TG
Everything TrueGospel offers, in one place.

Study

Bible Reader Scripture Search Word Study & Lexicon Bible Study Builder Reading Plans Verse Chains

Reference

The Reference Library Topical Index

Learn

True Gospel Institute

Grow & Share

Blog Q&A Sermon Notes Bible Studies Podcast

Community

Community Student Dashboard

About

About Us Support Us Contact Log In Create Free Account
BSB
← Prev Next →

James 5

BSB·20 verses ·New Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1ComeἌγεAge — to lead, bring, or carryG71 — Full Word Study → nowνῦνnyn — now, at the present timeG3568 — Full Word Study →, you who are richπλούσιοιplousioi — wealthy, rich, abounding in resourcesG4145 — Full Word Study →, weepκλαύσατεklausate — to weep; to cry out in sorrowG2799 — Full Word Study → and wail overἐπὶepi — upon, on, over, againstG1909 — Full Word Study → theταῖςtais — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → miseryταλαιπωρίαιςtalaipōriais — Wretchedness, misery, distressG5004 — Full Word Study → to comeἐπερχομέναιςeperchomenais — to come upon; to arrive; to invadeG1904 — Full Word Study → upon youὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study →. 2Yourὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → richesπλοῦτοςploutos — Material wealth, riches, or abundance of possessionsG4149 — Full Word Study → have rottedσέσηπενsesēpen — to rot, decay, or become corruptedG4595 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → moths have eatenσητόβρωταsētobrōta — moth-eaten, consumed by mothsG4598 — Full Word Study → yourὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → clothesἱμάτιαhimatia — garment, outer clothing, robeG2440 — Full Word Study →. 3Yourὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → goldχρυσὸςchrysos — Gold; precious metal; wealthG5557 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → silverἄργυροςargyros — silver; precious metal or moneyG696 — Full Word Study → are corrodedκατίωταιkatiōtai — to corrode, eat away, consume by decayG2728 — Full Word Study →. Theirαὐτῶνautōn — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → corrosionἰὸςios — Poison; rust; moral corruptionG2447 — Full Word Study → willἔσταιestai — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → testifyμαρτύριονmartyrion — testimony, witness, evidence of truthG3142 — Full Word Study → against youὑμῖνhymin — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → consumeφάγεταιphagetai — To eat food or consumeG5315 — Full Word Study → yourὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → fleshσάρκαςsarkas — flesh, physical body, human natureG4561 — Full Word Study → likeὡςhōs — as, like, when, in the manner thatG5613 — Full Word Study → fireπῦρpyr — Fire; flame; burningG4442 — Full Word Study →. You have hoarded treasureἘθησαυρίσατεEthēsaurisate — to store up, accumulate, treasureG2343 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → the last daysἡμέραιςhēmerais — A 24-hour period; time; eraG2250 — Full Word Study →. 4Lookἰδοὺidou — Look! Behold! See!G2400 — Full Word Study →, theho — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → wagesμισθὸςmisthos — Wages, reward, or payment for laborG3408 — Full Word Study → you withheldἀφυστερημένοςaphysterēmenos — to defraud, rob, or deprive someone of what is rightfully theirsG650 — Full Word Study → from theτῶνtōn — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → workmenἐργατῶνergatōn — laborer, worker, one who worksG2040 — Full Word Study → whoτῶνtōn — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → mowedἀμησάντωνamēsantōn — to reap or harvest grainG270 — Full Word Study → yourὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → fieldsχώραςchōras — land, country, region, territoryG5561 — Full Word Study → are crying outκράζειkrazei — to cry out, shout, or call loudlyG2896 — Full Word Study → againstἀφ’aph’ — from, away from, out ofG575 — Full Word Study → youὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study →. Theαἱhai — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → criesβοαὶboai — Outcry, cry for help, clamorG995 — Full Word Study → of theτῶνtōn — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → harvestersθερισάντωνtherisantōn — to reap or harvestG2325 — Full Word Study → have reachedεἰσεληλύθασιν*eiselēlythasin — to enter, go in, come intoG1525 — Full Word Study → theτὰta — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → earsὦταōta — The physical organ of hearing; an earG3775 — Full Word Study → of the Lord of HostsΣαβαὼθSabaōth — Lord of hosts; armies; heavenly forcesG4519 — Full Word Study →. 