The verse doesn't just say the rich man's wealth will fade, but that he should rejoice in his humiliation. This means he finds joy not just when hardship strikes, but in adopting a humble mindset, recognizing his true lowliness before God, even amidst his riches. His wealth is as fleeting as a flower, and true joy comes from aligning himself with that fleeting reality, not with earthly possessions.
and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
English Standard Version (ESV)
James is addressing believers facing various trials, contrasting the humble brother who finds joy in his exaltation with the rich brother. He argues that the rich, too, should find a reason for rejoicing in their humiliation, not necessarily in losing their wealth, but in recognizing the transience of their riches, which are as fleeting as a wildflower.
The rich man is told to rejoice, but not in his wealth. What does it mean to glory in 'humiliation' when you're not poor?
James presents a stunning paradox: the rich man is to rejoice in his humiliation. This isn't about being brought low by poverty, but about adopting a posture of humility despite his wealth.
A Humble Heart in High Places
Think of it like this: the poor brother rejoices in his lowly circumstances, finding his identity in God. The rich brother, paradoxically, is called to rejoice in his humility—a humble disposition that recognizes his true worth isn't in his possessions, but in his relationship with God.
This is a profound shift in perspective. It's about seeing wealth not as a status symbol to be flaunted, but as a stewardship to be managed with a humble heart, recognizing that all we have comes from God and can be taken away. It echoes Jesus' teaching that the last will be first and the first will be last.
Why does James compare the rich man's situation to a flower of the grass? What does this vivid image reveal about earthly possessions?
James uses the powerful image of the 'flower of the grass' to describe the transience of wealth and worldly standing. This isn't just a pretty metaphor; it's a stark reminder of reality.
A Momentary Bloom
Think of a field of grass. It looks lush and vibrant, especially when dotted with small flowers. But this beauty is incredibly temporary. The heat of the sun, a harsh wind, or simply the passing of a day can make it wither and disappear.
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James employs this imagery to cut through any illusion of permanence that wealth might offer. It reminds us that riches are unstable, subject to loss, and ultimately cannot accompany us beyond this life. This understanding fuels the call for humility – if our ultimate security and value are not in fleeting things, then true joy must be found elsewhere.
Understand the original words
tapeinōsis · Greek Noun
The state of being brought low or humbled. For the believer, this often refers to the recognition of one's own limitations, the fleeting nature of worldly wealth, or the voluntary humility practiced for the sake of the gospel.
This passage vividly describes human life as fleeting, like the blooming flower of the field, directly paralleling James' imagery to emphasize the transience of all earthly glory and wealth.
Isaiah 40:6-7Here, the prophet likens all flesh to grass and its glory to the flower of the field, which withers and fades, echoing James' point that worldly riches are temporary and will inevitably pass away.
Matthew 6:29-30Jesus uses the imagery of wildflowers being clothed by God to illustrate that even the most beautiful and temporary things in nature are cared for, underscoring the ultimate insignificance and transience of earthly wealth compared to God's provision.
1 Peter 1:24Peter quotes Isaiah's comparison of human glory to grass and flowers, stating that all flesh is like it, reinforcing the theme that worldly possessions and status are temporary, just as James emphasizes for the rich.
ellicottJames 1:10: "But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away."
(10) But the rich, in that he is made low (or, better, in his humiliation ) . —And, on the other hand, let a change of state be a cause of joy to the rich man, hard though the effort thereto must confessedly be. There is an antithesis between his humiliation and the humility of “the brother of low degree:” “God putteth down one, and setteth up another” (Psalm 75:7). Such seems to be the pr…
clarkeJames 1:10: "But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away."
But the rich, in that he is made low - Εν τῃ ταπεινωσει· In his humiliation - in his being brought to the foot of the cross to receive, as a poor and miserable sinner, redemption through the blood of the cross: and especially let him rejoice in this, because all outward glory is only as the flower of the field, and, like that, will wither and perish.
The verse doesn't just say the rich man's wealth will fade, but that he should rejoice in his humiliation. This means he finds joy not just when hardship strikes, but in adopting a humble mindset, recognizing his true lowliness before God, even amidst his riches. His wealth is as fleeting as a flower, and true joy comes from aligning himself with that fleeting reality, not with earthly possessions.
James is addressing believers facing various trials, contrasting the humble brother who finds joy in his exaltation with the rich brother. He argues that the rich, too, should find a reason for rejoicing in their humiliation, not necessarily in losing their wealth, but in recognizing the transience of their riches, which are as fleeting as a wildflower.
James is addressing believers facing various trials, contrasting the humble brother who finds joy in his exaltation with the rich brother. He argues that the rich, too, should find a reason for rejoicing in their humiliation, not necessarily in losing their wealth, but in recognizing the transience of their riches, which are as fleeting as a wildflower.
"and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the m…" — The verse doesn't just say the rich man's wealth will fade, but that he should rejoice in his humiliation. This means he finds joy not just when hardship strikes, but in adopting a humble mindset,…
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Last reviewed October 2026
