James 4:9
Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
Original Language Analysis
ταλαιπωρήσατε
Be afflicted
G5003
ταλαιπωρήσατε
Be afflicted
Strong's:
G5003
Word #:
1 of 16
to be wretched, i.e., realize one's own misery
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
2 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
4 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
κλαύσατε
weep
G2799
κλαύσατε
weep
Strong's:
G2799
Word #:
5 of 16
to sob, i.e., wail aloud (whereas 1145 is rather to cry silently)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
εἰς
to
G1519
εἰς
to
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
9 of 16
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
μεταστραφήτω
be turned
G3344
μεταστραφήτω
be turned
Strong's:
G3344
Word #:
11 of 16
to turn across, i.e., transmute or (figuratively) corrupt
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Matthew 5:4Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.Proverbs 14:13Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.Luke 6:25Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.Psalms 119:67Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.Ezekiel 16:63That thou mayest remember, and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame, when I am pacified toward thee for all that thou hast done, saith the Lord GOD.Ezekiel 7:16But they that escape of them shall escape, and shall be on the mountains like doves of the valleys, all of them mourning, every one for his iniquity.Job 30:31My harp also is turned to mourning, and my organ into the voice of them that weep.Jeremiah 31:9They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.Luke 16:25But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.Psalms 119:71It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
Historical Context
Like Old Testament prophets (Joel 2), James summons God's people to lament. Diaspora believers flirting with worldliness needed heartfelt contrition rather than lighthearted excuses.
Questions for Reflection
- When have you last wept over sin—personal or communal?
- What practices help cultivate godly sorrow?
- How can lament lead to actionable repentance?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Be afflicted, mourn, and weep; let laughter turn to mourning. James calls for godly sorrow over sin. Superficial happiness must give way to Spirit-wrought lament that leads to change.
Reformed repentance involves grief and hatred for sin that turns to God. Such seriousness about sin contrasts with worldly levity.