Text: James 5:7-11 (NIV)
7Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
10Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
INTRODUCTION
The Need for Patience. Given the oppressions mentioned in vv. 3-6, James encourages Christians to be patient until the coming of the Lord, and he cites the farmer, the prophets, and Job. “Patience” or “long-suffering” is mentioned four times and “steadfastness” (“endurance”) twice in this section. The first expresses patience in respect of persons and the second in respect of things. James shared with the other NT writers the conviction that the coming of the Lord was near (Lk. 21:31 [4]; I Th. 4:13-18).
The apostle exhorts these who were suffering under these wrongs to exercise patience, James 5:7-11. He encourages them with the hope that the Lord would come; he refers them to the example of the farmer, who waits long for the fruit of the earth; he cautions them against indulging in hard feelings and thoughts against others more prosperous than they were; he refers them, as examples of patience, to the prophets, to the case of Job, and to the Lord Jesus himself.
COMMENTARY
7. BE PATIENT, THEN, BROTHERS AND SISTERS, UNTIL THE LORD’S COMING. SEE HOW THE FARMER WAITS FOR THE LAND TO YIELD ITS VALUABLE CROP, PATIENTLY WAITING FOR THE AUTUMN AND SPRING RAINS.
BE PATIENT, THEN, BROTHERS, and SISTERS, under wrongs like the apostle described in the previous verses. Those whom he addressed were undoubtedly suffering under those oppressions, and his object was to encourage them to bear their wrongs without murmuring and without resistance. One of the methods of doing this was by showing them, in an address to their rich oppressors, that those who injured and wronged them would be suitably punished at the day of judgment or that their cause was in the hands of God. Another method of doing it was by the direct implanting of the duty of patience. Compare the notes at Matthew 5:38-41, Matthew 5:43-45. The meaning here is, “be long patient,” or “suffer with long patience.” The sense of the Greek is, “be long-suffering,” or “let not your patience be exhausted.” Your courage, vigor, and patience is not to be short-lived, but is to be permanent. Let it continue if there is need of it, even to the coming of the Lord. Then you will be released from sufferings.”
UNTIL THE LORD’S COMING. - The coming of the Lord Jesus - either to remove you by death, or to destroy the city of Jerusalem and end the Jewish institutions, or to judge the world and receive his people to himself. The “coming of the Lord” by any means was an event that Christians were taught to expect, and which would relate to their deliverance from troubles. Since the time of his appearing was not revealed, it was not improper to refer to that as an event that might be near; and as the removal of Christians by death is denoted by the phrase “the coming of the Lord” - that is, his coming to each one of us - it was not improper to speak of death in that way. On the general subject of the expectations entertained among the early Christians of the second advent of the Saviour, see 1 Corinthians 15:51[5] note; 2 Thessalonians 2:2-3 note.
“THE AUTUMN AND SPRING RAINS” are also known as the early and late rains. The first germinates the seed; the second matures it. A few of the best MSS omit “rain,” and it has been thought that “fruit” (which is found in a few good MSS) should be repeated, but OT parallels (e.g., Deut. 11:14 [1]; Jer. 5:24; Zech. 10:1) favor the common rendering. The words naturally recall our Lord’s comparison of the consummation of the age to a harvest (Mat. 13:39) [2], and Joel’s prophesy of the former and latter rains after God’s judgment upon His enemies (2:23). Still, it is unsafe to make a simple illustration the basis of prophetical interpretation.
Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth - The farmer waits patiently for the grain to grow. It requires time to mature the crop, and he does not become impatient. The idea seems to be, that we should wait for things to develop themselves in their proper season and should not be impatient [3] before that season arrives. In time we may expect the harvest to be ripened. We cannot hasten it. We cannot control the rain, the sun, the season; and the farmer therefore patiently waits until in the regular course of events he has a harvest. So, we cannot control and hasten the events which are in God’s own keeping; and we should patiently wait for the developments of his will, and the arrangements of his providence, by which we may obtain what we desire.
And hath long patience for it - That is, his patience is not exhausted. It extends through the whole time in which, by the divine arrangements, he may expect a harvest.
