James 4:9

← James 4:8 James 4:10 →

James 4:9 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Grieve, mourn, and weep. Turn your laughter to mourning, and your joy to gloom.

King James Version KJV

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

American Standard Version ASV

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

Bible in Basic English BBE

Be troubled, with sorrow and weeping; let your laughing be turned to sorrow and your joy to grief.

Free Bible Version FBV

Show some remorse, cry and weep! Turn your laughter into mourning, and your joy to sadness.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Suffer afflictions, and sorrowe ye, and weepe: let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your ioy into heauinesse.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

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

World English Bible WEB

Lament, mourn, and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

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

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy into sorrow.

Translation for Translators T4T

Be sorrowful and weep/mourn [DOU] because of the wrong things that you have done. Do not laugh [DOU], ◄enjoying only what you selfishly/enjoying only what you yourselves► desire. Instead, be sad because you have done what is wrong.

Plain English Version PEV

Stop laughing about the bad things you did. Cry about them instead. You went wrong, so be sad, not happy.

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

Enable Study Highlights

God & Jesus

Holy Spirit

Divine Actions

Repeated Words

Berean Amplified Bible — James 4:9

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

James 4:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK ταλαιπωρησατε και πενθησατε και κλαυσατε ο γελως υμων εις πενθος μεταστραφητω και η χαρα εις κατηφειαν

ταλαιπωρησατε talaipōreō G5003 to grieve Verb-AAM-2P

και kai G2532 and Conj

πενθησατε pentheō G3996 to mourn Verb-AAM-2P

και kai G2532 and Conj

κλαυσατε klaiō G2799 to weep Verb-AAM-2P

ο ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NSM

γελως gelōs G1071 laughter Noun-NSM

υμων su G4771 you Pron-2GP

εις eis G1519 toward Prep

πενθος penthos G3997 grief Noun-ASN

μεταστραφητω metastrephō G3344 to change Verb-2APM-3S

και kai G2532 and Conj

η ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NSF

χαρα chara G5479 joy Noun-NSF

εις eis G1519 toward Prep

κατηφειαν katēpheia G2726 gloominess Noun-ASF

Greek Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.

Greek Word Reference — James 4:9

ταλαιπωρησατε talaipōreō G5003 "to grieve" Verb-AAM-2P

To grieve means to realize one's own misery or suffering. In James 4:9, it describes being afflicted or distressed. This term can also refer to doing hard labor or suffering hardship.

Definition: ταλαιπωρέω, -ῶ (ταλαίπωρος), [in LXX Chiefly for שָׁדַד pu. ;] __1. to do hard labour, suffer hardship or distress: Jas.4:9. __2. In cl. occasionally trans., to weary, distress (so Psa.17:9, Isa.33:1).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1 NT verses. KJV: be afflicted See also: James 4:9.

