John Calvin Commentary James 1:12

"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he hath been approved, he shall receive the crown of life, which [the Lord] promised to them that love him." — James 1:12 (ASV)

Blessed is the man. After applying consolation, he moderated the sorrow of those who were severely treated in this world, and again humbled the arrogance of the great. He now draws this conclusion: that they are happy who magnanimously endure troubles and other trials, so as to rise above them. The word "temptation" may indeed be understood differently, even as the stings of lusts that trouble the soul from within; but what is commended here, I believe, is fortitude of mind in enduring adversities. It is, however, a paradox that those to whom all things come according to their wishes are not happy, but rather those who are not overcome by evils.

For when he is tried. He gives a reason for the preceding sentence, for the crown follows the contest. If, then, it is our chief happiness to be crowned in the kingdom of God, it follows that the contests with which the Lord tries us are aids and helps to our happiness. Thus, the argument is from the end or the effect. Therefore, we conclude that the faithful are harassed by so many evils for this purpose: that their piety and obedience may be made manifest, and that they may thus finally be prepared to receive the crown of life.

But those who infer from this that by fighting we merit the crown reason absurdly, for since God has gratuitously appointed it for us, our fighting only renders us fit to receive it.

He adds that it is promised to those who love God. By speaking this way, he does not mean that human love is the cause of obtaining the crown (for God anticipates us with his gratuitous love), but he only intimates that the elect who love him alone are approved by God. He then reminds us that the conquerors of all temptations are those who love God, and that we do not fail in courage when we are tried for no other reason than because the love of the world prevails in us.