5You have lived on earthγῆςgēs — earth, land, ground, worldG1093 — Full Word Study → in luxuryἘτρυφήσατεEtryphēsate — to live in luxury or self-indulgenceG5171 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → self-indulgenceἐσπαταλήσατεespatalēsate — to live luxuriously; to indulge in excessG4684 — Full Word Study →. You have fattenedἐθρέψατεethrepsate — To feed, nourish, or bring upG5142 — Full Word Study → yourὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → heartsκαρδίαςkardias — heart; center of emotion, will, and moral characterG2588 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → the day of slaughterσφαγῆςsphagēs — Slaughter, violent killing, massacreG4967 — Full Word Study →. 6You have condemnedκατεδικάσατεkatedikasate — to pronounce judgment against; to condemnG2613 — Full Word Study → and murdered theτὸνton — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → righteousδίκαιονdikaion — righteous, just, morally uprightG1342 — Full Word Study →, who did not resistἀντιτάσσεταιantitassetai — To resist, oppose, or set oneself againstG498 — Full Word Study → youὑμῖνhymin — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study →. 7Be patientΜακροθυμήσατεMakrothymēsate — to endure with patience; to bear longG3114 — Full Word Study →, thenοὖνoun — therefore, then, so, thusG3767 — Full Word Study →, brothersἀδελφοίadelphoi — brother; male sibling or fellow believerG80 — Full Word Study →, untilἕωςheōs — until; up to a point in time or spaceG2193 — Full Word Study → theτοῦtou — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → Lord’sΚυρίουKyriou — Lord; master; one who has authority or ownershipG2962 — Full Word Study → comingπαρουσίαςparousias — Physical arrival or presence of a personG3952 — Full Word Study →. See howἰδοὺidou — Look! Behold! See!G2400 — Full Word Study → theho — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → farmerγεωργὸςgeōrgos — farmer, agricultural worker, husbandmanG1092 — Full Word Study → awaitsἐκδέχεταιekdechetai — to wait for, await, expectG1551 — Full Word Study → theτὸνton — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → preciousτίμιονtimion — of great value; precious; highly esteemedG5093 — Full Word Study → fruitκαρπὸνkarpon — fruit; produce; result; outcomeG2590 — Full Word Study → of theτῆςtēs — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → soilγῆςgēs — earth, land, ground, worldG1093 — Full Word Study →how patient he isμακροθυμῶνmakrothymōn — to endure with patience; to bear longG3114 — Full Word Study → forἐπ’ep’ — upon, on, over, againstG1909 — Full Word Study → the fall andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → spring rains. 8Youὑμεῖςhymeis — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study →, tooκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study →, be patientμακροθυμήσατεmakrothymēsate — to endure with patience; to bear longG3114 — Full Word Study → and strengthen yourὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → heartsκαρδίαςkardias — heart; center of emotion, will, and moral characterG2588 — Full Word Study →, becauseὅτιhoti — that; because; since; introducing clauses of reason or contentG3754 — Full Word Study → theτοῦtou — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → Lord’sΚυρίουKyriou — Lord; master; one who has authority or ownershipG2962 — Full Word Study → comingπαρουσίαparousia — Physical arrival or presence of a personG3952 — Full Word Study → is nearἤγγικενēngiken — to draw near, approach, come closeG1448 — Full Word Study →. 9Do not complainστενάζετεstenazete — to groan, sigh, or utter deep feelingG4727 — Full Word Study → aboutκατ’kat’ — according to, down along, againstG2596 — Full Word Study → one anotherἀλλήλωνallēlōn — one another; mutual relationshipG240 — Full Word Study →, brothersἀδελφοίadelphoi — brother; male sibling or fellow believerG80 — Full Word Study →, so thatἵναhina — in order that; so that; to the intent thatG2443 — Full Word Study → you will not be judgedκριθῆτεkrithēte — To judge, evaluate, or decideG2919 — Full Word Study →. Lookἰδοὺidou — Look! Behold! See!G2400 — Full Word Study →, theho — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → Judgeκριτὴςkritēs — A judge; one who renders judgment or verdictG2923 — Full Word Study → is standingἕστηκενhestēken — to stand, establish, or cause to standG2476 — Full Word Study → atπρὸpro — before (in time or place)G4253 — Full Word Study → theτῶνtōn — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → doorθυρῶνthyrōn — door, gateway, entranceG2374 — Full Word Study →! 