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Definition: καί, conj., and __I. Copulative. __1. Connecting single words; __(a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. __(b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; __(with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. __2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. __(a) where, after the simplicity of the popular language, sentences are paratactically joined (WM, §60, 3; M, Pr., 12; Deiss., LAE, 128ff.): Mat.1:21, 7:25, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.10:3, al.; __(b) joining affirmative to negative sentences: Luk.3:14, Jhn.4:11, IIIJhn.10; __(with) consecutive, and so: Mat.5:1, 23:32, Heb.3:19, al.; after imperatives, Mat.4:19, Luk.7:7, al.; __(d) = καίτοι, and yet: Mat.3:14, 6:26, Mrk.12:12, Luk.18:7 (Field, Notes, 72), 1Co.5:2, al.; __(e) beginning an apodosis (= Heb. וְ; so sometimes δέ in cl.), then: Luk.2:21, 7:12, Act.1:10; beginning a question (WM, §53, 3a): Mrk.10:26, Luk.10:29, Jhn.9:36. __3. Epexegetic, and, and indeed, namely (WM, §53, 3c): Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:16, Act.23:6, Rom.1:5, 1Co.3:5, al. __4. In transition: Mat.4:23, Mrk.5:1, 21, Jhn.1:19, al.; so, Hebraistically, καὶ ἐγένετο (וַי:הִי; also ἐγένετο δέ), Mrk.1:9 (cf. Luk.5:1; V. Burton, §§357-60; M, Pr., 14, 16). __5. καὶ . . . καί, both . . . and (for τε . . . καί, see: τε); __(a) connecting single words: Mat.10:28, Mrk.4:41, Rom.11:33, al.; __(b) clauses and sentences: Mrk.9:13, Jhn.7:28, 1Co.1:22, al. __II. Adjunctive, also, even, still: Mat.5:39, 40; Mrk.2:28, al. mult.; esp. with pron., adv., etc., Mat.20:4, Jhn.7:47, al; ὡς κ., Act.11:17; καθὼς κ., Rom.15:7; οὑτω κ., Rom.6:11; διὸ κ., Luk.1:35; ὁ κ. (Deiss., BS, 313ff.), Act.13:9; pleonastically, μετὰ κ.. (Bl., §77, 7; Deiss., BS, 265f,), Php.4:3; τί κ., 1 Co 15:29; ἀλλὰ κ., Luk.14:22, Jhn.5:18, al.; καίγε (M, Pr., 230; Burton, §437), Act.17:27; καίπερ, Heb.5:8; κ. ἐάν, see: ἐάν. ἐάν, contr. fr. εἰ ἄν, conditional particle, representing something as "under certain circumstances actual or liable to happen," but not so definitely expected as in the case of εἰ with ind. (Bl., §65, 4; cf. Jhn.13:17, 1Co.7:36), if haply, if; __1. with subjc. (cl.); __(a) pres.: Mat.6:22, Luk.10:6, Jhn.7:17, Rom.2:25, 26 al.; { __(b) aor. (= Lat. fut. pf.): Mat.4:9 16:26 (cf. ptcp. in Luk.9:25; M, Pr., 230), Mrk.3:24, Luk.14:34, Jhn.5:43, Rom.7:2, al.; = cl. εἰ, with opt., Jhn.9:22 11:57, Act.9:2; as Heb. אִם = ὅταν, Jhn.12:32 14:3, I Jhn.2:28 3:2, Heb.3:7" (LXX) . __2. C. indic, (as in late writers, fr. Arist. on; see WH, App., 171; VD, MGr. 2, App., §77; Deiss., BS, 201f., LAE, 155, 254; M, Pr., 168, 187; Bl., §65, 4); __(a) fut.: Mat.18:19 T, Luk.19:40, Act.7:7; __(b) pres.: 1Th.3:8 (see Milligan, in l.). __3. With other particles: ἐ. καί (Bl., §65, 6), Gal.6:1; ἐ. μή (M, Pr., 185, 187; Bl., l.with), with subjc. pres., Mat.10:13, 1Co.8:8, Jas.2:17, 1Jn.3:21; aor., Mat.6:15, Mrk.3:27, Jhn.3:3, Rom.10:15, Gal.1:8 2:16 (see Lft., Ellic., in ll.); ἐ. τε . . . ἐ. τε, [in LXX for אִם . . . אִם, Est.19:13, al.,] Rom.14:8. __4. = cl. ἄν (which see) after relat. pronouns and adverbs (Tdf., Pr., 96; WH, App., 173; M, Pr., 42f.; Bl., §26, 4; Mayser, 152f.; Deiss., BS, 202ff.): ὃς ἐ., Mat.5:19, Mrk.6:22, 23 Luk.17:32, 1Co.6:18, al.; ὅπου ἐ., Mat.8:19; ὁσάκις ἐ., Rev.11:6; οὗ ἐ., 1Co.16:6; καθὸ ἐ., 2Co.8:12; ὅστις ἐ., Gal.5:10. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

πενθησατε pentheō G3996 "to mourn" Verb-AAM-2P

To mourn or grieve is what this word means, feeling sad and sorrowful. Jesus teaches about mourning in Matthew 5:4 and 9:15, saying those who mourn will be comforted.

