James 1:12

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

The person who perseveres under trials is blessed, because when he has been approved by God, he will receive the crown of [never ending] life, which God has promised to those who love Him.

Cross References

Matthew 10:22

And you will be hated by everyone for being loyal to me. But the person who endures [this persecution by remaining faithful] to the end [of his life] is the one who will be saved [i.e., from spiritual and physical destruction].

Matthew 25:34

Then the King will say to those at His right side, ‘You who are blessed by my Father, come and receive the kingdom which has been prepared for you since the creation of the world,

Luke 6:22

You are blessed when men hate you and withdraw their fellowship from you and speak abusively about you and reject your name as evil, [all] for being loyal to the Son of man.

Romans 5:4

And [having such] hope keeps us from being disappointed, because God’s love [for us] has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who was given to us [by God].

Romans 8:28

And we know that God works out everything for the good of those who love Him and are called [to serve Him] in harmony with His purpose [for them].

1 Corinthians 2:9

But as it is written [Isa. 64:4], “The things which no eye saw or ear heard, and which did not [even] enter the mind of men, is what God has prepared for those who love Him.”

1 Corinthians 8:3

But if anyone loves God, that person is known by God.

1 Corinthians 9:25

And everyone who [strenuously] competes in athletic events exercises self-control during training. Now they do this to receive a laurel wreath that withers, but we [do it to receive] a lasting crown.

2 Timothy 2:15

Do your best to present yourself as a worker who is approved by God [and] does not have to be ashamed, [because you are] accurately handling [i.e., explaining] the message of truth.

2 Timothy 4:8

So, now there is a crown of righteousness reserved for me, which the Lord, who is a just Judge, will award me on that day [i.e., the Judgment Day], and not to me only, but also to everyone who has loved [the prospect of] His appearing.

Hebrews 10:32

But remember the earlier days when, after you were enlightened [to the truth], you endured a difficult struggle by having to suffer [much].

Hebrews 11:17

By [having] faith, when Abraham was tested [by God], he offered Isaac [as a sacrifice]. [Even though] he had received the promises [of having many descendants], he was ready to offer his only conceived [and eventually born] son,

Hebrews 12:5

And have you forgotten the exhortation that was addressed to you as sons? [Prov. 3:11f says], “My son, do not take the discipline of the Lord lightly, and do not get discouraged when He rebukes you.

Hebrews 6:15

And so, after waiting patiently, Abraham received what [God] had promised.

James 2:5

Listen, my dearly loved brothers; did not God choose those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be wealthy in faith and to inherit the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?

James 5:11

Notice that we consider those who endured [suffering with patience] to be blessed [by God]. You people have heard of Job’s patience and have seen what the Lord finally did [for him]. The Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

1 Peter 3:14

But even if you have to suffer for doing what was right, you still have [God’s] blessing. So, do not be afraid of the threats [of your persecutors], and do not let it worry you.

1 Peter 4:13

You should rejoice that you are sharing some of what Christ has suffered, so that you will get to rejoice all the more when He returns in His splendor.

1 Peter 4:14

If you are spoken against for being Christians, you have God’s blessing, because His glorious Holy Spirit rests upon you [to provide comfort, See John 14:16].

1 Peter 5:10

And the God who bestows every unearned favor [upon His people], who invited you to partake of His eternal splendor through Christ Jesus, will restore, confirm, strengthen and stabilize you people [in the faith], after you have gone through a brief time of suffering.

1 Peter 5:4

And when the Supreme Shepherd [i.e., Jesus] comes back, you will receive [for your effort] a glorious crown [of reward] that will never fade away [Note: The idea of “fading away” is suggested by the wilting of the laurel wreath bestowed on the winner of an athletic contest].

1 John 4:19

We love [God and others] because God has first loved us.

Revelation 2:10

Do not be afraid of the things you are about to suffer. [For] look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, so that you may be tested, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. [But], you should be faithful [to God] even to the point of dying [for Him], and I will give you the crown of [never ending] life.

Revelation 3:19

“I rebuke and discipline those I love, so be earnest and repent.

Revelation 3:21

The person who has victory [in the Christian life], I will grant him [the privilege of] sitting down with me on my throne, as I also had victory and sat down with my Father on His throne.