10Brothersἀδελφοίadelphoi — brother; male sibling or fellow believerG80 — Full Word Study →, as an example of patienceμακροθυμίαςmakrothymias — Patient endurance; longsuffering forbearanceG3115 — Full Word Study → in afflictionκακοπαθίαςkakopathias — Endurance through hardship; patient sufferingG2552 — Full Word Study →, takeλάβετεlabete — to take, receive, or obtainG2983 — Full Word Study → theτοὺςtous — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → prophetsπροφήταςprophētas — One who speaks for God; a messenger of divine truthG4396 — Full Word Study → whoοἳhoi — who, which, thatG3739 — Full Word Study → spokeἐλάλησανelalēsan — to speak, say, or utter wordsG2980 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → theτῷtō — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → nameὀνόματιonomati — name, reputation, or authorityG3686 — Full Word Study → of the Lord. 11See howἰδοὺidou — Look! Behold! See!G2400 — Full Word Study → blessed we considerμακαρίζομενmakarizomen — to declare blessed or happy; to pronounce fortunateG3106 — Full Word Study → those whoτοὺςtous — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → have perseveredὑπομείνανταςhypomeinantas — To endure, persist, or remain under pressureG5278 — Full Word Study →. You have heardἠκούσατεēkousate — to hear, listen, or understand by earG191 — Full Word Study → of Job’sἸὼβIōb — Job, the patriarchG2492 — Full Word Study → perseveranceὑπομονὴνhypomonēn — Steadfast endurance; patient perseverance through trialsG5281 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → have seenεἴδετεeidete — To see, perceive, or observe with the eyes or mindG3708 — Full Word Study → theτὸto — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → outcomeτέλοςtelos — end, goal, completion, taxG5056 — Full Word Study → from theho — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → LordΚύριοςKyrios — Lord; master; one who has authority or ownershipG2962 — Full Word Study →. The Lord isἐστινestin — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → full of compassionπολύσπλαγχνόςpolysplanchnos — Exceedingly compassionate; moved with deep mercyG4184 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → mercyοἰκτίρμωνoiktirmōn — compassionate, merciful, showing tender mercyG3629 — Full Word Study →. 12AboveΠρὸPro — before (in time or place)G4253 — Full Word Study → allπάντωνpantōn — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study →, myμουmou — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → brothersἀδελφοίadelphoi — brother; male sibling or fellow believerG80 — Full Word Study →, do not swearὀμνύετεomnyete — to swear an oath; to vow solemnlyG3660 — Full Word Study →, not by heavenοὐρανὸνouranon — Heaven; the sky; God's dwelling placeG3772 — Full Word Study → or earthγῆνgēn — earth, land, ground, worldG1093 — Full Word Study → or by anyτινὰtina — a certain one; some; anyone; an indefinite pronounG5100 — Full Word Study → otherἄλλονallon — another, other, different oneG243 — Full Word Study → oathὅρκονhorkon — A solemn binding oath or vow before GodG3727 — Full Word Study →. Simplyδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → let your “YesΝαὶNai — Yes; affirmation of truth or agreementG3483 — Full Word Study →beἤτωētō — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → yesναίnai — Yes; affirmation of truth or agreementG3483 — Full Word Study →, andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → your “NoΟὒOu — No, not, negation particleG3756 — Full Word Study →,” noοὔou — No, not, negation particleG3756 — Full Word Study →, so thatἵναhina — in order that; so that; to the intent thatG2443 — Full Word Study → you will not fallπέσητεpesēte — to fall, collapse, or fall downG4098 — Full Word Study → underὑπὸhypo — under; by; from the agency ofG5259 — Full Word Study → judgmentκρίσινkrisin — judgment, decision, or verdictG2920 — Full Word Study →. 