Definition: πενθέω, -ῶ [in LXX chiefly for אָבַל ;] to mourn (for), lament; __(a) intrans. : Mat.5:4 (5) Mat.9:15, 1Co.5:2; π. καὶ κλαίειν, Mat.16:10, Luk.6:25, Jas.4:9, Rev.18:15, 19; before ἐπί, with accusative, Rev.18:11; __(b) trans., with accusative, 2Co.12:21.† SYN.: see: θρηνέω (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 10 NT verses. KJV: mourn, (be-)wail See also: 1 Corinthians 5:2; Matthew 5:4; James 4:9.

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

κλαυσατε klaiō G2799 "to weep" Verb-AAM-2P

To weep means to cry out loud, like the people who mourned in Mark 5:38-39 after a little girl died.

Definition: κλαίω [in LXX chiefly for בָּכָה ;] of any loud expression of pain or sorrow, esp. for the dead, to weep, lament; __(a) intrans.: Mrk.5:38-39 14:72 (M, Pr., 131) Mrk.16:10, Luk.7:13, 32 7:38 8:52, Jhn.11:31, 33 16:20 20:11, 13 20:15 Act.9:39 21:13, 1Co.7:30, Php.3:18, Jas.4:9 5:1, Rev.5:5 18:15, 19; πολύ, Rev.5:4; πολλά, Act.8:24 (WH, mg.); πικρῶς, Mat.26:75, Luk.22:62; opposite to γελάω, Luk.6:21, 25; χαίρω, Rom.12:15; before ἐπί, with accusative, Luk.19:41 23:28, Rev.18:9; __(b) trans., with accusative of person(s), to weep or lament for, bewail: Mat.2:18.† SYN.: see: δακρύω (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 34 NT verses. KJV: bewail, weep See also: 1 Corinthians 7:30; Luke 19:41; James 4:9.

ο ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NSM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

γελως gelōs G1071 "laughter" Noun-NSM

Laughter as a sign of joy, mentioned in James 4:9 as a way to express sorrow.

Definition: γέλως, -ωτος, ὁ, [in LXX chiefly for שְׂחוֹק ;] laughter: Jas.4:9.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1 NT verses. KJV: laughter See also: James 4:9.

υμων su G4771 "you" Pron-2GP

This Greek word means 'you' and is used to address someone directly, like in John 1:30 and Matthew 26:64. It's a way to emphasize or contrast the person being spoken to. The KJV Bible translates it as 'thou'.

Definition: σύ, pron. of 2nd of person(s), thou, you, genitive, σοῦ, dative, σοί, accusative, σέ, pl., ὑμεῖς, -ῶν, -ῖν, -ᾶς (enclitic in oblique cases sing., except after prep. (BL, §48, 3), though πρὸς σέ occurs in Mat.25:39). Nom. for emphasis or contrast: Jhn.1:30, 4:10, 5:33, 39, 44, Act.4:7, Eph.5:32; so also perhaps σὺ εἶπας, Mat.26:64, al. (M, Pr., 86); before voc., Mat.2:6, Luk.1:76, Jhn.17:5, al.; sometimes without emphasis (M, Pr., 85f.), as also in cl., but esp. as rendering of Heb. phrase, e.g. υἱός μου εἶ σύ (בְּנִי־אַתָּה, Psa.2:7), Act.13:33. The genitive (σοῦ, ὑμῶν) is sometimes placed bef. the noun: Luk.7:48, 12:30, al.; so also the enclitic σοῦ, Mat.9:6; on τί ἐμοὶ κ. σοί, see: ἐγώ. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2041 NT verses. KJV: thou See also: 1 Corinthians 1:3; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 1 Peter 1:2.

