James 5:16

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - James 5:1-20

WORLDLY MINDEDNESS Like other divisions of this epistle this is so connected with the last, and grows out of it so naturally, that it is difficult to say where the division occurs. The writer had been speaking of envying and strife in expression through the tongue, and now puts in his plow deeper to show their source in the antecedent condition of the heart. “Lust” is not to be taken in the limited sense of sensuality, but in the broader sense of worldly pleasure or gratification of any kind.... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - James 5:1-20

Curious Identifications Jam 5:11 Let us notice how very curiously, and in some cases how very eccentrically and frivolously, some men are identified in Holy Scripture. The texts might be a hundred in number: one will do to start with "Ye have heard of the patience of Job." Thus we hear of men in little points, striking aspects, wise or silly anecdotes. Who knows anything about Job, except his patience? Who can quote any argument of the great sufferer? Who can recite his curse upon his... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - James 5:12-20

But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation. (13) Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. (14) Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: (15) And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - James 5:16

Confess, therefore, your sins, &c. Divers interpreters expound this of sacramental confession, though, as the authors of the annotations on the Rheims Testament observe, this is not certain. The words one to another, may signify that it is not enough to confess to God, but that we must also confess to men, and not to every man, but to those whom God appointed, and to whom he hath given the power of remitting sins in his name. I cannot but observe that no mention at all is made, "in the... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - James 5:12-18

12-18 The sin of swearing is condemned; but how many make light of common profane swearing! Such swearing expressly throws contempt upon God's name and authority. This sin brings neither gain, nor pleasure, nor reputation, but is showing enmity to God without occasion and without advantage It shows a man to be an enemy to God, however he pretends to call himself by his name, or sometimes joins in acts of worship. But the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. In a day of... read more

Frank Binford Hole

F. B. Hole's Old and New Testament Commentary - James 5:1-99

James 5 IN THE CLOSING verses of chapter 4 James was addressing those of his own people belonging to the prosperous commercial class, who professed to receive Jesus as their Lord. In the opening of the fifth chapter his thoughts turn to the rich Jews, and these, as we have before mentioned, were almost to a man found amongst the unbelieving majority. In the first six verses he has some severe and even scorching things to say about them, and to them. The accusation he brings against them is... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - James 5:16-20

Admonition to forgiveness and loving intercession: v. 16. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another that ye may be healed. The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. v. 17. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain; and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. v. 18. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. v. 19. ... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - James 5:7-20

X. FINAL THEME AND CONCLUSIONFURTHER ADDRESS TO THE BRETHREN. FINAL THEME: EXHORTATION TO ENDURANCE IN LONG-SUFFERING PATIENCE UNTO THE COMING OF THE LORD.—ENCOURAGEMENT THERETO. CONDITION THEREOF. FINAL PROMISEJames 5:7-207Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early7 and latter rain. 8Be ye also patient;8 establish your hearts: for the coming of the... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - James 5:12-20

Effectual Prayer James 5:12-20 In view of the judgment-seat, at which we shall have to give an account of our words, we shall do well to employ the simplest, plainest speech, Matthew 5:34 ; Matthew 12:36-37 . How shall we act in any given situation? The Apostle says in effect, be perfectly natural . The suffering should pray, the glad sing, the sick confess his sins and call for believing prayer. The oil is the symbol of the Holy Spirit. The body is the Holy Spirit’s temple, and He is asked... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - James 5:1-20

Approaching the conclusion of his letter, the writer addressed a terrible indictment and solemn warning to the rich. He showed the failure of possessions, and how they may become the curse of life. Selfish life which results in oppression of the poor and consequent robbery of God is known by God. The teaching reveals remarkably the divine passion for justice. To those who suffer, the writer addressed words full of tender comfort. He called them to patience. All that was said at the beginning... read more

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