James 5

James 5:1-12 ESV (1) Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. (2) Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. (3) Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. (4) Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. (5) You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. (6) You have condemned; you have murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you.

5:1 rich. The Bible nowhere condemns wealth itself. It is often viewed as the blessing of God (Prov. 10:22). However, the rich, as a social class, are often guilty of exploiting and oppressing the poor. God reserves severe judgment for this (Luke 6:24). New Geneva study Bible 5:1–6. Ye rich men: James’s common address, “brethren,” is not found once in this section. By contrast, it occurs four times in verses 7–12. James is now addressing wealthy, unsaved Jews who have poor Jews working for them. They have mistreated the poor, so God’s judgment will fall on them. 5:3. Ironically, they have stored up treasure for their last days (retirement), which God will use against them in the last days. King James Version study Bible 5:4 wages … you kept back. This is a violation of the law of God. Wages are not only to be paid, they are to be paid on time (Lev. 19:13; Deut. 24:14, 15). New Geneva study Bible The bible has some pretty strong words to say about rich people who oppress the poor. God takes a special interest in protecting and defending those who are oppressed in this world. God’s word says we are to treat those that work for us with honor and dignity or He Himself will get involved. As in a day of slaughter (ως εν ημερα σφαγης) All the best texts reject ως, as. The meaning of the passage is disputed. Some find the key to it in the words last days (Jam_5:3). The phrase day of slaughter is used for a day of judgment, Jer_12:3; 25:34: (Sept.). According to this, the meaning is, the day of judgment, at the supposed near coming of Christ. Others explain that these men are like beasts, which, on the very day of their slaughter, gorge themselves in unconscious security. VWS

This passage is very reminiscent of the prophets of the OT. James just can’t help some of that righteous indignation from showing in his writings.

(7) Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. (8) You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. (9) Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. (10) As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. (11) Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. (12) But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your "yes" be yes and your "no" be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.

Be patient (μακροθυμησατε) From μακρος, long, and θυμος, soul or spirit, but with the sense of strong passion, stronger even than οργη, anger, as is maintained by Schmidt (“Synonymik”), who describes θυμος as a tumultuous welling up of the whole spirit; a mighty emotion which seizes and moves the whole inner man. Hence the restraint implied in μακροθυμια is most correctly expressed by long-suffering, which is its usual rendering in the New Testament. It is a patient holding out under trial; a long-protracted restraint of the soul from yielding to passion, especially the passion of anger. VWS

It would be easy for those who are oppressed to get angry at their oppressors. We are encouraged here to let God be the judge and let Him avenge the wrong. Remember Job? Although he went through a fiery trial, in the end he received twice what he had before. There is hope! Finally, James reminds us of Jesus’ words to not swear by an oath. Our character should be such that our word is our bond – we mean what we say. Our faith is dependent on what we say – see Mark 11:23. Let us speak the words of God and be patient for Him to act.