εις eis G1519 "toward" Prep

This word means toward or into, indicating direction or purpose, as seen in Matthew 8:23 and Mark 1:45. It can also imply a sense of movement or action. The KJV translates it in various ways.

Definition: εἰς, prep. with accusative, expressing entrance, direction, limit, into, unto, to, upon, towards, for, among (Lat. in, with accusative). __I. Of place. __1. After verbs of motion; __(a) of entrance into: Mat.8:23, 9:7, Mrk.1:45, Luk.2:15, 8:31, al.; __(b) of approach, to or towards: Mrk.11:1, Luk.6:8, 19:28, Jhn.11:31, 21:6, al.; __(with) before pl. and collective nouns, among: Mrk.4:7, 8:19, 20, Luk.11:49, Jhn.21:23, al.; __(d) Of a limit reached, unto, on, upon: Mat.8:18, 21:1, Mrk.11:1, 13:16, Luk.14:10, Jhn.6:3, 11:32, al.; with accusative of person(s) (as in Ep. and Ion.), Act.23:15, Rom.5:12, 16:19, 2Co.10:14; __(e) elliptical: ἐπιστολαὶ εἰς Δαμασκόν, Act.9:2; ἡ διακονία μου ἡ εἰς Ἱ., Rom.15:31; metaphorically, of entrance into a certain state or condition, or of approach or direction towards some end (Thayer, B, i, 1; ii, 1), εἰς τ. ὄνομα, M, Pr., 200. __2. Of direction; __(a) after verbs of seeing: Mat.6:26, Mrk.6:41, Luk.9:16, 62, Jhn.13:22, al.; metaphorically, of the mind, Heb.11:26, 12:2, al.; __(b) after verbs of speaking: Mat.13:10, 14:9, 1Th.2:9, al. __3. After verbs of rest; __(a) in "pregnant" construction, implying previous motion (cl.; see WM, 516; Bl., §39, 3; M, Pr., 234f.): Mat.2:23, 4:13, 2Th.2:4, 2Ti.1:11, Heb.11:9, al.; __(b) by an assimilation general in late Gk (see Bl., M, Pr., ll. with) = ἐν: Luk.1:44, 4:23, Act.20:16, 21:17, Jhn.1:18 (but see Westc, in l.), al. __II. Of time, for, unto; __1. accentuating the duration expressed by the accusative: εἰς τ. αἰῶνα, Mat.21:19; εἰς γενεὰς καὶ γ., Luk.1:50; εἰς τ. διηνεκές, Heb.7:3, al. __2. Of a point or limit of time, unto, up to, until: Mat.6:34, Act.4:3, 25:21, Php.1:10, 2:16, 1Th.4:15, 2Ti.1:12; of entrance into a future period, σεις τὸ μέλλον (see: μέλλω), next (year), Luk.13:9 (but with ICC, in l.); εἰς τ. μεταξὺ σάββατον, on the next Sabbath, Act.13:42; εἰς τὸ πάλιν (see: πάλιν, 2Co.13:2. __III. Of result, after verbs of changing, joining, dividing, etc.: στρέφειν εἰς, Rev.11:6; μετας-, Act.2:20, Jas.4:9; μεταλλάσσειν, Rom.1:26; σχίζειν εἰς δύο, Mat.27:51, al.; predicatively with εἴναι, Act.8:23. __IV. Of relation, to, towards, for, in regard to (so in cl., but more frequently in late Gk., εἰς encroaching on the simple dative, which it has wholly displaced in MGr.; Jannaris, Gr., §1541; Robertson, Gr., 594; Deiss., BS, 117f.): Luk.7:30, Rom.4:20, 15:2, 26, 1Co.16:1, Eph.3:16, al.; ἀγάπη εἰς, Rom.5:8, al.; χρηστός, Eph.4:32; φρονεῖν εἰς, Rom.12:16; θαρρεῖν, 2Co.10:1. __V. Of the end or object: εὔθετος εἰς, Luk.14:34; σόφος, Rom.16:19; ἰσχύειν, Mat.5:13; εἰς τοῦτο, Mrk.1:38, al.; ἀφορίζειν εἰς, Rom.1:1; indicating purpose, εἰς φόβον, Rom.8:15; εἰς ἔνδειξιν, Rom.3:25; εἰς τό, with inf. (= ἵνα or ὥστε; Bl., §71, 5; M, Pr., 218ff.): Mat.20:19, Rom.1:11, 1Co.9:18, al. __VI. Adverbial phrases: εἰς τέλος, εἰς τὸ πάλιν, etc (see: τέλος, πάλιν, etc.). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1512 NT verses. KJV: (abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with See also: 1 Corinthians 1:9; 1 Timothy 1:16; 1 Peter 1:2.

