It may surprise us, given Scriptures warning about pride, arrogance and boasting that New Testament authors, including Paul as well as James do argue that there is a place for boasting. The surprising twists concern who can boast and the basis of their boast.
A look at the text (Read James 1:9-11)
James contrasts the lowly or poor brother with the rich brother. Both should boast, or rejoice in different things. The poor man “in his exaltation” and the rich man “in his humiliation.”
The first person is introduced as a brother, indicating that they are definitely a believer. The sense is that the poor or lowly person is already going through their trial and so a day will come when they will overcome and receive their reward. That’s what they should boast in (v9).
The rich person is not introduced as a brother, leaving open the question of their spiritual state. He appears to be enjoying comfort and success now. They should not boast in that seeing it as a mark of their status and their relationship with God. James does not believe in a prosperity Gospel. Rather, the surprise is that they are to look forward to a day when they will be brought low, when all their wealth, power and status will be stripped away. That is what they are to boast about. This is the surprising twist (v10a).
The reason for this is that they are called to recognise the fleeting, temporary and fragile nature of success and prosperity. James compares them to wild flowers that quickly shrivel and fade under the scorch of the sun. The fading away may refer both to the eventual loss of prosperity or even to death itself (v10b -11).[1]
Digging Deeper
The call for the rich man to boast “in his humiliation” seems a strange idea. It seems almost as though he is being called to take delight and pride in his eventual judgement and condemnation, especially if we are to presume that they are not a believer.
Here is what I think is going on. The key, as I suggested above is to see that this is about evaluation. Both men are to look forward and instead of evaluating themselves based on their presence circumstances, they are to make their assessment based on what is to come. So, first of all, we may possibly trace an element of irony in James’ advice to boast about humiliation. He’s in effect saying what do you really have to boast about? What do you have to show for all your so called success at the end?” His thinking here is rooted in the teaching of the teacher in Ecclesiastes.[2]
The rich man should not put confidence in his riches. They will fader and perish and so, he will either die with his riches, still trying to hold onto them and so meet the same fate, or he will be brought low before then. If he loses grip on his prosperity before he dies and that forces him to learn to cling to Christ, then he will find himself like his poor brother, exalted and raised up on Resurrection Day. In other words this is:
“a ‘heroic boast of believers’, encouraging ‘God’s people to look towards the future when riches will mean little and being in God’s plan will mean a great deal.’”[3]
A Look at ourselves
Where is your confidence right now? Is it in your present circumstances, your status, popularity, economic worth? Or are you looking forward in hope, knowing that Christ has bought you for himself and so you will be kept safe through trials and even through death to the other side?
[1] William Varner notes that in verse 10b, the subject of “fade away” could either be the rich man himself (explicit), or his riches, he prefers the latter (implicit. Varner, James, 75-6. However, v 11 seems to point to the rich man himself fading/passing away, even in the middle of his activities.
[2] Although Blomberg and Kamell are sceptical as to whether the strong irony of asking someone ‘to take pride in what amounts to his own eternal condemnation” is credible. Blomberg and Kamell, James, 58. I however think irony is possible in the terms suggested above noting that the jury is out as to whether James is speaking of eternal judgement. Varner certainly does not think that thr words used point to eternal condemnation. Varner, James, 75-6.
[3] Drake Williams, cited in Blomberg and Kamell, James, 58.
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