The Meaning of James 4:9 Explained

James 4:9

KJV: Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.

YLT: be exceeding afflicted, and mourn, and weep, let your laughter to mourning be turned, and the joy to heaviness;

Darby: Be wretched, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.

ASV: Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Be afflicted,  and  mourn,  and  weep:  let your  laughter  be turned  to  mourning,  and  [your] joy  to  heaviness. 

What does James 4:9 Mean?

Verse Meaning

James was calling readers who had compromised with the world by following hedonism to get right with God. There is laughter and joy in the pursuit of personal desires, but we must abandon these in the process of repenting. James was not saying Christians must be constantly miserable, mourning, weeping, and gloomy. These are only the evidences of repentance from a formerly sinful attitude and lifestyle (cf. Matthew 5:3-4).

Context Summary

James 4:1-10 - "draw Nigh To God"
The Apostle returns to "the jealousy and faction" of the previous chapter, James 3:14, and says that these evils are traceable to lust, that is, to inordinate desire. The restless inward war is the prolific parent of failure in speech and act. If we would pray more and better, we should soon find the inner fires dying down.
In James 4:5, r.v., margin, we learn that God has placed His Spirit within us, and that He yearns for complete control over our hearts. He can best overcome inordinate desire and teach us how to pray. God wants more of us. His love is insatiable in its yearning for every room and cupboard of our inner life, and He is ever wishful to give more grace.
There are four conditions which we must fulfill, if God is to have full possession:
1.We must be subject to the will of God, James 4:7;
2.We must draw nigh to God, James 4:8;
3.We must cleanse our hands and purify our hearts, James 4:8;
4.We must humble ourselves in His sight, James 4:10.
Then God will fill the soul, the sluice gates of which are open to Him. [source]

Chapter Summary: James 4

1  We are to strive against covetousness;
4  intemperance;
5  pride;
11  detraction and rash judgment of others;
13  and not to be boastful of our future plans

Greek Commentary for James 4:9

Be afflicted [ταλαιπωρησατε]
First aorist active imperative ταλαιπωρεω — talaipōreō old verb from ταλαιπωρος — talaipōros (Romans 7:24), to endure toils, here only in N.T. Cf. ταλαιπωριαις — talaipōriais in James 5:1. [source]
Mourn [πεντησατε]
First aorist active imperative of πεντεω — pentheō old verb from πεντος — penthos (mourning, James 4:9), as in Matthew 5:4. Often in N.T. joined as here with κλαιω — klaiō to weep (Mark 16:10; Luke 6:25). A call to the godly sorrow spoken of in 2 Corinthians 7:10 (Mayor), like an O.T. prophet.Weep (κλαυσατε — klausate). First aorist active imperative of κλαιω — klaiō (γελως — gelōs). Old word from Homer down, only here in N.T. as γελαω — gelaō to laugh (opposite of κλαιω — klaiō), in N.T. only in Luke 6:21, Luke 6:25, but καταγελαω — katagelaō in Luke 8:53 (Mark 5:40; Matthew 9:24).Be turned Second aorist passive imperative of μετατρεπω — metatrepō old word, to turn about, to transmute, in Homer (not in Attic), here only in N.T.Heaviness (κατηπειαν — katēpheian). Old word from κατηπης — katēphēs (of a downcast look, from κατα — kata παη — phaē eyes), hanging down of the eyes like the publican in Luke 18:13, here only in N.T. [source]
Weep [κλαυσατε]
First aorist active imperative of κλαιω — klaiō Old word from Homer down, only here in N.T. as γελαω — gelaō to laugh (opposite of κλαιω — klaiō), in N.T. only in Luke 6:21, Luke 6:25, but καταγελαω — katagelaō in Luke 8:53 (Mark 5:40; Matthew 9:24). [source]
Be turned [μετατραπητω]
Second aorist passive imperative of μετατρεπω — metatrepō old word, to turn about, to transmute, in Homer (not in Attic), here only in N.T.Heaviness (κατηπειαν — katēpheian). Old word from κατηπης — katēphēs (of a downcast look, from κατα — kata παη — phaē eyes), hanging down of the eyes like the publican in Luke 18:13, here only in N.T. [source]
Heaviness [κατηπειαν]
Old word from κατηπης — katēphēs (of a downcast look, from κατα — kata παη — phaē eyes), hanging down of the eyes like the publican in Luke 18:13, here only in N.T. [source]
Be afflicted [ταλαιπώρησατε]
Only here in New Testament. The kindred noun ταλαιπωρία , misery, occurs James 5:1. [source]
Mourn [πενθήσατε]
Used of grief that is manifested. So mostly in New Testament, and very commonly joined, as here, with weep. So Mark 16:10; Luke 6:25, etc. In the next sentence occurs the kindred noun πένθος , mourning, into which laughter, also something manifest, is to be changed. [source]
Heaviness [κατήφειαν]
Properly, a casting down of the eyes. Compare Luke 18:13. Only here in New Testament. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for James 4:9