πενθος penthos G3997 "grief" Noun-ASN

This word means grief or mourning, a state of sadness and sorrow. It is used to describe a time of sorrow in James 4:9 and Revelation 18:7-8 and 21:4.

Definition: πένθος, -ους, τό [in LXX chiefly for אֵבֶל ;] mourning: Jas.4:9, Rev.18:7-8 21:4.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 4 NT verses. KJV: mourning, sorrow See also: James 4:9; Revelation 18:8; Revelation 18:7.

μεταστραφητω metastrephō G3344 "to change" Verb-2APM-3S

This Greek word means to change or turn something around, and can also mean to corrupt or pervert something, as seen in Galatians 1:7. It can be used literally or figuratively. In Acts 2:20, it refers to a dramatic change in the world.

Definition: μετα στρέφω [in LXX chiefly for הָפַךְ ;] to turn about, turn, change: pass., Act.2:20 (LXX), Jas.4:9 (WH, txt., μετατρέπω, which see); in evil sense, to pervert, corrupt (cf. primary sense reverse) : Gal.1:7.† μετα-τρέπω [in LXX: 4Ma.6:5 4Mac 7:3 4Mac 7:12 4Mac 15:11 4Mac 15:18 * ;] to turn about, turn (Hom., al., but not found in Att..) : with accusative, Jas.4:9 (WH, txt.; cf. μεταστρέφω).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 3 NT verses. KJV: pervert, turn See also: Acts 2:20; Galatians 1:7; James 4:9.

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

η ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NSF

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

χαρα chara G5479 "joy" Noun-NSF

Joy, or chara, means a deep and lasting happiness, like the joy felt by the shepherds in Luke 1:14 when they heard about Jesus' birth.

Definition: χαρά, -ᾶς, ἡ (χαίρω), [in LXX for שִׂמְחָה, שָׂשׂוֹן, etc. ;] joy, delight: Luk.1:14 15:7, 10, Jhn.15:11 16:22, 24 17:13, Act.8:8, 2Co.1:24 7:13 8:2, Gal.5:22, Col.1:11, Php.2:2, 1Jn.1:4, 2Jn.12; opposite to κατήφεια, Jas.4:9; to λύπη, Jhn.16:20; χ. τῆς πίστεως, Php.1:25; ἀγαλλιᾶσθαι (χαίρειν, which see), χαρᾷ, Jhn.3:29, 1Pe.1:8; χ. ἔχειν, Phm 7; πληροῦν (-οῦσθαι) χαρᾶς, Act.13:52, Rom.15:13, 2Ti.1:4; ποιεῖν χ. μεγάλην, Act.15:3; ἀπὸ τῆς χ., Mat.13:44, Luk.24:41, Act.12:14; ἐν χ., Rom.15:32; μετὰ χαρᾶς, Mat.13:20 28:8, Mrk.4:16, Luk.8:13 10:17 24:52, Php.1:4 2:29, Heb.10:34 13:17; id. beforeπνεύματος ἁγίου, 1Th.1:6; χ. ἐν π. ἁ, Rom.14:17; χ. ἐπί, 2Co.7:4; διά, 1Th.3:9; ὅτι, Jhn.16:21; ἵνα, III Jn 4 By meton., of the cause or occasion of joy: Luk.2:10, 2Co.1:15, WH, txt., R, mg., Php.4:1, 1Th.2:19-20, Heb.12:2, Jas.1:2; ἡ χ. τ. κυρίου, Mat.25:21, 23.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 57 NT verses. KJV: gladness, X greatly, (X be exceeding) joy(-ful, -fully, -fulness, -ous) See also: 1 John 1:4; John 15:11; 1 Peter 1:8.

