pass away" is a translation of the Greek "parerchomai," indicating something that is temporary or fleeting. James emphasizes the impermanence of earthly riches, reminding believers that material wealth is not eternal. This echoes the teachings of Jesus, who warned against storing up treasures on earth (Matthew 6:19-21). The early Christians were encouraged to focus on eternal values rather than temporal possessions.

like a flower of the field
This simile draws from the imagery of the Hebrew Scriptures, particularly the Psalms and Isaiah, where human life and glory are often compared to grass or flowers that wither and fade (Psalm 103:15-16, Isaiah 40:6-8). The "flower of the field" symbolizes beauty and vitality that are short-lived. In the arid climate of the Middle East, wildflowers bloom briefly and then quickly perish, serving as a poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of life and wealth. This imagery would resonate deeply with James's audience, reinforcing the call to prioritize spiritual over material wealth.

(10) But the rich, in that he is made low (or, better, in his humiliation).--And, on the other hand, let a change of state be a cause of joy to the rich man, hard though the effort thereto must confessedly be.

There is an antithesis between his humiliation and the humility of "the brother of low degree:" "God putteth down one, and setteth up another" (Psalm 75:7). Such seems to be the primary meaning of this passage, though, doubtless, there is a more spiritual significance underlying, which would teach the poorest that he may be "rich toward God," and win from the most wealthy the acknowledgment of his deep poverty beside the Lord of all "good treasure" (Deuteronomy 28:12). "I know thy poverty," said the Spirit unto the Church in Smyrna, "but thou art rich" (Revelation 2:9); and to the Laodiceans, "Thou sayest, I am rich . . ., but thou art poor" (Revelation 3:17).

Because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.--No more simple and striking simile of human instability and vanity can be found than "the grass of the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven" (Matthew 6:30); and the thought suggests a picture to the mind of the writer, which he draws with strong and yet most tender lines. Our English version misses the setting of his graceful idyl, the exquisite beauty of which can hardly be transferred from the Greek; but the following attempt is at least nearer the original:-- . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

the [one who is]
(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.

rich
πλούσιος (plousios)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4145: Rich, abounding in, wealthy; subst: a rich man. From ploutos; wealthy; figuratively, abounding with.

[should exult] 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.

low position,
ταπεινώσει (tapeinōsei)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5014: Abasement (in spirit), low condition (in circumstances). From tapeinoo; depression.

because
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

he will pass away
παρελεύσεται (pareleusetai)
Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3928: From para and erchomai; to come near or aside, i.e. To approach, go by, perish or neglect, avert.

like
ὡς (hōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.

a flower
ἄνθος (anthos)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 438: Bloom, possibly a reference to the bright flowers, such as poppies (among the grass). A primary word; a blossom.

of the field.
χόρτου (chortou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 5528: Grass, herbage, growing grain, hay. Apparently a primary word; a 'court' or 'garden', i.e. herbage or vegetation.


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NT Letters: James 1:10 And the rich in that he (Ja Jas. Jam)
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