Bible Commentaries
James 5

Verse 1

1) The plutocratic rich who oppress the poor are called upon to (Gr. holouzontes) cry aloud, howling, because of miseries that shall come for their wicked ways. Luke 6:24; Proverbs 11:28.

2) It is prophetic irony with regards to the deceitfulness of selfishly gleaned and accumulated riches, desire and lust. This concerns the love of riches which is the root of all evil, 1 Timothy 6:17; Galatians 6:7-8; Achan tried it, Joshua 7:21-25; Solomon tried it, Ecclesiastes 2:8-11. Both the Barn Builder and Rich Man tried it. Luke 12:16-21; Luke 16:19-31.

Verse 2

1) Riches ill gotten are moth eaten riches like heirloom robes with moth holes and crawling with moth worms - such wealth brings no lasting peace, Matthew 6:19-20. He who gets riches wrongly sits on, trusts them for life, is like a partridge sitting on eggs that never hatch. Jeremiah 17:11.

2) The writer of this commentary has been much blessed in business endeavors, but feels he can not afford to waste his life making money, 1 Timothy 6:10-11.

MISPLACED CONFIDENCE

Years ago a social event of statewide interest took place in Colorado - the wedding of Charles Tabor, a pioneer millionaire miner, to "Baby Doe." Tabor had divorced his wife that he might marry the young, beautiful and popular socialite. It was a gala occasion. One source of Tabor’s wealth was the Matchless Mine. For a while, things were rosy for the newly weds. Then reverses came. Tabor lost his vast fortune and succumbed to mortal illness. Before his death he said to his bride, "Cling to the Matchless Mine." He felt that the mine would stage a comeback. She took his advice, but the mine didn’t stage the anticipated comeback. She spent the last thirty-six years of her life in poverty, waiting for the mine to bring her wealth and restore her to her former social position. She waited in vain. She died in poverty and without friends. Her confidence was misplaced. The question is pertinent: "Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven". (Proverbs 23:5)

W. B. K.

Verse 3

1) Gold and silver dishonorably gotten and hoarded brings to its holders the sure wrath of God. Human greed for material things deteriorates and thwarts the purpose of God in material things, like destructive chemicals may eat and canker gold and silver.

2) Ill gotten material gain shall eat away at the natural man like fire in his bones, like cancer in his blood, and like leprosy on his body, Luke 12:19; Luke 16:19; Luke 16:31-31; Wealth doesn’t satisfy the soul and wrongly used defames a good name, Acts 5:1-11.

WHAT A FOOL I’VE BEEN!

A rich man lay dying. His little daughter couldn’t understand why her big daddy was so helpless now. She asked, "Daddy, are you going away?" “Yes, dear, I am going away, and I am afraid you won’t see me again," her father answered. The little girl asked, "Daddy have you got a nice house to go to?" The rich man was silent for a moment and then began to cry. He lamented, "What a fool I have been! I have built a great business here and have amassed riches here, but I shall be a pauper there!"

W. B. K.

Verse 4

Wages, held back, and graft against the laborer of the field, is fraudulent, deceitful, and dishonest. The cries of the bent-backed -laborers go up to the ears of the Lord of the day of rest, like the cries of the slave-driven Israelites down in Egypt, Exodus 2:23-24. God hears such cries and shall judge the wicked rich very severely, Galatians 6:7-8.

Verse 5

With consummate sarcasm, James asserts that these rich had gorged themselves and lived like dumb fattening hogs, sleeping just before slaying time, or hog killing time. Luxuriously they had lived the soft life, riotously they had fattened their hearts as fattening ox before slaughter. In spite of all their indulgence, they had still been in want, found no peace and rest in their getting and wallowing in gain of materialism. Isaiah 57:20-21; John 15:5.

Verse 6

1) The wicked rich often control the courts of justice, so that they kill and condemn the righteous, Micah 6:8.

2) In the Christian spirit of our Lord, the poor had endured this evil treatment of the rich wicked and had not resisted, thus the more severe judgement was one day to be upon the wicked. Matthew 5:39.

3) God’s creatures can not be abused, except He be abused. To cheat, steal from, or abuse one of God’s creatures is to cheat, steal from or abuse God. Such He abhors and condemns, Amos 2:6; Amos 8:4-6.

Verse 7

1) As a farmer plants, cultivates and patiently and faithfully awaits the needed rains for planting and for reaping - so children of God are to plant and cultivate and prayerfully wait for the fruits of their labors, even in the lives of their own children, assured that the good harvest day will come, Genesis 8:22; Ecclesiastes 11:1-6; Proverbs 22:6.