εις eis G1519 "toward" Prep

This word means toward or into, indicating direction or purpose, as seen in Matthew 8:23 and Mark 1:45. It can also imply a sense of movement or action. The KJV translates it in various ways.

κατηφειαν katēpheia G2726 "gloominess" Noun-ASF

Gloominess is a feeling of sadness or being downcast, like in James 4:9 where it describes a state of sorrow.

Definition: κατήφεια, -ας, ἡ (κατηφής, downcast, Wis.17:4 *), dejection: Jas.4:9.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1 NT verses. KJV: heaviness See also: James 4:9.

Study Notes — James 4:9

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
James 4:9 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on James 4:9
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on James 4:9
Matthew Poole's Commentary on James 4:9
Trapp's Commentary on James 4:9
Ellicott's Commentary on James 4:9
Adam Clarke's Commentary on James 4:9
Cambridge Bible on James 4:9
Barnes' Notes on James 4:9
Whedon's Commentary on James 4:9
Sermons on James 4:9

Context — Drawing Near to God

7Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

9Grieve, mourn, and weep. Turn your laughter to mourning, and your joy to gloom.

10Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you. 11Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. And if you judge the law, you are not a practitioner of the law, but a judge of it.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	2 Corinthians 7:10–11	Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. Consider what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what zeal, what vindication! In every way you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.
2	Matthew 5:4	Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
3	Luke 6:25	Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.
4	Proverbs 14:13	Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in sorrow.
5	James 5:1–2	Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you. Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes.
6	Psalms 119:67	Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I keep Your word.
7	Jeremiah 31:18–20	I have surely heard Ephraim’s moaning: ‘You disciplined me severely, like an untrained calf. Restore me, that I may return, for You are the LORD my God. After I returned, I repented; and after I was instructed, I struck my thigh in grief. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’ Is not Ephraim a precious son to Me, a delightful child? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore My heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him,” declares the LORD.
8	Ezekiel 16:63	so that when I make atonement for all you have done, you will remember and be ashamed and never again open your mouth because of your disgrace, declares the Lord GOD.”
9	Ecclesiastes 7:2–6	It is better to enter a house of mourning than a house of feasting, since death is the end of every man, and the living should take this to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, for a sad countenance is good for the heart. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure. It is better to heed a wise man’s rebuke than to listen to the song of fools. For like the crackling of thorns under the pot, so is the laughter of the fool. This too is futile.
10	Revelation 18:7–8	As much as she has glorified herself and lived in luxury, give her the same measure of torment and grief. In her heart she says, ‘I sit as queen; I am not a widow and will never see grief.’ Therefore her plagues will come in one day— death and grief and famine— and she will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.”

James 4:9 Summary

[James 4:9 is a call to repentance, asking us to examine our lives and turn away from sin, recognizing the seriousness of our spiritual condition, as we are also told in 2 Corinthians 7:10 to godly sorrow that leads to repentance. This verse is not about never experiencing joy, but about prioritizing our relationship with God and recognizing the fleeting nature of worldly pleasures, as warned in 1 Peter 1:24. To 'grieve, mourn, and weep' means to take our sins seriously and to seek forgiveness, which can lead to a deeper and more meaningful relationship with God, as seen in Psalm 34:18 where God is near to the brokenhearted. By turning our 'laughter to mourning' and our 'joy to gloom', we are acknowledging our need for repentance and seeking a more profound connection with God, as also encouraged in Matthew 5:3-4 where blessings are pronounced on those who mourn and are poor in spirit.]

