James 5
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Commentaries
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Go to now - See on Jam 4:13. Weep and howl for your miseries - St. James seems to refer here, in the spirit of prophecy, to the destruction that was coming upon the Jews, not only in Judea, but in all the provinces where they sojourned. He seems here to assume the very air and character of a prophet; and in the most dignified language and peculiarly expressive and energetic images, foretells the desolations that were coming upon this bad people.
Open source ↗WOES COMING ON THE WICKED RICH: BELIEVERS SHOULD BE PATIENT UNTO THE LORD'S COMING: VARIOUS EXHORTATIONS. (Jam. 5:1-20) Go to now--Come now. A phrase to call solemn attention. ye rich--who have neglected the true enjoyment of riches, which consists in doing good. James intends this address to rich Jewish unbelievers, not so much for themselves, as for the saints, that they may bear with patience the violence of the rich (Jam 5:7), knowing that God will speedily avenge them on their oppressors [BENGEL]. miseries that shall come--literally, "that are coming upon you" unexpectedly and swiftly, namely, at the coming of the Lord (Jam 5:7); primarily, at the destruction of Jerusalem; finally, at His visible coming to judge the world.
Open source ↗Go to now, ye rich men,.... All rich men are not here designed; there are some rich men who are good men, and make a good use of their riches, and do not abuse them, as these here are represented; and yet wicked rich men, or those that were the openly profane, are not here intended neither; for the apostle only writes to such who were within the church, and not without, who were professors of religion; and such rich men are addressed here, who, notwithstanding their profession, were not rich towards God, but laid up treasure for themselves, and trusted in their riches, and boasted of the multitude of their wealth; and did not trust in God, and make use of their substance to his glory, and the good of his interest, as they should have done: weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you; meaning, not temporal calamities that should come upon them at the destruction of Jerusalem, in which the rich greatly suffered by the robbers among themselves, as well as by the Roman soldiers; for the apostle is not writing to the Jews in Judea, and at Jerusalem; but to the Christians of the twelve tribes scattered in the several parts of the world, and who were not distressed by that calamity; but eternal miseries, or the torments of hell are intended, which, unless they repented of their sins, would shortly, suddenly, and unavoidably come upon them, when their present joy and laughter would be turned into howling and weeping.
Open source ↗The apostle is here addressing first sinners and then saints. I. Let us consider the address to sinners; and here we find James seconding what his great Master had said: Woe unto you that are rich; for you have received your consolation, Luk 6:24. The rich people to whom this word of warning was sent were not such as professed the Christian religion, but the worldly and unbelieving Jews, such as are here said to condemn and kill the just, which the Christians had no power to do; and though this epistle was written for the sake of the faithful, and was sent principally to them, yet, by an apostrophe, the infidel Jews may be well supposed here spoken to. They would not hear the word, and therefore it is written, that they might read it. It is observable, in the very first inscription of this epistle, that it is not directed, as Paul's epistles were, to the brethren in Christ, but, in general, to the twelve tribes; and the salutation is not, grace and peace from Christ, but, in general, greeting, Jam 1:1. The poor among the Jews received the gospel, and many of them believed; but the generality of the rich rejected Christianity, and were hardened in their unbelief, and hated and persecuted those who believed on Christ. To these oppressing, unbelieving, persecuting, rich people, the apostle addresses himself in the first six verses. 1. He foretels the judgments of God that should come upon them, Jam 5:1-3. they should have miseries come upon them, and such dreadful miseries that the very apprehension of them was enough to make them weep and howl - misery that should arise from the very things in which they placed their happiness, and misery that should be completed by these things witnessing against them at the last, to their utter destruction; and they are now called to re…
Open source ↗5:1-6 This section denounces the rich people for their greed and arrogant oppression of the poor (Lev 19:13). James warns them to repent while they can; if they do not, they will face terrible troubles . . . on the day of judgment.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
ἄγε (áge, G33) — properly, lead, i.e. come on νῦν (nŷn, G3568) — "now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or… πλούσιος (ploúsios, G4145) — wealthy; figuratively, abounding with κλαίω (klaíō, G2799) — to sob, i.e. wail aloud (whereas 1145 is rather to cry silently) ὀλολύζω (ololýzō, G3649) — to "howl" or "halloo", i.e. shriek ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… ὑμῶν (hymōn, G5216) — of (from or concerning) you ταλαιπωρία (talaipōría, G5004) — wretchedness, i.e. calamity ἐπέρχομαι (epérchomai, G1904) — to supervene, i.e. arrive, occur, impend, attack, (figuratively) influence
