James 1:9

“Let the brother of low degree, etc.] By “the brother” is meant, not one in a natural, but in a spiritual relation; one of Christ's brethren, and who is of that family that is named of him; of the household of faith, and is in church communion: and whereas he is said to be of “low degree”, or “humble”, this regards not the affection of his mind, or his conduct and deportment, he being meek and lowly, and clothed with humility, as every brother is, or ought to be; but his outward state and condition, being, as to the things of this world, poor, and mean in his outward circumstances, and so humbled and afflicted. This appears from the rich man, who, in the next verse, is opposed unto him, and…”

“Translate, "But let the brother," &c. that is, the best remedy against double-mindedness is that Christian simplicity of spirit whereby the "brother," low in outward circumstances, may "rejoice" (answering to Jam 1:2) "in that he is exalted," namely, by being accounted a son and heir of God, his very sufferings being a pledge of his coming glory and crown (Jam 1:12), and the rich may rejoice "in that he is made low," by being stripped of his goods for Christ's sake [MENOCHIUS]; or in that he is made, by sanctified trials, lowly in spirit, which is true matter for rejoicing [GOMARUS]. The design of the Epistle is to reduce all things to an equable footing (Jam 2:1; Jam 5:13). The "low,"…”

“Let the brother of low degree - This verse seems to introduce a new topic, which has no other connection with what precedes than that the apostle is discussing the general subject of trials. Compare James 1:2. Turning from the consideration of trials in general, he passes to the consideration of a particular kind of trials, that which results from a change of circumstances in life, from poverty to affluence, and from affluence to poverty. The idea which seems to have been in the mind of the apostle is, that there is a great and important trial of faith in any reverse of circumstances; a trial in being elevated from poverty to riches, or in being depressed from a state of affluence to want.…”

“Let the brother - St James does not give this appellation to the rich. Of low degree - Poor and tempted. Rejoice - The most effectual remedy against doublemindedness. In that he is exalted - To be a child of God, and an heir of glory. James 1:10”

“1:9-11 Poverty and wealth are a recurring theme (cp. ch 2; 4:13–5:11). James does not promise material wealth to the righteous poor but announces a future reversal in heaven. 1:9 something to boast about: In the New Testament, boasting is usually viewed negatively (3:14; 4:16; Eph 2:9), but here it means boasting about what God has done (Jas 2:5; Rom 15:18; 1 Cor 1:31; Gal 6:14).”

“the brother: Jam 2:5, Jam 2:6; Deu 15:7, Deu 15:9, Deu 15:11; Psa 62:9; Pro 17:5, Pro 19:1; Luk 1:52 rejoice: or, glory, Jer 9:23, Jer 9:24; Rom 5:2, Rom 5:3; Phi 3:3 \*Gr. in: Jam 2:5; Sa1 2:8; Psa 113:7, Psa 113:8; Luk 9:48, Luk 10:20; Rom 8:17; Co2 6:10; Phi 3:14; Pe1 2:9; Jo1 3:1-3; Rev 2:9, Rev 5:9, Rev 5:10, Rev 7:9, Rev 7:10 James 1:10”