Until he receives the early and latter rain - In the climate of Palestine there are two rainy seasons, on which the harvest depends - the autumnal and the spring rains - called here and elsewhere in the Scriptures the early and the latter rains. See Deuteronomy 11:14[1]; Job 29:23; Jeremiah 5:24 [4]. The autumnal or early rains of Scripture usually commence in the latter half of October or the beginning of November; not suddenly, but by degrees, which gives opportunity for the husbandman to sow his fields of wheat and barley. The rains come mostly from the west or south-west, continuing for two or three days at a time, and falling especially during the nights. The wind then hops round to the north or east, and several days of fine weather follow. During the months of November and December the rains continue to fall heavily; afterwards, they return only at longer intervals and are less heavy; but at no period during the winter do they entirely cease to occur.
Snow often falls in Jerusalem, in January and February, to the depth of a foot or more, but it does not last long. Rain continues to fall through the month of March, but it is rare after that period. At the present time there are not any periods of rain, or successions of showers, which might be regarded as distinct rainy seasons. The whole period from October to March now constitutes only one continual rainy season, without any regularly intervening time of prolonged fair weather. Unless, therefore, there has been some change in the climate since the times of the New Testament, the early and the latter rains for which the husbandman waited with longing, seem rather to have implied the first showers of autumn, which revived the parched and thirsty earth, and prepared it for the seed; and the latter showers of spring, which continued to refresh and advance the ripening crops and the fresh products of the fields. In ordinary seasons, from the cessation of the showers in spring until their commencement in October or November, rain never falls, and the sky is usually serene.
8. YOU TOO, BE PATIENT AND STAND FIRM, BECAUSE THE LORD’S COMING IS NEAR.
“BE PATIENT AND STAND FIRM:” (1 Chron. 15:7 [7]; 1Cor. 15:58)
Be ye also patient - in time, as the farmer expects the return of the rain, so you may anticipate deliverance from your trials.
Establish your hearts - Let your purposes and your faith be firm and unwavering. Do not become weary and fretful; but bear with all that is laid upon you, until the time of your deliverance shall come.
BECAUSE THE LORD’S COMING IS NEAR.
Compare Revelation 22:10[8], Revelation 22:12, Revelation 22:20; the notes at 1 Corinthians 15:51. It is clear, I think, from this place, that the apostle expected that that which he understood by “the coming of the Lord” was soon to happen; for it was to be that by which they would obtain deliverance from the trials which they then endured (See James 5:7) [9]. Whether it means that he was soon to come to judgment, or to end the Jewish policy and to set up his kingdom on the earth, or that they would soon be removed by death, cannot be determined from the mere use of the language. The most natural interpretation of the passage, and one which will agree well with the time when the Epistle was written, is, that the predicted time of the destruction of Jerusalem (Matthew 24) was at hand; that there were already indications that that would soon occur; and that there was a prevalent expectation among Christians that that event would be a release from many trials of persecution, and would be followed by the setting up of the Redeemer‘s kingdom.
Perhaps many expected that the judgment would occur at that time, and that the Saviour would set up a personal reign on the earth. But the expectation of others might have been merely - what is indeed all that is necessarily implied in the predictions on the subject - that there would be after that a rapid and extensive spread of the principles of the Christian religion in the world. The destruction of Jerusalem and the temple would contribute to that by ending the whole system of Jewish types and sacrifices; by convincing Christians that there was not to be one central rallying-point, thus destroying their lingering prejudices in favor of the Jewish mode of worship; and by scattering them abroad through the world to propagate the new religion. The Epistle was written, it is supposed, some ten or twelve years before the destruction of Jerusalem, and it is not improbable that there were already some indications of that approaching event.
9. DON’T GRUMBLE (“groan, grieve”) AGAINST ONE ANOTHER, BROTHERS AND SISTERS, OR YOU WILL BE JUDGED. THE JUDGE IS STANDING AT THE DOOR!
From v. 8, it appears that the Judge here, unlike 4:12, is Christ (Mat. 7:22-23; Jn. 5:22). AT THE DOOR: Mat. 24:23 [10]; Mk. 13:29; Rev, 3:20).
