James 1:9-11

⁹ Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation,

¹⁰ but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away.

¹¹ For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.

It is important to bear in mind that the apostle is writing to those of the little flock who had been under the control of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. These were the very ones that had sold their lands, houses, and possessions and laid the proceeds at the feet of the apostles (Acts 4:32-37). Shortly thereafter, however, the leaders in Israel rejected their Messiah and stoned Stephen who had pleaded with them to receive the Anointed One (Acts 7:59-60). The persecution that ensued after the stoning of God’s spokesman resulted in these kingdom saints being scattered throughout the nations of the world. As God turned to the Gentiles, He gradually withdrew His blessing from the chosen nation. This left these Hebrew believers destitute! … But James didn’t want them to dwell on  their poverty; therefore, he redirects their attention to the exalted position they possessed in the kingdom. James encouraged them to remember the following promise: “Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? (James 2:5). — Sadler, page 38.

lowly (v.9) = humble, inner lowliness, God-reliant rather than self-reliant

glory  (v.9) = boast, live with God-given confidence, living with “head held high”

exaltation (v.9) = high position, high rank

The word “lowly” is defined as humble in spirit, and that may be part of the meaning here, but I’m pretty sure the context refers to humble in material circumstances.

rich (v.10) = essentially abounding in material resources

humiliation (v.10) = abasement, perception of spiritual littleness and guilt

The word “brother” in the original Greek stands right at the beginning of the sentence, and it is most natural to understand it as referring to both parts of the sentence, and to translated it: “Let the brother who is poor … and the brother who is rich …” There is nothing inherently wrong in itself with being wealthy. … But James wanted to remind the rich that they should not place their confidence in uncertain riches, which would be their natural tendency. … The trials these rich believers were passing through caused them to be brought down to reality and to realize that earthly riches are transitory. … He wanted them to understand that the rich man and his riches are like the spring wildflower of the field; as quickly as it appears it perishes when it is scorched by the summer heat. … If the wealthy man who is spiritually minded were to lose his fortune overnight, he is to accept that it was only his for a short time anyway. — Sadler, page 40.

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Faith makes things real. It lifts above the circumstances of life. …The believer of low degree in the midst of trials realizes that he is exalted, he glories in that, while the rich learns his low estate, that riches will fade away, but that he possesses an inheritance that fadeth not away. — Gaebelein, page 1128.