1) 1:1–4 Persecution brings perfection? Writing to Jewish Christians who had fled persecution, James urged them to take a positive view of their trials, focusing on the character development those trials can produce. “Trouble” or “trials” (1:2) come to test faith (1:3; see Gen. 22:1; Exod. 20:20; Deut. 8:2–3). From 1:2 we learn three things about such trials: • They are certain to come. James says “when,” not “if.”