James · Chapter 1 · Strength
James 1:12 — Bible Verse Meaning & Context
For the day that asks more than you feel ready to give.
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Both translations, side by side
WEB · World English Bible
"Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to those who love him."
KJV · King James Version
"Blessed3107 is the man435 that3739 endureth5278 temptation3986: for3754 when he is tried1384 1096, he shall receive2983 the crown4735 of life2222, which3739 the Lord2962 hath promised1861 to them that love25 him846."
How the translations differ: The WEB is a modern public-domain revision of the 1901 ASV; the KJV dates to 1611. The KJV uses that, endureth, tried, shall, while the WEB renders these as who, endures, has, been. Both translate the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text — the differences are stylistic, not theological.
In context
James 1:12 in James 1
A Bible verse rarely stands alone. Here is James 1:12 read with the verses immediately before and after — the surrounding flow of James 1. Read the full chapter →
- v.10 and the rich, in that he is made humble, because like the flower in the grass, he will pass away.
- v.11 For the sun arises with the scorching wind, and withers the grass, and the flower in it falls, and the beauty of its appearance perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in his pursuits.
- v.12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to those who love him.
- v.13 Let no man say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God,” for God can’t be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one.
- v.14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed.
Book background
About the Book of James
- Testament
- New Testament
- Genre
- General epistle
- Author
- James, half-brother of Jesus and leader of the Jerusalem church
- Date written
- c. 45–50 AD (possibly the earliest NT book)
- Audience
- Jewish Christians scattered across the Roman world
- Chapters
- 5
James is the New Testament's wisdom book — practical, direct, and full of pithy imperatives. It tests genuine faith by visible works ("faith without works is dead" — 2:17), warns about the tongue, demands care for the poor, urges patience in trials, and insists on real-world holiness.
Setting: Written from Jerusalem in the church's earliest decade.
Key themes: wisdom · works · speech · patience · practical faith
Memorisation aid
How to memorise James 1:12
James 1:12 contains 29 words in 4 clauses. Learn one clause at a time, then chain them. The first-letter mnemonic (FLM) under each clause is a memory hook — once you can speak the FLM from memory, the full clause follows.
- 1
Blessed is the man who endures temptation
BITMWE
- 2
for when he has been approved
FWHHBA
- 3
he will receive the crown of life
HWRTCO
- 4
which the Lord promised to those who love him.
WTLPTT
Frequently asked
FAQ about James 1:12
What does James 1:12 say?
James 1:12 reads: "Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to those who love him." — from the New Testament, James (General epistle). The full verse is shown above with both the World English Bible (WEB) and King James Version (KJV) translations side by side.
What book of the Bible is James 1:12 in?
James 1:12 is in the book of James, traditionally attributed to James, half-brother of Jesus and leader of the Jerusalem church and written around c. 45–50 AD (possibly the earliest NT book). James is general epistle in the New Testament, originally addressed to Jewish Christians scattered across the Roman world. Best known for "faith without works is dead".
What is James 1:12 about?
James 1:12 is primarily a Bible verse about Strength. Within James, James is the New Testament's wisdom book — practical, direct, and full of pithy imperatives. Read the full passage above with surrounding context.
What is the difference between James 1:12 in WEB and KJV?
James 1:12 in the World English Bible (WEB) reads: "Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to those who love him.". The King James Version (KJV) reads: "Blessed3107 is the man435 that3739 endureth5278 temptation3986: for3754 when he is tried1384 1096, he shall receive2983 the crown4735 of life2222, which3739 the Lord2962 hath promised1861 to them that love25 him846.". The WEB is a modern public-domain translation that updates the KJV's 1611 English while keeping a similar formal-equivalence style. Both render the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text.
How long is James 1:12?
James 1:12 is 29 words in the WEB translation (155 characters), broken into 4 clauses. It is a longer verse, often broken into smaller phrases for memorisation. Estimated reading time is about 9 seconds.
How can I memorise James 1:12?
To memorise James 1:12, split it into its 4 natural clauses and learn one at a time. Repeat the full verse out loud five times, then write it from memory. Saving the verse as a photo wallpaper using our verse image studio helps daily review — the visual association with a memorable background dramatically improves recall.
Why does James 1:12 matter in James?
James is the New Testament's wisdom book — practical, direct, and full of pithy imperatives. It tests genuine faith by visible works ("faith without works is dead" — 2:17), warns about the tongue, demands care for the poor, urges patience in trials, and insists on real-world holiness. James 1:12 sits within this larger story — James as a whole emphasises wisdom, works, speech.
How can I apply James 1:12 today?
Many readers use James 1:12 as a daily reminder verse — saving it as a phone wallpaper, sharing it on Pinterest, or memorising it for prayer. The verse studio on this page lets you download James 1:12 on 52 different backgrounds for free. Pair the verse with the surrounding chapter context shown above to understand its full meaning before applying it.
More designs
10 verses to read next
A fresh set of verses every visit — each on its own photo background. Tap any card to open the full study page.
-
Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.”
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-
Joshua 1:9
“Haven’t I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.””
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-
Isaiah 41:10
“Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the…”
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-
Isaiah 40:31
“But those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and no…”
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-
Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid or scared of them; for Yahweh your God himself is who goes with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you.””
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-
Psalms 27:1
“By David. Yahweh is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? Yahweh is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?”
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-
Psalms 46:1
“For the Chief Musician. By the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Read context →
-
2 Corinthians 12:9
“He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses,…”
Read context →
-
Psalm 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Read context →
-
Deuteronomy 31:8
“Yahweh himself is who goes before you. He will be with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be discouraged.””
Read context →
More featured verses in James 1
Read full chapter →
James 1:2
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various temptations,”
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James 1:3
“knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.”
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James 1:5
“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach; and it will be given to him.”
Read context →
James 1:17
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning shadow.”
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More featured verses in James
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James 5:14-15
“Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the assembly, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord, and the pra…”
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James 5:16
“Confess your offenses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective.”
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James 4:8
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
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