James 1:4

‘And let patient endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing.'

And the final result of enduring these testings and trials with patient endurance, and of rejoicing in the privilege of suffering for Him, will be the sanctification (making holy, setting apart to God) and building up of their lives that will result in their coming to maturity of faith and love. It will accomplish a ‘perfect work'. They will become ‘perfect even as their Father in Heaven is perfect' (Matthew 5:48), loving their enemies (Matthew 5:44) and behaving towards them in ways that are right and good (Matthew 5:44; Matthew 7:12). In view of the close connection with riches (James 1:9) James may well have in mind the rich young man who was called on to be ‘perfect' by yielding up all his worldly goods and following Christ (Matthew 19:21). It is a ‘perfection' that is the result of being released from the grip of the world and from the grip of riches. Compare James 1:10; James 4:4; 1 John 2:15.

‘Patient endurance.' The word hupomone expresses the active courage and firm resolution that is to be found in Christians, as they are indwelt by Christ and go forward with Him (Galatians 2:20). Compare for its use Luke 21:19; Romans 2:7; Romans 5:3; Romans 15:4; 2 Corinthians 6:4.

‘Entire (holokleroi).' The word came to mean ‘total and complete, without defect'. They will become whole and without blemish, so that their lights will shine in the world bringing glory to God (Matthew 5:16).

‘Lacking in nothing.' They will not ‘lose the race' through lack of training. They will be undefeated in whatever they face. They will triumph. For it is God Who will give them the victory. And though those who are like this may lack physical riches which will eventually fade away (James 1:9), they will enjoy the riches of faith and will be heirs of the Kingly Rule of God (James 2:5). They will not lack anything that is worthwhile, both in the quality of their lives and with regard to what is truly important. They will not fall short in any way. If they wait patiently they will have everything that is truly worthwhile, all that they have waited for, and will have it in abundance when their Lord comes (James 1:12; James 5:7).

Towards the end of his letter James will illustrate this again, this time from men's past experience, declaring, ‘Behold we call happy those who were steadfast' and illustrating it in the person of Job who knew what suffering really meant. He too learned through his suffering and ended up fully restored and perfected (James 5:11).