DON’T GRUMBLE (“groan,” “grieve”) AGAINST ONE ANOTHER, -- The Greek word for grumble (means, “to sigh”, “to groan”) is used for persons in distress (Rom. 8:23)[11]; and then to sigh or grieve) or groan through impatience, fretfulness, ill-humor; and hence “to murmur, to find fault, to complain.” The exact idea here is, not that of grudging in the sense of dissatisfaction with what others possess, or of being envious; it is that of being fretful and impatient - or, to use a common word which more exactly expresses the sense of grumbling. This may arise from many causes; either because others have advantages which we have not, and we are discontented and unhappy, as if it were wrong in them to have such enjoyments; or because we, without reason, suppose they intend to slight and neglect us; or because we are ready to take offence at any little thing, and to “pick a quarrel” with them. There are some persons who are always grumbling. They have a sour, dissatisfied, discontented temper; they see no excellence in other persons; they are displeased that others are more prosperous, honored, and beloved than they are themselves; they are always complaining of what others do, not because they are injured, but because others seem to them to be weak and foolish; they seem to feel that it becomes them to complain if everything is not done precisely as in their estimation it should be. It is that this spirit - the offspring of pride - will make any man lead a wretched life; and equally needless to say that it is contrary to the spirit of the gospel. (Compare Luke 3:14 [12]; Philippians 4:11)
Lest ye be condemned - That is, for judging others with this spirit - for this spirit is in fact judging them. Compare the notes at Mat. 7:1[13].
Behold, the Judge standeth before the door - The Lord Jesus, who is soon to come to judge the world. See James 5:8.[14] He is, as it were, even now approaching the door - so near that he can hear all that you say.
10. BROTHERS AND SISTERS, AS AN EXAMPLE OF PATIENCE IN THE FACE OF SUFFERING, TAKE THE PROPHETS WHO SPOKE IN THE NAME OF THE LORD.
The prophets: Mat. 23:29-36; Ac. 7:52; Heb. 11:32-39; Spoke in the name of the Lord: i.e., as his representatives (Jer. 11:21[15]; Mat. 7:22, 14).
Take, my brethren, the prophets - That is, in your trials and persecutions. To encourage them to the exercise of patience, he points them to the example of those who had trod the same thorny path before them. The prophets were in general a much-persecuted race of men; and the argument on which the apostle relies from their example is this:
(1) that if the prophets were persecuted and tried, it may be expected that other good men will be.
(2) that they showed such patience in their trials as to be a model for us.
An example of suffering affliction - That is, they showed us how evils are to be borne.
11. AS YOU KNOW, WE COUNT AS BLESSED THOSE WHO HAVE PERSEVERED. YOU HAVE HEARD OF JOB’S PERSEVERANCE AND HAVE SEEN WHAT THE LORD FINALLY BROUGHT ABOUT. THE LORD IS FULL OF COMPASSION AND MERCY.
JOB’S PERSEVERANCE was a familiar subject, in the synagogue teaching (Job 1:2)[16]; 2:10; 13:15). WHAT THE LORD FINALLY BROUGHT ABOUT: i.e., the end that the Lord brought to all his trials (42:12-17). Some have referred this to the Lord’s death, but the decision is at variance with the context and gives the Lord two different meanings in the verse. Christ is not mentioned as an example, as He is in 1 Pe 2:21, probably because James has unbelieving Jews and believing in mind. Knowing suggested that the reason might be that James wished to keep before the eyes of his readers Jesus as the Lord of glory.
Verse 11 is the only place in the NT where Job is referred to, though he is quoted in 1 Cor. 3:19.