Matthew 5:4 They that mourn [πενθοῦντες]
Signifying grief manifested; too deep for concealment. Hence it is often joined with κλαίειν , to weep audibly (Mark 16:10; James 4:9). [source]
Acts 2:20 Shall be turned [μεταστραπησεται]
Second future passive of μεταστρεπω — metastrephō common verb, but only three times in the N.T. (Acts 2:20 from Joel; James 4:9; Galatians 1:7). These are the “wonders” or portents of Acts 2:19. It is worth noting that Peter interprets these “portents” as fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost, though no such change of the sun into darkness or of the moon into blood is recorded. Clearly Peter does not interpret the symbolism of Joel in literal terms. This method of Peter may be of some service in the Book of Revelation where so many apocalyptic symbols occur as well as in the great Eschatological Discourse of Jesus in Matthew 24, 25. In Matthew 24:6, Matthew 24:29 Jesus had spoken of wars on earth and wonders in heaven. [source]
Galatians 1:7 Only [ει μη]
Literally, “except,” that is, “Except in this sense,” “in that it is an attempt to pervert the one true gospel” (Lightfoot). Who disturb you (οι ταρασσοντες — hoi tarassontes). The disturbers. This very verb ταρασσω — tarassō is used in Acts 17:8 of the Jews in Thessalonica who “disturbed” the politarchs and the people about Paul. Would pervert “Wish to turn about,” change completely as in Acts 2:20; James 4:9. The very existence of the gospel of Christ was at stake. [source]
Galatians 1:7 Would pervert [τελοντες μεταστρεπσαι]
“Wish to turn about,” change completely as in Acts 2:20; James 4:9. The very existence of the gospel of Christ was at stake. [source]
James 5:1 Miseries [ταλαιπωρίαις]
Only here and Romans 3:16. See on be afflicted, James 4:9. [source]
James 4:9 Mourn [πεντησατε]
First aorist active imperative of πεντεω — pentheō old verb from πεντος — penthos (mourning, James 4:9), as in Matthew 5:4. Often in N.T. joined as here with κλαιω — klaiō to weep (Mark 16:10; Luke 6:25). A call to the godly sorrow spoken of in 2 Corinthians 7:10 (Mayor), like an O.T. prophet.Weep (κλαυσατε — klausate). First aorist active imperative of κλαιω — klaiō (γελως — gelōs). Old word from Homer down, only here in N.T. as γελαω — gelaō to laugh (opposite of κλαιω — klaiō), in N.T. only in Luke 6:21, Luke 6:25, but καταγελαω — katagelaō in Luke 8:53 (Mark 5:40; Matthew 9:24).Be turned Second aorist passive imperative of μετατρεπω — metatrepō old word, to turn about, to transmute, in Homer (not in Attic), here only in N.T.Heaviness (κατηπειαν — katēpheian). Old word from κατηπης — katēphēs (of a downcast look, from κατα — kata παη — phaē eyes), hanging down of the eyes like the publican in Luke 18:13, here only in N.T. [source]
James 5:1 Weep and howl [κλαυσατε ολολυζοντες]
“Burst into weeping (ingressive aorist active imperative of κλαιω — klaiō as in James 4:9), howling with grief” (present active participle of the old onomatopoetic verb ολολυζω — ololuzō here only in N.T., like Latin ululare, with which compare αλαλαζω — alalazō in Matthew 5:38.For your miseries (επι ταις ταλαιπωριαις υμων — epi tais talaipōriais humōn). Old word from ταλαιπωρος — talaipōros (Romans 7:24) and like ταλαιπωρεω — talaipōreō in James 4:9 (from τλαω — tlaō to endure and πωρος — pōros a callus).That are coming upon you Present middle participle of the old compound επερχομαι — eperchomai to come upon, used here in futuristic prophetic sense. [source]
James 5:1 For your miseries [επι ταις ταλαιπωριαις υμων]
Old word from ταλαιπωρος — talaipōros (Romans 7:24) and like ταλαιπωρεω — talaipōreō in James 4:9 (from τλαω — tlaō to endure and πωρος — pōros a callus). [source]
Revelation 21:4 Sorrow [πένθος]
