James 1 Chapter 5 – Literal & Easy To Read

Segment 1: James 5:1–6

(1) Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.
(2) Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.
(3) Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.
(4) Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.
(5) Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.
(6) Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.

1) Commentary & Explanation

  • Verses 1–3
    • James sharply warns wealthy oppressors. Their hoarded riches will decay, and this corruption testifies against them.
    • They’ve stored up wealth “for the last days,” ironically pointing to the coming judgment rather than security.
  • Verses 4–6
    • The unpaid wages of laborers cry out to God for justice. These rich landowners have exploited workers, and God hears the oppressed.
    • They’ve indulged in luxury while injustice flourished, even condemning and killing the innocent who couldn’t resist.
    • This rebuke highlights social injustice and the certainty of divine retribution.

2) Key Greek Terms

  • Corrupted — σήπω (sēpō): to become rotten or decay.
  • Canker — κατιόω (katioō): to corrode or rust over time.
  • Lord of sabaoth — Κύριος Σαβαώθ (Kyrios Sabaōth): “Lord of Hosts,” referencing God’s power over angelic armies.

3) Practical Application

  • Wealth in itself isn’t evil, but hoarding it selfishly and exploiting others is condemned by God.
  • God cares deeply about social justice—cheating employees, underpaying laborers, or ignoring the needs of the vulnerable is a serious offense.
  • Live generously and ethically with whatever resources you have, knowing that God hears the cries of the oppressed.

4) Other References in the Bible

  • Proverbs 22:22–23: Warns against robbing the poor or oppressing the afflicted; God will plead their cause.
  • Luke 16:19–31: Parable of the rich man and Lazarus, illustrating the danger of ignoring the needy.

5) What This Reveals About God’s Character

  • God Is Just: He defends the oppressed and will judge those who exploit them.
  • God Sees Hidden Injustices: Nothing escapes His notice, including unpaid wages and mistreatment of the poor.

6) How This Points to Jesus

  • Jesus Identifies with the Poor & Oppressed: “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40).
  • Christ Will Right Wrongs: In His second coming, He’ll judge oppressors and vindicate the righteous (Revelation 19:11–16).

Segment 2: James 5:7–9

(7) Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
(8) Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
(9) Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.

1) Commentary & Explanation

  • Verse 7
    • James shifts from condemning oppressors to encouraging the oppressed brethren.
    • Calls for patience until Christ returns, likening it to a farmer waiting for crops—he cannot rush the harvest but waits for seasonal rains.
  • Verse 8
    • Reiterates patience and urges believers to “stablish” (strengthen) their hearts with hope in Jesus’ near return.
    • This eschatological perspective fosters endurance under trials.
  • Verse 9
    • Warns against grumbling or holding grudges against each other. Internal strife can arise from external pressures, but James reminds them they risk judgment by turning on one another.
    • “The judge standeth before the door” underscores Christ’s imminent return.

2) Key Greek Terms

  • Be patient — μακροθυμήσατε (makrothymēsete): long-suffering, enduring without retaliation.
  • Stablish — στηρίξατε (stērixate): make firm, fix firmly in place.

3) Practical Application

  • In hard times, look beyond present hardship to the promised return of Jesus. That eternal perspective fuels patient endurance.
  • Resist the temptation to complain or quarrel under stress—turn anxieties into prayer and mutual support instead.
  • Strengthen your heart daily through Scripture, worship, and fellowship, reminding yourself that the Lord is near.

4) Other References in the Bible

  • Galatians 6:9: “Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
  • Philippians 4:5: “The Lord is at hand,” encouraging gentleness and patience.

5) What This Reveals About God’s Character

  • God Is Aware of Our Struggles: He knows how easily we can become weary and promises that Jesus’ return is sure.
  • God Rewards Patience: Like a farmer’s harvest, our perseverance in faith will yield blessings at God’s appointed time.

6) How This Points to Jesus

  • Christ Will Return to Judge & Restore: His second coming is a core Christian hope that motivates perseverance.
  • Jesus Our Example of Patience: He endured suffering on the cross, trusting the Father’s timing for His exaltation (Hebrews 12:2).

Segment 3: James 5:10–12

(10) Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.
(11) Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
(12) But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.

1) Commentary & Explanation

  • Verses 10–11
    • Points to Old Testament prophets as role models for enduring persecution with faithfulness.
    • Job is a prime example of patience in immense suffering—and God ultimately showed compassion toward him.
    • This underscores God’s mercy and tenderness even amid trials.
  • Verse 12
    • Warns against casual or deceptive swearing of oaths. This echoes Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:34–37.
    • Believers should be so truthful and reliable that their simple “yes” or “no” is trustworthy, without needing elaborate vows.

2) Key Greek Terms

  • Patience (Verse 10) — μακροθυμία (makrothymia): endurance, especially under ill-treatment.
  • Pitiful / “Compassionate” — πολύσπλαγχνος (polysplanchnos): literally “many-boweled,” signifying deep compassion.