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does James 4:9 tell us to grieve, mourn, and weep?

This verse is calling believers to a state of repentance and sorrow for their sins, recognizing the seriousness of their spiritual condition, as seen in James 4:8 where we are told to cleanse our hands and purify our hearts.

Is James 4:9 saying that we should never experience joy or laughter?

No, James 4:9 is not condemning joy or laughter, but rather calling us to examine our priorities and values, turning away from worldly pleasures that distract us from our relationship with God, as warned in 1 John 2:15-17.

How can I balance the call to mourn and weep with the biblical command to rejoice in the Lord?

This balance is found in recognizing that our rejoicing should be in the Lord, not in worldly pleasures, as seen in Philippians 4:4, and that true joy can coexist with a deep awareness of our sinfulness and need for repentance, as expressed in Psalm 51:17.

What is the relationship between James 4:9 and the preceding verse, James 4:8?

James 4:8 calls us to draw near to God and cleanse our hearts, while James 4:9 provides a practical expression of this repentance, demonstrating the outward manifestation of an inward change, as also seen in Matthew 5:4 where those who mourn are comforted.

Reflection Questions

What are the things in my life that bring me joy, and are they aligned with God's will for me?
In what ways can I demonstrate a genuine sorrow for my sins, and how can this lead to a deeper relationship with God?
How can I distinguish between worldly pleasures that distract me from God and the joy that comes from knowing and serving Him?
What are some practical steps I can take to 'turn my laughter to mourning' and focus on my spiritual condition?
How does recognizing my sinfulness and need for repentance affect my relationships with others and my daily decisions?

Gill's Exposition on James 4:9

Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep,.... Not in a bare external way; not by afflicting the body with fastings and scourgings, by renting of garments, and clothing with sackcloth, and putting ashes on

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on James 4:9

Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Be afflicted ... [ talaipooreesate (G5003)] - endure misery; i:e., mourn over your wretchedness through sin.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on James 4:9

Be afflicted; humble yourselves for your sins, before mentioned, and in the sense of wrath approaching, if ye do not. And mourn, with inward sorrow of heart. And weep; show your inward grief by weeping, the usual expression and sign of it. Let your laughter; your carnal rejoicing in what you get by sinful courses, ,2, lusting, warring, fighting. Be turned into mourning; exchange your carnal joy for godly sorrow. And your joy; to the same purpose as laughter, before: by it he means their pleasing themselves in the success of their unrighteousness, the gain of their rapine and violence. Into heaviness; the same as mourning, or an outward expression of it in the dejection of the countenance, which usually proceeds from shame or sorrow, (and the Greek word signifies both), whereas joy and confidence make men lift up their heads or faces, 22:26 .

Trapp's Commentary on James 4:9

9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Ver. 9. Be afflicted] ταλαιπωρησατε. or, Be miserable; ye are so, but see yourselves to be so. Or, afflict yourselves, viz. with voluntary sorrows for your sins. See that ye be active here. And mourn] Savourly and soakingly, with a deep and downright sorrow, so as a man would do in the death of his dearest friend. The Greek word, πενθησατε, imports a funeral grief. And weep] In judgment at least, and then, dry sorrow may go as far as wet, where tears will not come. But if it be possible, look not upon sin with dry eyes; point every sin with a tear. Let your laughter be turned] Turn all the streams into this one channel, that may drive the mill, that may grind the heart. Meal was offered of old, and not whole corn. And your joy to heaviness] κατηφεια, such as makes a man hang down his head, and go heavily through grief and shame. Tristitia cum vultus demissione. Budaeus.