2) Pay day, though delayed, surely comes to the faithful sower, Psalms 126:5-6; Isaiah 55:11-12.

3) The term "early rain" refers to the October and November showers; the winter rains of December, January, and February were heavy rains, the "latter rains" fell in April. Little rain falls in all Palestine May 1st to October 15th. Jeremiah 5:24; Hosea 6:3; Job 29:23; Psalms 84:6. The rain and reign of Christ’s blessings are never far away. Wait for them.

Verse 8

The dispersed, persecuted brethren are charged to take hold of patience, stabilize, their hearts and affections, keep them under proper control, because the Judge of the universe, the Lord, Jesus Christ is about to come to the scene. His coming is the incentive for every Christian virtue, Hebrews 10:36-37; Luke 21:19.

ONE DAY AT A TIME

A doctor was once asked by a patient who had met with a serious accident, "Doctor, how long shall I have to lie here?" The answer, "Only a day at a time," taught the patient a precious lesson. It was the same lesson God had recorded for His people of all ages, long before: The day’s portion in its day. Faithful for one short day, long years take care of themselves.

- Andrew Murray

Verse 9

1) James advises that murmuring, groaning and complaining, griping and faultfinding against one another should stop, lest others murmur, groan, and complain against you. The Judge is almost at the door. Timely judgement is about to be rendered, Matthew 24:33; Mark 13:29.

2) Be patient, your wait for final judgement is very short, in comparison with eternity, Deuteronomy 30:3; Acts 1:9-11; Psalms 1:4-6.

WAIT FOR THE MUD TO DRY

Father Graham was an old-fashioned gentleman, beloved by everyone, and his influence in the little town was great, so good and active was he.

A young man of the village had been badly insulted and came to Father Graham full of angry indignation, declaring that he was going at once to demand an apology.

"My dear boy," Father Graham said, "take a word of advice from an old man who loves peace. An insult is like mud; it will brush off much better when it is dry. Wait a little, till he and you both cool, and the thing will be easily mended. If you go now. it will only be to quarrel."

It is pleasant to be able to add the young man took his advice, and before the next day was gone the insulting person came to beg forgiveness.

- Our Young Covenanters

Verse 10

1) Take for example the suffering of the prophets in patience, while they spoke in the name of the Lord. Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham and others are named in Hebrews 11:1-40; Acts 7:52-53. These endured in patient faith.

2) Let these be your carbon copy of daily living under trials and wrongs, James insists. See also Genesis 45:5-8; Genesis 50:20.

ONE NIGHT

The Talmud tells the story of an aged man whom Abraham invited to share his tent but who refused to join Abraham in prayer to the One God. Learning that the man was a fire worshipper, Abraham drove him from his door. That night God appeared to Abraham in a vision and said, "I have borne with that ignorant man for seventy years; could you not have patiently suffered him one night?"

- Knights Treasury

Verse 11

1) Those who endure wrong are counted happy, Matthew 5:10-11; Psalms 94:12.

2) The patience of Job produced Divine blessings in the end; the patience of our Lord sustained Him to pray while dying, even for His enemies, and His God and ours brought Him forth alive and carried Him to glory, Job 1:21; Job 42:10; Hebrews 4:14-16.

3) That same God through Christ is full of pity and tender in mercy to us, who implore His daily help and trust Him to meet our needs, Hebrews 13:5.

Verse 12

1) When persecuted do not use impatient vehement imprecations against your persecutors. To use the name of the Lord in exasperated temper of violent expressions accustoms one to stronger language of cursing and blaspheming, and such is here with forbidden, Matthew 5:34.

2) Christianity seeks to simplify human communications. Language should be of simple expression and from the heart, otherwise it is to take the name of the Lord in vain. To take His name in vain is so clearly forbidden, Exodus 20:7; Matthew 5:33; Matthew 5:37.

Verse 13

1) Any afflicted or in trouble is called upon to pray, relying on the promises of God, without murmuring. The heart that is laughing and glad is to sing with merriment from the Psalms, praising God for the true source of all true joy, Ephesians 5:19; Psalms 100:1-2.

2) The implication is that true worship is the best manner of expressing both joy and sorrow to the Lord, and to one’s fellow man, John 4:24.