Open source ↗ὑμῶν (hymōn, G5216) — of (from or concerning) you πλοῦτος (ploûtos, G4149) — wealth (as fulness), i.e. (literally) money, possessions, or (figuratively) abundance,… σήπω (sḗpō, G4595) — to putrefy, i.e. (figuratively) perish καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἱμάτιον (himátion, G2440) — a dress (inner or outer) γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… σητόβρωτος (sētóbrōtos, G4598) — moth-eaten
Open source ↗ὑμῶν (hymōn, G5216) — of (from or concerning) you χρυσός (chrysós, G5557) — gold; by extension, a golden article, as an ornament or coin καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἄργυρος (árgyros, G696) — silver (the metal, in the articles or coin) κατιόω (katióō, G2728) — to rust down, i.e. corrode ἰός (iós, G2447) — rust (as if emitted by metals); also venom (as emitted by serpents) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἔσομαι (ésomai, G2071) — will be μαρτύριον (martýrion, G3142) — something evidential, i.e. (genitive case) evidence given or (specially), the Decalogue… εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you φάγω (phágō, G5315) — to eat (literally or figuratively) σάρξ (sárx, G4561) — flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by… ὡς (hōs, G5613) — which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
Open source ↗ἰδού (idoú, G2400) — used as imperative lo!; μισθός (misthós, G3408) — pay for service (literally or figuratively), good or bad ἐργάτης (ergátēs, G2040) — a toiler; figuratively, a teacher ὁ (ho, G3588) — the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom) ἀμάω (amáō, G270) — properly, to collect, i.e. (by implication) reap ὑμῶν (hymōn, G5216) — of (from or concerning) you χώρα (chṓra, G5561) — room, i.e. a space of territory (more or less extensive; often including its inhabitants) ἀπό (apó, G575) — "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation;… ἀποστερέω (aposteréō, G650) — to despoil κράζω (krázō, G2896) — properly, to "croak" (as a raven) or scream, i.e. (genitive case) to call aloud (shriek,… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… βοή (boḗ, G995) — a halloo, i.e. call (for aid, etc.) θερίζω (therízō, G2325) — to harvest εἰσέρχομαι (eisérchomai, G1525) — to enter (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗τρυφάω (trypháō, G5171) — to indulge in luxury ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… γῆ (gē, G1093) — soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… σπαταλάω (spataláō, G4684) — to be voluptuous τρέφω (tréphō, G5142) — but perhaps strengthened from the base of G5157 (τροπή) through the idea of convolution);… ὑμῶν (hymōn, G5216) — of (from or concerning) you καρδία (kardía, G2588) — the heart, i.e. (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the… ὡς (hōs, G5613) — which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἡμέρα (hēméra, G2250) — day, i.e. (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but… σφαγή (sphagḗ, G4967) — butchery (of animals for food or sacrifice, or (figuratively) of men (destruction))
Open source ↗καταδικάζω (katadikázō, G2613) — to adjudge against, i.e. pronounce guilty φονεύω (phoneúō, G5407) — to be a murderer (of) δίκαιος (díkaios, G1342) — equitable (in character or act); by implication, innocent, holy (absolutely or relatively) ἀντιτάσσομαι (antitássomai, G498) — to range oneself against, i.e. oppose οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you
Open source ↗μακροθυμέω (makrothyméō, G3114) — to be long-spirited, i.e. (objectively) forbearing or (subjectively) patient οὖν (oûn, G3767) — (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly ἀδελφός (adelphós, G80) — a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1 (Α)) ἕως (héōs, G2193) — a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place) παρουσία (parousía, G3952) — a being near, i.e. advent (often, return; specially, of Christ to punish Jerusalem, or… κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… ἰδού (idoú, G2400) — used as imperative lo!; γεωργός (geōrgós, G1092) — a land-worker, i.e. farmer ἐκδέχομαι (ekdéchomai, G1551) — to accept from some source, i.e. (by implication) to await τίμιος (tímios, G5093) — valuable, i.e. (objectively) costly, or (subjectively) honored, esteemed, or… καρπός (karpós, G2590) — fruit (as plucked), literally or figuratively γῆ (gē, G1093) — soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe… ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the…
Open source ↗μακροθυμέω (makrothyméō, G3114) — to be long-spirited, i.e. (objectively) forbearing or (subjectively) patient ὑμεῖς (hymeîs, G5210) — you (as subjective of verb) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… στηρίζω (stērízō, G4741) — to set fast, i.e. (literally) to turn resolutely in a certain direction, or… ὑμῶν (hymōn, G5216) — of (from or concerning) you καρδία (kardía, G2588) — the heart, i.e. (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the… ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because παρουσία (parousía, G3952) — a being near, i.e. advent (often, return; specially, of Christ to punish Jerusalem, or… κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… ἐγγίζω (engízō, G1448) — to make near, i.e. (reflexively) approach