Better, as Rev., mourning, since the word signifies manifested grief. See on Matthew 5:4; see on James 4:9. Compare Isaiah 65:19. “That soul I say,” observes Socrates, “herself invisible, departs to the invisible world - to the divine and immortal and rational: thither arriving, she is secure of bliss, and is released from the error and folly of men, their fears and wild passions, and all other human ills, and forever dwells, as they say of the initiated, in company with the gods” (Plato, “Phaedo,” 81). So Sophocles:“Sorrow touches not the dead.”“Oedipus Coloneus,” 966 “How thrice happy those of mortals, who, having had these ends in view, depart to Hades; for to them alone is it given there to live; but to others, all things there are evil” (“Fragment”). And Euripides:“The dead, tearless, forgets his pains.”“Troades,” 606 [source]
Revelation 18:7 So much give her of torment and mourning [τοσουτον δοτε αυτηι βασανισμον και πεντος]
Second aorist active imperative of διδωμι — didōmi to give. The correlative pronoun τοσουτον — tosouton is masculine singular accusative, agreeing with βασανισμον — basanismon for which see Revelation 9:5; Revelation 14:11, and is understood with the neuter word πεντος — penthos (mourning), in N.T. only in James 4:9; Revelation 18:7.; Revelation 21:4 (kin to πατοσ πενομαι — pathosκατημαι βασιλισσα — penomai). [source]
Revelation 18:7 Herself [αυτην]
Reflexive pronoun, accusative also with εδοχασεν — edoxasen wanton First aorist (ingressive) active indicative of στρηνιαω — strēniaō (to live luxuriously), verb in late comedy instead of τρυπαω — truphaō (James 5:5), from στρηνος — strēnos (Revelation 18:3), only here in N.T.So much give her of torment and mourning (τοσουτον δοτε αυτηι βασανισμον και πεντος — tosouton dote autēi basanismon kai penthos). Second aorist active imperative of διδωμι — didōmi to give. The correlative pronoun τοσουτον — tosouton is masculine singular accusative, agreeing with βασανισμον — basanismon for which see Revelation 9:5; Revelation 14:11, and is understood with the neuter word πεντος — penthos (mourning), in N.T. only in James 4:9; Revelation 18:7.; Revelation 21:4 (kin to πατοσ πενομαι — pathosκατημαι βασιλισσα — penomai).I sit a queen Predicate nominative for the old form βασιλις — basileia Feminine of the adjective πεντος ου μη ιδω — chēros (barren), old word (Mark 12:40).Shall in no wise see mourning Confident boast of security with emphatic position of ου μη — penthos (see above) and double negative οραω — ou mē with the second aorist active subjunctive of horaō (defective verb). [source]

What do the individual words in James 4:9 mean?

Be grieved and mourn weep The laughter of you to mourning let be turned the joy gloom
ταλαιπωρήσατε καὶ πενθήσατε κλαύσατε γέλως ὑμῶν εἰς πένθος μετατραπήτω χαρὰ κατήφειαν

ταλαιπωρήσατε  Be  grieved 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Imperative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: ταλαιπωρέω  
Sense: to toil heavily, to endure labours and hardships.
πενθήσατε  mourn 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Imperative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: πενθέω  
Sense: to mourn.
κλαύσατε  weep 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Imperative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: κλαίω  
Sense: to mourn, weep, lament.
γέλως  laughter 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: γέλως  
Sense: laughter.
ὑμῶν  of  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
πένθος  mourning 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: πένθος  
Sense: mourning.
μετατραπήτω  let  be  turned 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Imperative Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: μεταστρέφω 
Sense: to turn around, turn around.
χαρὰ  joy 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: χαρά  
Sense: joy, gladness.
κατήφειαν  gloom 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: κατήφεια  
Sense: a downcast look expressive of sorrow.