Three Exhortations James 5:7-12

Remember last time James was speaking to non-believers for the benefit of the believers and letting them know their day is approaching.

Speaking to the misuse of riches he showed the way they obtained their “so called good life” and the end result.

In comparison James switches to the behavior of the believer in the midst of such corruption in the world around them.

Hebrews & James 1. An Appeal for Stamina in Trials (vv. 7–11)

His readers in these verses were the victims of mistreatment by the wealthy mentioned in 5:1–6.

You Must Be Patient (7-8)

Vs. 7

Hebrews & James 1. An Appeal for Stamina in Trials (vv. 7–11)

Be patient demands an attitude which shows long-suffering in the presence of affliction and injustice. Believers should show this stamina without complaining, giving up, or retaliating. They should be ready to endure affliction without complaint and to remain committed in their obedience to God.

1 Thessalonians 2:19 NASB95

For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?

Galatians 6:9 NASB95

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.

Vs. 8

Luke 21:19 NASB95

“By your endurance you will gain your lives.

1 Thessalonians 3:13 NASB95

so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.

Romans 13:11 NASB95

Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.

1 Peter 4:7 NASB95

The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.

You Must Endure Hardship (9-11)

Vs. 9

Psalm 59:15 NASB95

They wander about for food And growl if they are not satisfied.

1 Corinthians 4:5 NASB95

Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.

God is the Judge of the eternal condition of the soul.

1 Peter 4:5 NASB95

but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

Mark 13:29 NASB95

“Even so, you too, when you see these things happening, recognize that He is near, right at the door.

Vs. 10

Matthew 5:11–12 NASB95

“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Vs. 11

Matthew 5:10 NASB95

“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

1 Peter 3:14–15 NASB95

But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;

Job 1:21–22 NASB95

He said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.

Job 2:10 NASB95

But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

Job 42:10 NASB95

The Lord restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends, and the Lord increased all that Job had twofold.

Job 42:12 NASB95

The Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; and he had 14,000 sheep and 6,000 camels and 1,000 yoke of oxen and 1,000 female donkeys.

Psalm 103:8 NASB95

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.

You Must Speak Truth (12)

Matthew 5:33 NASB95

“Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not make false vows, but shall fulfill your vows to the Lord.’

Hebrews & James 2. An Appeal for a Reverence for God (v. 12)

They warn against the use of a hasty, irreverent oath involving God’s name during a time of suffering or hardship.

Matthew 5:34–37 NASB95

“But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. “Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. “But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil.

James Chapter 5

Both our Lord and his apostle had probably in view “only those profane adjurations with which men who have no deep-seated fear of God garnish their common talk”

James Chapter 5

The special oaths mentioned were those in vogue among the Jews, and just the very ones which our Lord himself had specified

The Idea of I swear by … was prohibited and was quite in use in the day of both Jesus and James.