3) Practical Application

  • Draw inspiration from biblical figures (Job, prophets) who remained steadfast in trials—God was faithful to them, and He’ll be faithful to you.
  • Cultivate honest, straightforward communication—avoid manipulative or exaggerated promises.
  • Let your integrity be evident so that people trust your words without needing an oath.

4) Other References in the Bible

  • Hebrews 11: Lists many prophets and righteous people who endured hardship by faith.
  • Matthew 5:33–37: Jesus teaches not to swear oaths but to let your “yes” be yes and “no” be no.

5) What This Reveals About God’s Character

  • God Is Merciful & Compassionate: Even when we suffer, He cares deeply and can bring about restoration.
  • God Values Truthfulness: He calls us to speak plainly and honestly, reflecting His truthful nature.

6) How This Points to Jesus

  • Christ Suffered Faithfully: He, too, is a model of endurance, trusting the Father through affliction.
  • Jesus’ Teaching on Truthfulness: James’ directive about oaths aligns directly with Christ’s sermon on the mount.

Segment 4: James 5:13–15

(13) Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
(14) Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
(15) And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

1) Commentary & Explanation

  • Verse 13
    • James instructs believers to respond to life’s varied circumstances with prayer and praise.
    • Whether in trouble or in joy, the correct posture is to seek God—either in petition or thanksgiving.
  • Verse 14
    • A directive for the sick to seek spiritual support from church leadership.
    • Anointing with oil often symbolizes dedication to God or invokes God’s healing power; it’s a tangible expression of faith.
  • Verse 15
    • “Prayer of faith” refers to confident, God-trusting prayer offered in Christ’s name.
    • Such prayer can lead to physical healing (“the Lord shall raise him up”) and spiritual forgiveness, reminding us that sin and sickness can be interwoven, though not always directly caused by each other.

2) Key Greek Terms

  • Afflicted — κακοπαθεῖ (kakopathei): suffering hardship or distress.
  • Anointing — ἀλείφω (aleiphō): to apply oil; in a religious context, signifies consecration or a request for divine intervention.

3) Practical Application

  • Turn to God in both sorrow and joy—prayer is not just for crises, nor is praise only for good times.
  • Don’t isolate yourself when ill or in need—seek the prayerful support of mature believers.
  • Trust God’s sovereignty in healing—He can restore physically and spiritually according to His perfect will.

4) Other References in the Bible

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18: Encourages continual rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks in all circumstances.
  • Mark 6:13: The disciples anointed the sick with oil and healed them.

5) What This Reveals About God’s Character

  • God Cares for Our Whole Being: Physical, emotional, and spiritual health matter to Him.
  • God Honors Faith-Filled Prayer: He’s pleased when we come to Him with confidence in His power and mercy.

6) How This Points to Jesus

  • Jesus Is Our Healer: Throughout the Gospels, He healed the sick, showing compassion for physical and spiritual suffering.
  • Christ’s Atonement: Provides forgiveness of sins and paves the way for ultimate healing—both now and in eternity (Isaiah 53:5).

Segment 5: James 5:16–20

(16) Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
(17) Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
(18) And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
(19) Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
(20) Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

1) Commentary & Explanation

  • Verse 16
    • James exhorts believers to mutual honesty and intercession.
    • Confessing sins to one another fosters accountability and healing—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
    • “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” underscores prayer’s power when aligned with God’s will.
  • Verses 17–18
    • Elijah (Elias) example: Though human, he prayed persistently, and God responded miraculously with drought, then rain (see 1 Kings 17–18).
    • Emphasizes that the power is God’s, but faithful, earnest prayer is a vital channel.
  • Verses 19–20
    • Closing encouragement: If someone wanders from truth, believers should seek to restore him.
    • Turning a sinner back to God rescues a soul from spiritual death and covers a multitude of sins—pointing to God’s redemptive grace through genuine repentance and community intervention.

2) Key Greek Terms

  • Confess — ἐξομολογέω (exomologeō): to admit openly or declare one’s faults/sins.
  • Convert — ἐπιστρέφω (epistrephō): to turn back or return to the right path.

3) Practical Application

  • Practice open, gracious fellowship where you can safely confess struggles and pray together.
  • Don’t underestimate the effectiveness of heartfelt, righteous prayer—God can do mighty works through His people’s intercession.
  • Care enough to pursue and restore those who drift from the faith, reflecting God’s heart for the lost.

4) Other References in the Bible

  • Proverbs 28:13: “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.”
  • Galatians 6:1: Encourages restoring a fallen brother gently, watching ourselves too.

5) What This Reveals About God’s Character

  • God Is Merciful: He provides both forgiveness and healing, responding to confession and prayer.
  • God Wants Restoration, Not Condemnation: He rejoices when the stray is brought back.

6) How This Points to Jesus

  • Jesus Forgives & Heals: Throughout the Gospels, Christ addresses sin and sickness—restoring people wholly (Mark 2:1–12).
  • Christ’s Heart for the Straying: He is the Good Shepherd who seeks the lost sheep (Luke 15:4–7). We partner with Him in that mission by bringing back those who wander.