B. The Proper Attitude 5:7-12Essentially the attitude of the rich that James condemned was: Get all you can as fast as you can any way you can. In the following pericope he counseled a different attitude to urge his readers, rich and poor, to practice patience. read more
When the Lord returns we will receive our reward at the judgment seat of Christ. In the meantime we should be patient and encouraged knowing that our reward lies ahead, as God has promised (cf. Matthew 6:20). The rich, who behave as typical rich people, either do not have or have lost sight of this hope. They live only to accumulate as much reward here and now as they can.". . . the finish line is just ahead: the important point is not to give up now and lose all that for which one has already... read more
5:7 patience, (e-2) Aorist. see Note a. patience (f-22) Two Greek words are translated 'patience' in the New Testament. In vers. 7 and 8 the verb makrothumeo , and in ver. 10 the noun makrothumia , as Hebrews 6:12 . In Romans 2:4 ; 2 Timothy 4:2 ; 1 Peter 3:20 , this reads 'longsuffering' in this translation. In ver. 11 and elsewhere 'endurance' is hupomone , also translated 'patience' at times, according to the context. In general, makrothumia expresses patience in respect of persons, but... read more
5:8 patience. (e-4) Aorist. see Note a. read more
Rebuke and Encouragement2. Are corrupted, etc.] prophetic tense, in which the future is spoken of as though it were already come to pass. 3. For the last days] RV ’in the last days.’ The warning was fulfilled during the siege of Jerusalem, when many rich Jews were slain by Zealots (Jos. ’Wars,’5. 10). 4. Lord of Sabaoth] an OT. phrase = ’Lord of Hosts.’ It is not found elsewhere in the NT., except once in a quotation (Romans 9:29). 5. As in a day of slaughter] omit ’as,’ and cp. Jeremiah 12:3;... read more
(7) Be patient.—The third, and last, part of the Letter commences here with these exhortations towards endurance.Therefore—i.e., because of this your deep and abiding misery, be sure God’s help is nigh:—“The darkest hour is on the verge of day.”“Out of your stony griefs” build, like Jacob of old, a house of God (Genesis 28:19), whereunto you may run and find refuge. If there be wrath laid up in store for the oppressor, great is the coming peace of the oppressed.The husbandman waiteth for the... read more
(8) The coming of the Lord draweth nigh.—Read thus, The presence of the Lord is nigh. For the ancient belief in the nearness of Christ’s second advent, see Note above, in James 5:3. The word used by the Apostle to describe its closeness is the same as that used in Matthew 3:2, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand” The afflicted are therefore to establish, or rather strengthen, their hearts. If “comfort” retained its older sense, such would express the true idea. Comp. the great prophecy of... read more
James 5:1 'I had an hour's baiting from Mrs. yesterday. She got upon political preaching abused it very heartily acknowledged that religion had to do with man's political life, but said a clergyman's duty is to preach obedience to the powers that be was rather puzzled when I asked her whether it were legitimate to preach from James 5:1 , "Go to, now, ye rich men, weep and howl," etc. asked whether it was possible for old women and orphans to understand such subjects; to which I replied, "No;... read more
Chapter 24PATIENCE IN WAITING-THE ENDURANCE OF JOB-THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE MENTION OF JOB BY ST. JAMES.James 5:7-11"BE patient, therefore, brethren." The storm of indignation is past, and from this point to the end of the Epistle St. James writes in tones of tenderness and affection. In the paragraph before us he, as it were, rounds off his letter, bringing it back to the point from which he started; so that what follows (James 5:12-20) is of the nature of a postscript or appendix. He began his... read more
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Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 5:7-9
1. The exhortation to be patient 5:7-9 read more