BEHOLD, WE COUNT THEM HAPPY WHICH ENDURE - The Greek word rendered “we count them happy” occurs only here and in Luke 1:48, where it is rendered “shall call me blessed.” The Greek word translated blessed, or happy, however, occurs often. See Matthew 5:3-11; Matthew 11:6; Matthew 13:6. The sense here is, we speak of their patience with commendation. They have done what they ought to do, and their name is honored and blessed.0000
YE HAVE HEARD OF THE PATIENCE OF JOB – one of the most memorable instances of enduring suffering. See Job 1:21. The book of Job was written, among other reasons, to show that true religion would bear any form of trial to which it could be subjected. See Job 1:9-11[17] They do not say to themselves, 'Let us fear the LORD our God, who gives autumn and spring rains in season, who assures us of the regular weeks of harvest.'; Job 2:5-6.[6]
And have seen the end of the Lord - That is, the end or design which the Lord had in the trials of Job, or the result to which he brought the case at last - to wit, that he showed himself to be very merciful to the poor sufferer; that he met him with the expressions of his admiration for the manner in which he bore his trials; and that he doubled his former possessions, and restored him to more than his former happiness and honor. See Mark 3:26; 1 Corinthians 15:24; Luke 21:9; Hebrews 7:3;
This interpretation, referring it to the death of the Saviour, would not accord with the remark of the apostle in the close of the verse, “that the Lord is very merciful.” That is, what he says was “seen,” or this was what was chiefly illustrated in the ease referred to. Yet this was not particularly seen in the death of the Lord Jesus. He was indeed most patient and submissive in his death, and it is true that he showed mercy to the penitent malefactor; but this was not the particular and most prominent trait which he displayed in his death. Besides, if it had been, that would not have been the thing to which the apostle would have referred here. His object was to recommend patience under trials, not mercy shown to others; and this he does by showing:
(a) That Job was a prominent instance of it, and,
(b) That the result was such as to encourage us to be patient.
The end or the result of the divine dealings in his case was, that the Lord was “very compassionate and of tender mercy;” and we may hope that it will be so in our case and should therefore be encouraged to be patient under our trials.
That the Lord is very pitiful - As he showed deep compassion in the case of Job, we have equal reason to suppose that he will in our own.
General Notes
[1] (Deuteronomy 11:14). “That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil.” THAT I WILL GIVE YOU THE RAIN OF YOUR LAND IN HIS DUE SEASON,— Moses here personifies God; or, rather, God speaks by him. THE RAIN OF YOUR LAND — Which is good to your land, and not common to Egypt, where there is little rain. THE FIRST RAIN AND THE LATTER RAIN — In Judea and the neighboring countries there is seldom any rain, save at two seasons, about the autumnal and vernal equinox, called THE FORMER AND LATTER RAIN. The first fell about the time of sowing their seed, and served to prepare the ground, and make the grain take root in the earth; and the other when the corn was well grown, toward earing-time, to make the ears full and plump for harvest.
[2] (Mat.13:39). “The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.” Here, as in the parable of the Sower, there is the most distinct recognition of a personal power of evil, the enemy of God thwarting His work.
[3] impatient – “having or showing a tendency to be quickly irritated or provoked;" an impatient motorist blaring his horn." Synonyms: irritated, annoyed, angry, testy, snappy, cross, crabby, moody, grump (Lk. 21:31). “Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.
[4] (Jer. 5:24) (“They do not say to themselves, 'Let us fear the LORD our God, who gives autumn and spring rains in season, who assures us of the regular weeks of harvest.'”
[5] (1 Cor.15:51) “Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed”)
[6] (Job 2:5-6) “Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give all he has for his own life. But now stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face.” The LORD said to Satan, “Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life.”
[7] (1 Chron. 15:7) “from the descendants of Gershon, Joel the leader and 130 relatives;”
[8] (Rev. 22:10) “Then he told me, "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near.”
[9] (James 5:7) “Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.”
[10] (Mat. 24:23) “At that time, if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There He is,' do ...”
[11] (Rom. 8:23) “Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.”.
[12] (Luke 3:14) “Then some soldiers asked him, "And what should we do?" He replied, "Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely--be content with your pay.”
[13] (Mat. 7:1) “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.”
[14] (James 5:8) “You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.”
[15] (Jeremiah 12:1) “You are always righteous, LORD, when I bring a case before you. Yet I would speak with you about your justice: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease?”
[16] (Job 1:2) “He had seven sons and three daughters,”
[17] (Job 1:9-11) “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.”