Verse 14

1) Any sick (asthenei) "weak one" is charged to call for the elders, mature, ordained brethren of the church and admonished to let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

2) Oil was used as the base of practically all medicines in those days, whereas alcohol is used as a second major base today. James simply admonished that the brethren trust in the Lord, asking the elders of the church to pray for them, then use every medical means of the day available, trusting in the lord for the healing. For all true healing is of the Lord. However, He uses doctors, nurses, and the instrument and means of medicines to effect healing, Mark 7:33; Mark 8:23; John 9:6; Proverbs 17:22.

Verse 15

1) The offered prayer of the faithful is certified to be an instrument of raising up the sick from the sick bed, when the sick shall have acknowledged his need of and dependence on prayer to God and help from his fellow man in the Lord.

2) It is said that. the Lord will raise him up and sins committed will be forgiven him. Thus sickness is often an instrument God uses to call the afflicted to confession upon his back, while looking up into the face of God. Thus, when disease or sickness opens one’s eyes to the realities of life and his dependence on God, such is an indirect blessing. David is an example, Psalms 51:1-19; 1 Corinthians 11:30.

Verse 16

1) Brethren are charged to confess sins to one another, then to pray one for another, that (Gr. hina, in order that) they may find healing, spiritual strength, and restoration to fellowship with one another and God, 1 John 1:9.

2) Availing much is the prayer of the righteous, the one who walks upright before God. To avail much in prayer, one must have a righteous life with moral uprightness and a life of good works without. When we pray for one another, we do not blame each other so much. We are far more tolerant of those we pray for, are more cautious of listening to or circulating stories and tales of wrong against them.

3) While we are charged to pray for one another, to bear our own burdens, and to bear the faults and short-comings of our fellow man, let us remember that Jesus Christ is also obliged to bear observance of our faults and wrongs, Ephesians 4:2-3. Yet, He intercedes to our Father in our behalf daily, 1 John 2:1-2; Hebrews 7:25.

THE LORD ENDURES SUCH

A young attorney was just beginning his practice of law. He saw what he thought was a prospective client coming toward his office. Hastily he lifted the telephone receiver from its cradle and said, "No, no, I couldn’t undertake the case for less than $5,000.00!" He put the receiver down just as the man entered the office. "What can I do for you?" asked the young lawyer. "Oh nothing, Sir. I just came to connect up your telephone!"

W. B. K.

Verse 17

1) As great as Elijah was, he was still a man of human passions and weaknesses; yet he prayed, and prayed earnestly and God intervened, so that no rain fell for 3 1/2 years.

2) James would have the brethren be assured that the no-respector-of-person God, would also heed their earnest prayers, Psalms 116:1-2; Psalms 145:18-19.

Verse 18

1) Again he prayed and rain fell, clouds emptied themselves and the earth brought forth food to satisfy the hungry, 1 Kings 18:42. God interrupts nature’s blessings because of His creatures’ sins, Deuteronomy 28:38-40; Malachi 3:9-11.

2) He also bestows blessings in answer to Christian prayers when they fervently call upon him. He supplies every need in connection with fervent prayer, Philippians 4:19; 1 John 5:14-15.

Verse 19

1) When a brother among us errs, wanders, or is seduced from the truth, by moral departure or doctrinal heresy, a stronger brother should try and may be able to rescue him or convert him from the danger of God’s chastisement in this life, and the loss of rewards, Galatians 6:1; 2 John 1:8-9.

2) Every child of God is "his brother’s keeper" by love, fellowship, prayer, and laboring together, 1 John 1:7; 1 Corinthians 3:9.

Verse 20

1) Errors, mingled with truth, constitute greater danger to children of God. One may err from the truth through intellectual pride, through a speculative turn of thought and confidence in a false teacher, or through association with bad company. A child of God should avoid each, 2 Corinthians 6:14-17.

2) Any brother, however, who is instrumental in converting the erring one from the error of his ways, is said to save his "soul of life," the "person of life" from death and cover a multitude of sins. Whether this refers to rescuing one from the chastening hand of God upon an erring brother to the taking of his life, or whether it be interpreted that he shall save him from a barren, unfruitful life (spiritual death) with regards to service, is not clear.

3) To win the lost from sin and hell is important, but to stay an erring brother from moral or doctrinal wrong and rescue his life of usefulness, may also be an instrument of winning many to Jesus Christ, as Savior and Lord of their lives. Such seems to be the predominant thought here expressed. Blessed are they who pursue such a course without fainting, Galatians 6:9; Psalms 126:5-6.