NOTES for Jam 1:1-15
James addresses the twelve tribes in the Dispersion. From ancient times this expression had designated the Jewish people, but are we to understand that James is addressing only Christians of Jewish origin? Since the content of the epistle concerns all Christians, we may understand the twelve tribes as the brothers and sisters who make up the Church, the people of God of the New Covenant.
At first, the call to rejoice in trials makes a strange impression. One can, of course, find reason for joy in the thought that if the powers of darkness attack you, this means you do not belong to them. But such an awareness can lead to self-satisfaction, then to self-deception and proud self-exaltation—and that is itself a satanic trap. Thus we should rejoice not in trials, but in the fact that the Lord gives us the strength to deal with them and withstand temptations. We should not fear them and lose our heads in terror, but recognize them in time and be ready to accept help from above.