13Is any one ofἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → youὑμῖνhymin — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → sufferingΚακοπαθεῖKakopathei — To endure hardship; suffer afflictionG2553 — Full Word Study →? He should prayπροσευχέσθωproseuchesthō — to pray, to make petition to GodG4336 — Full Word Study →. Is anyone cheerfulεὐθυμεῖeuthymei — to be of good cheer; to be cheerful or courageousG2114 — Full Word Study →? He should sing praisesψαλλέτωpsalletō — To sing praise or make melodyG5567 — Full Word Study →. 14Is any one ofἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → youὑμῖνhymin — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → sickἀσθενεῖasthenei — to be weak, to lack strength, to be sickG770 — Full Word Study →? He should callπροσκαλεσάσθωproskalesasthō — to call upon, summon, inviteG4341 — Full Word Study → theτοὺςtous — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → eldersπρεσβυτέρουςpresbyterous — An elder; one who is older or senior in authorityG4245 — Full Word Study → of theτῆςtēs — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → churchἐκκλησίαςekklēsias — Assembly of called-out believers; the churchG1577 — Full Word Study → to prayπροσευξάσθωσανproseuxasthōsan — to pray, to make petition to GodG4336 — Full Word Study → overἐπ’ep’ — upon, on, over, againstG1909 — Full Word Study → himαὐτὸνauton — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → and anointἀλείψαντεςaleipsantes — to anoint with oilG218 — Full Word Study → him‹αὐτὸν›auton — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → with oilἐλαίῳelaiō — olive oil; anointing oilG1637 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → theτῷtō — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → nameὀνόματιonomati — name, reputation, or authorityG3686 — Full Word Study → of theτοῦtou — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → LordΚυρίουKyriou — Lord; master; one who has authority or ownershipG2962 — Full Word Study →. 15Andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → thehē — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → prayer offeredεὐχὴeuchē — A solemn vow or earnest prayerG2171 — Full Word Study → in faithπίστεωςpisteōs — Trust, belief, confidence in GodG4102 — Full Word Study → will restoreσώσειsōsei — To save, rescue, or deliver from danger or harmG4982 — Full Word Study → the one whoτὸνton — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → is sickκάμνονταkamnonta — to grow weary; to be sick or weakG2577 — Full Word Study →. Theho — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → LordΚύριοςKyrios — Lord; master; one who has authority or ownershipG2962 — Full Word Study → will raise him upἐγερεῖegerei — To raise up, arise, or awakenG1453 — Full Word Study →. Ifκἂνkan — even if, although, or at leastG2579 — Full Word Study → heē — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → has sinnedπεποιηκώςpepoiēkōs — to do, make, perform, or accomplishG4160 — Full Word Study →, he will be forgivenἀφεθήσεταιaphethēsetai — to release, forgive, or send awayG863 — Full Word Study →. 16Thereforeοὖνoun — therefore, then, so, thusG3767 — Full Word Study → confessἘξομολογεῖσθεExomologeisthe — to confess openly, acknowledge, or professG1843 — Full Word Study → your sinsἁμαρτίαςhamartias — transgression, violation of God's law; wrongdoingG266 — Full Word Study → to each otherἀλλήλοιςallēlois — one another; mutual relationshipG240 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → prayεὔχεσθε*euchesthe — to pray or wish for earnestlyG2172 — Full Word Study → forὑπὲρhyper — on behalf of, for the sake of, above, beyondG5228 — Full Word Study → each otherἀλλήλωνallēlōn — one another; mutual relationshipG240 — Full Word Study → so thatὅπωςhopōs — in order that, so that, that (purpose or result)G3704 — Full Word Study → you may be healedἰαθῆτεiathēte — to heal, to cure, to make wholeG2390 — Full Word Study →. The prayer of a righteous man has great powerἐνεργουμένηenergoumenē — to work, be active, operate with powerG1754 — Full Word Study → to prevailἰσχύειischyei — to be strong, to have power or abilityG2480 — Full Word Study →. 