ACC ~ James 1 v12

DEFYING TRIALS. SULPICIUS SEVERUS: Disasters are the common lot of the saints, who must suffer them. It is by enduring them and overcoming them that the virtue of the righteous has always been noticeable. With invincible strength they have defied all trials—the heavier the sufferings they endured, the more courageous were their victories. LETTER TO EUSEBIUS.

ABLE TO HANDLE ANYTHING. DIDYMUS THE BLIND: James does all he can to encourage people to bear their trials with joy, as a burden which is bearable, and says that perfect patience consists in bearing things for their own sake, not for the hope of some better reward elsewhere. He nevertheless tries to persuade his hearers to rely on the promise that their present state will be put right. The person who has fought the hard battles will be perfectly able to handle anything. Someone who comes through his troubles in this way will be duly prepared to recieve his reward, which is the crown of life prepared by God for those who love him. COMMENTARY ON JAMES.

THE CROWN AWAITS. CHRYSOSTOM: We see no garments or cloaks, but we see crowns more valuable than any gold, than any contest prizes or rewards, and ten thousand blessings stored up for those who live upright and virtuous lives on earth. ON THE INCOMPREHENSIBLE NATURE OF GOD. 6.7.

THE REWARD OF VIRTUE. BEDE: If anyone is so zealous for continence or good works that he neglects to seek the rewards of eternal recompense in return for them, that person may indeed appear to have a fine linen miter on his head, but he does not have little crowns, for although he certainly displays the image of virtue before other human beings, he does not acquire the reward of virtue with the Lord. ON THE TABERNACLE AND ITS VESSELS 3.8.118.

FAITHFUL UNTIL DEATH. BEDE: This verse is reminiscent of Revelation [2:10]: “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” CONCERNING THE EPISTLE OF ST. JAMES.

Jas