Open source ↗στενάζω (stenázō, G4727) — to make (intransitively, be) in straits, i.e. (by implication) to sigh, murmur, pray… μή (mḗ, G3361) — (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer… κατά (katá, G2596) — (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case… ἀλλήλων (allḗlōn, G240) — one another ἀδελφός (adelphós, G80) — a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1 (Α)) ἵνα μή (hína mḗ, G3363) — in order (or so) that not κατακρίνω (katakrínō, G2632) — to judge against, i.e. sentence ἰδού (idoú, G2400) — used as imperative lo!; κριτής (kritḗs, G2923) — a judge (genitive case or specially) ἵστημι (hístēmi, G2476) — to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or… πρό (pró, G4253) — "fore", i.e. in front of, prior (figuratively, superior) to θύρα (thýra, G2374) — a portal or entrance (the opening or the closure, literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗λαμβάνω (lambánō, G2983) — while G138 (αἱρέομαι) is more violent, to seize or remove)) μοῦ (moû, G3450) — of me ἀδελφός (adelphós, G80) — a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1 (Α)) προφήτης (prophḗtēs, G4396) — a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that λαλέω (laléō, G2980) — to talk, i.e. utter words ὄνομα (ónoma, G3686) — a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character) κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… ὑπόδειγμα (hypódeigma, G5262) — an exhibit for imitation or warning (figuratively, specimen, adumbration) κακοπάθεια (kakopátheia, G2552) — hardship καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… μακροθυμία (makrothymía, G3115) — longanimity, i.e. (objectively) forbearance or (subjectively) fortitude
Open source ↗ἰδού (idoú, G2400) — used as imperative lo!; μακαρίζω (makarízō, G3106) — to beatify, i.e. pronounce (or esteem) fortunate ὑπομένω (hypoménō, G5278) — to stay under (behind), i.e. remain; figuratively, to undergo, i.e. bear (trials), have… ἀκούω (akoúō, G191) — to hear (in various senses) ὑπομονή (hypomonḗ, G5281) — cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy Ἰώβ (Iṓb, G2492) — Job (i.e. Ijob), a patriarch καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… τέλος (télos, G5056) — properly, the point aimed at as a limit, i.e. (by implication) the conclusion of an act… κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are πολύσπλαγχνος (polýsplanchnos, G4184) — extremely compassionate οἰκτίρμων (oiktírmōn, G3629) — compassionate
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. πρό (pró, G4253) — "fore", i.e. in front of, prior (figuratively, superior) to πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole μοῦ (moû, G3450) — of me ἀδελφός (adelphós, G80) — a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1 (Α)) ὀμνύω (omnýō, G3660) — to swear, i.e. take (or declare on) oath μή (mḗ, G3361) — (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer… μήτε (mḗte, G3383) — not too, i.e. (in continued negation) neither or nor; also, not even οὐρανός (ouranós, G3772) — the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power,… γῆ (gē, G1093) — soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe… τὶς (tìs, G5100) — some or any person or object ἄλλος (állos, G243) — "else," i.e. different (in many applications) ὅρκος (hórkos, G3727) — perhaps akin to G3725 (ὅριον)); a limit, i.e. (sacred) restraint (specially, an oath) ἤτω (ḗtō, G2277) — let him (or it) be
Open source ↗κακοπαθέω (kakopathéō, G2553) — to undergo hardship τὶς (tìs, G5100) — some or any person or object ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you προσεύχομαι (proseúchomai, G4336) — to pray to God, i.e. supplicate, worship εὐθυμέω (euthyméō, G2114) — to cheer up, i.e. (intransitively) be cheerful; neuter comparative (adverbially) more… ψάλλω (psállō, G5567) — compare G5597 (ψώχω)); to twitch or twang, i.e. to play on a stringed instrument…
Open source ↗ἀσθενέω (asthenéō, G770) — to be feeble (in any sense) τὶς (tìs, G5100) — some or any person or object ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you προσκαλέομαι (proskaléomai, G4341) — to call toward oneself, i.e. summon, invite πρεσβύτερος (presbýteros, G4245) — older; as noun, a senior; specially, an Israelite Sanhedrist (also figuratively, member… ἐκκλησία (ekklēsía, G1577) — a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… προσεύχομαι (proseúchomai, G4336) — to pray to God, i.e. supplicate, worship ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἀλείφω (aleíphō, G218) — to oil (with perfume) ἔλαιον (élaion, G1637) — olive oil ὄνομα (ónoma, G3686) — a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
Open source ↗Cross-references
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He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like foliage.
Riches are worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness brings deliverance from death.
This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches.
For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its flower falls and its beauty is lost. So too, the rich man will fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
For the wealthy of the city are full of violence, and its residents speak lies; their tongues are deceitful in their mouths.
Wail, for the Day of the LORD is near; it will come as destruction from the Almighty.
Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to deliver them on the Day of the LORD’s wrath. The whole earth will be consumed by the fire of His jealousy.” For indeed, He will make a sudden end of all who dwell on the earth.
But Jeshurun grew fat and kicked— becoming fat, bloated, and gorged. He abandoned the God who made him and scorned the Rock of his salvation.
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.”
But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you and drag you into court?