17ElijahἨλίαςĒlias — God is my salvationG2243 — Full Word Study → wasἦνēn — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → a manἄνθρωποςanthrōpos — human being, man, personG444 — Full Word Study → just likeὁμοιοπαθὴςhomoiopathēs — Subject to the same passions or sufferings as othersG3663 — Full Word Study → usἡμῖνhēmin — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study →. He prayed earnestlyπροσευχῇproseuchē — Prayer, supplication, or earnest request to GodG4335 — Full Word Study → that it would not rainβρέξαιbrexai — to rain, send rain downG1026 — Full Word Study →, andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → it did not rainἔβρεξενebrexen — to rain, send rain downG1026 — Full Word Study → onἐπὶepi — upon, on, over, againstG1909 — Full Word Study → theτῆςtēs — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → landγῆςgēs — earth, land, ground, worldG1093 — Full Word Study → for threeτρεῖςtreis — The number threeG5140 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → a half yearsἐνιαυτοὺςeniautous — a period of one year; annual cycleG1763 — Full Word Study →. 18Againπάλινpalin — again; once more; in returnG3825 — Full Word Study → he prayedπροσηύξατοprosēuxato — to pray, to make petition to GodG4336 — Full Word Study →, andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → theho — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → heavensοὐρανὸςouranos — Heaven; the sky; God's dwelling placeG3772 — Full Word Study → gaveἔδωκενedōken — to give, grant, or bestowG1325 — Full Word Study → rainὑετὸνhyeton — rain, rainfallG5205 — Full Word Study →, andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → thehē — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → earthγῆgē — earth, land, ground, worldG1093 — Full Word Study → yieldedἐβλάστησενeblastēsen — to sprout, bud, or spring forthG985 — Full Word Study → itsαὐτῆςautēs — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → cropsκαρπὸνkarpon — fruit; produce; result; outcomeG2590 — Full Word Study →. 19Myμουmou — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → brothersἈδελφοίAdelphoi — brother; male sibling or fellow believerG80 — Full Word Study →, ifἐάνean — conditional particle; if, whether, in case thatG1437 — Full Word Study → oneτιςtis — a certain one; some; anyone; an indefinite pronounG5100 — Full Word Study → ofἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → youὑμῖνhymin — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → should wanderπλανηθῇplanēthē — to lead astray, deceive, or cause to wanderG4105 — Full Word Study → fromἀπὸapo — from, away from, out ofG575 — Full Word Study → theτῆςtēs — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → truthἀληθείαςalētheias — Truth; reality; authenticityG225 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → someoneτιςtis — a certain one; some; anyone; an indefinite pronounG5100 — Full Word Study → should bring him backἐπιστρέψῃepistrepsē — to turn around, return, or convertG1994 — Full Word Study →, 20considerγινωσκέτω*ginōsketō — To know, understand, or perceiveG1097 — Full Word Study → thisὅτιhoti — that; because; since; introducing clauses of reason or contentG3754 — Full Word Study →: Whoeverho — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → turnsἐπιστρέψαςepistrepsas — to turn around, return, or convertG1994 — Full Word Study → a sinnerἁμαρτωλὸνhamartōlon — sinful person; one who sinsG268 — Full Word Study → fromἐκek — out from, out of, from withinG1537 — Full Word Study → the error of hisαὐτοῦautou — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → wayὁδοῦhodou — road, way, path, journeyG3598 — Full Word Study → will saveσώσειsōsei — To save, rescue, or deliver from danger or harmG4982 — Full Word Study → hisαὐτοῦautou — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → soulψυχὴνpsychēn — The immaterial self; life force; personG5590 — Full Word Study → fromἐκek — out from, out of, from withinG1537 — Full Word Study → deathθανάτουthanatou — Death; the state or condition of being deadG2288 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → cover overκαλύψειkalypsei — to cover, hide, concealG2572 — Full Word Study → a multitudeπλῆθοςplēthos — a large crowd or multitude of peopleG4128 — Full Word Study → of sinsἁμαρτιῶνhamartiōn — transgression, violation of God's law; wrongdoingG266 — Full Word Study →.
Scripture Explorer
Original Language
Notes & Doctrine
Chapter Commentary
Cross-Refs
Highlight
My Note
Original Hebrew / Greek
Loading…
Translation Notes & Doctrine — This Verse
Loading…
Chapter Commentary — James 5
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

