Albert Barnes Commentary James 1:2

"Count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into manifold temptations;" — James 1:2 (ASV)

My brethren. Not brethren as Jews, but as Christians. Compare to James 2:1. Count it all joy. Regard it as a thing to rejoice in; a matter which should afford you happiness. You are not to consider it as a punishment, a curse, or a calamity, but as a fit subject for rejoicing. See Barnes on Matthew 5:12.

When you fall into various temptations. On the meaning of the word temptations, see Barnes on Matthew 4:1.

It is now commonly used in the sense of placing allurements before others to induce them to sin, and in this sense the word seems to be used in James 1:13-14. Here, however, the word is used in the sense of trials—namely, by persecution, poverty, or calamity of any kind.

These trials cannot be called direct inducements or allurements to sin; instead, they test faith and show whether the one who is tried is inclined to adhere to his faith in God or to apostatize. They align with temptations, in the usual sense, insofar as they test people's religion. They differ from temptations, strictly speaking, because they are not presented to the mind for the express purpose of inducing people to sin. In this sense, it is true that God never tempts people (James 1:13–14). On the sentiment in the passage before us, see Barnes on 1 Peter 1:6–7.

The word "various" here refers to the different kinds of trials they might experience—sickness, poverty, bereavement, persecution, and so on. They were to count it a matter of joy that their religion was subjected to anything that tried it. It is well for us to have the reality of our religion tested, in whatever way it may be done.

Related passages include Matthew 5:12 and 1 Peter 4:13–16. (Note: In this context, "temptations" refers to "various trials.")