Ellicott's Commentary on James 4:9

(9) Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep.—For wretchedness, sorrow, and tears are the three steps of the homeward way to peace and God. And in proof of real conversion there must be the outward lamentation, as well as the inward contrition. Grieve, therefore, with a “godly sorrow not to be repented of” (2 Corinthians 7:10)—the remorseful anguish of a Peter, and not a Judas. Let the foolish laughter at sin, which was “as the crackling of thorns” before the avenging fire (Ecclesiastes 7:6), be turned to mourning; banish the joyous smile for the face cast down to heaviness, and so await the blessedness of those that mourn (Matt. v, 4), even the promised comfort of God.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on James 4:9

Verse 9. Be afflicted, and mourn] Without true and deep repentance ye cannot expect the mercy of God. Let your laughter be turned to mourning] It appears most evidently that many of those to whom St. James addressed this epistle had lived a very irregular and dissolute life. He had already spoken of their lust, and pleasures, and he had called them adulterers and adulteresses; and perhaps they were so in the grossest sense of the words. He speaks here of their laughter and their joy; and all the terms taken together show that a dissolute life is intended. What a strange view must he have of the nature of primitive Christianity, who can suppose that these words can possibly have been addressed to people professing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who were few in number, without wealth or consequence, and were persecuted and oppressed both by their brethren the Jews and by the Romans!

Cambridge Bible on James 4:9

9. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep …] The words are nearly synonymous, the first pointing to the sense of misery (as in “O wretched man that I am” in Romans 7:24), the second to its general effect on demeanour, the last to its special outflow in tears. The two last verbs are frequently joined together, as in Mark 16:10; Luke 6:25; Revelation 18:15. The words are an emphatic call to repentance, and the blessedness which follows on repentance. Here, as so often in the Epistle, we trace the direct influence of the teaching of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:4). The contrast between the “laughter” and the “mourning” in the clause that follows, makes the connexion all but absolutely certain. The “laughter” is that of the careless, selfish, luxurious rejoicing of the world, the “sport” of the fool in Proverbs 10:23.your joy to heaviness] The Greek for the latter word expresses literally the downcast look of sorrow, and is as old in this sense as Homer,“Joy to thy foes, but heavy shame to thee.”Iliad iii. 51.It exactly describes the attitude of the publican, who would not “lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven” (Luke 18:13).

Barnes' Notes on James 4:9

Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep - That is, evidently, on account of your sins.

Whedon's Commentary on James 4:9

9. Be afflicted—Penitence is the way to repentance and reformation; penitence in view of past sin and future judgment. The ring of revelry and laughter should give way to the voice of mourning.

Sermons on James 4:9

	Sermon	Description
	Somebody Prayed - Part 2 (Compilation) by Compilations	In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal experience of witnessing a preacher named Michael weeping and begging for people to repent and get right with God. The speaker emphasi
	Step 7 on Mourning Which Causes Joy. by St. John Climacus	St. John Climacus preaches about the importance of mourning, compunction, and repentance as essential steps in the spiritual journey towards God. He emphasizes the need for genuine
	An Enrollment of Our Names in Heaven —The Noblest Source of Joy by Samuel Davies	Samuel Davies preaches about the joy of having our names written in heaven, emphasizing that this surpasses all other sources of joy. He highlights the importance of heavenly citiz
	Mourning for Sin and Holy Joy by Thomas Brooks	Thomas Brooks emphasizes the profound relationship between godly sorrow and holy joy, illustrating that true mourning for sin leads to the deepest forms of spiritual joy. He explai
	Hindrances to Revival: Fear of Emotion by J. Edwin Orr	J. Edwin Orr addresses the fear of emotional displays in the context of revival, arguing that genuine emotional responses are often a sign of the Holy Spirit's work. He critiques t
	Apart by C.H. Spurgeon	C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes that true repentance is deeply personal and always accompanied by sorrow for sin. He argues against the modern notion that repentance is merely a change of
	An Inquiry After Truth and Righteousness, and After the People, &C. by Isaac Penington	Greek Word Studies for an aid_number 34478 preaches on the significance of mourning over sin, emphasizing the need for genuine confession, repentance, and sorrow. The preacher high