James chapter 5 addresses two primary audiences and themes that bookend the epistle with urgency and hope. First, James pronounces stern judgment against the rich who have exploited the poor and lived selfishly, calling them to repentance before Christ's return. Second, he encourages believers—particularly those suffering under such injustice—to remain patient, prayerful, and faithful, anchoring their hope in the nearness of Christ's coming and the power of intercessory prayer. Throughout this final chapter, James weaves together themes of divine justice, patient endurance, and the transformative power of faith-filled prayer.

Verses 1–6: Warning to the Exploitative Rich

James opens with a startling call: "Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you" (v. 1). This is not a gentle rebuke but a prophetic summons to repentance. James then describes the futility of wealth: riches corrode, garments decay, gold and silver rust (vv. 2–3). These images communicate that material possessions offer no ultimate security and will testify against the wealthy on judgment day, not for them.

The most serious accusation follows: these wealthy have withheld laborers' wages through fraud (v. 4). James invokes the Old Testament principle that unpaid wages cry out to God (cf. Deuteronomy 24:14–15). The phrase "Lord of sabaoth" (Lord of hosts) emphasizes God's supreme authority and His attentiveness to the cries of the exploited. Verses 5–6 expose the spiritual consequence of this injustice: the rich have lived in selfish pleasure, nourished their own desires "as in a day of slaughter" (suggesting impending judgment), and even condemned the righteous without resistance. The grievous sin here is not wealth itself, but the love of money that leads to oppression and injustice.

Application: Christians must examine their use of money. Do we ensure fair wages and ethical treatment of those under our authority? Does our pursuit of comfort blind us to others' suffering?

Verses 7–12: Call to Patient Endurance

Having addressed the wealthy oppressors, James now comforts the afflicted believers: "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord" (v. 7). The metaphor of the husbandman waiting for rain illustrates patient faith. Just as a farmer cannot force the harvest but must wait for both early and latter rains, believers must trust God's timing. Verse 8 sharpens the encouragement: "the coming of the Lord draweth nigh." This imminent expectation of Christ's return is not escapism but the ultimate ground for patience in present suffering.

Verses 9–11 warn against bitterness that fractures community. Grudging against one another invites judgment; therefore, believers should look to the prophets and especially Job as examples of suffering endured with faith. Though Job questioned God, he ultimately submitted and witnessed God's mercy and compassion (v. 11). Finally, verse 12 calls for integrity in speech: let your "yea be yea" and "nay be nay"—simple, truthful words without elaborate oaths. This reflects Jesus' teaching (Matthew 5:33–37) and underscores that faithfulness in small things (honest speech) matters eternally.

Application: In trials, fix your eyes on Christ's return rather than present circumstances. Let your word be reliable; let your patience be evident.

Verses 13–20: Prayer, Healing, and Restoration

James closes with practical counsel on prayer's power. Whether afflicted, joyful, or sick, believers should pray and call for the elders' anointing prayer (vv. 13–15). The prayer of faith, offered by righteous intercessors, "availeth much" (v. 16). Elijah's mighty prayers, bringing drought and rain, illustrate how earnest prayer moves God's hand (vv. 17–18). Finally, James calls believers to restore wandering brothers, knowing that converting a sinner "shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins" (vv. 19–20)—a beautiful echo of Christ's redemptive work.

Application: Pray without ceasing. Seek healing through the church community. When you see a brother or sister drifting from truth, pursue restoration lovingly.

Application for Today

James 5 confronts us with two challenges: to ensure our pursuit of provision reflects kingdom values of justice and generosity, and to anchor our hope in Christ's return rather than earthly security. May we wait patiently, pray fervently, and live faithfully, knowing that our King is near.

Cross References
Loading…
Highlight This Verse
My Note