Final Exhortations

Refreshing our memories

James wrote this epistle to challenge his readers to examine their faith to see if it was genuine saving faith. We breakdown the whole book as a series of tests:

We breakdown the whole book as a series of tests:

The Test of Perseverance in Suffering (1:2-12)

The Test of Blame in Temptation (1:13-18)

The Test of Blame in Temptation (1:13-18)

The Test of Response to the Word (1:19-27)

The Test of Impartial Love (2:1-13)

The Test of the Tongue (3:1-12)

The Test of Wisdom (3:13-18)

The Test of Worldly Indulgence (4:1-12)

The Test of Dependence (4:13-17)

The Test of Patient Endurance (5:1-11)

Our Study for Today:

Before exhorting believers to the patiently endure the suffering that comes upon them, he declares a word of judgement over the wicked rich people that are responsible for much of the suffering that believers suffer.

This passage has been a battleground for interpreters over the centuries as various groups have used it as a proof text for their particular beliefs. Roman Catholics find in it biblical support for the sacrament of extreme unction. Faith healers of every stripe have used it to teach that all sick Christians are guaranteed healing through prayer. Still others see in it a precedent for anointing sick people with oil.

Judgment of the Wicked Rich

The passage raises a number of difficult interpretive questions. What kind of suffering does James have in view in verse 13? What type of sickness is in view in verse 14? Why are the prayers of the elders different from those of other believers (vv. 14–15)? What is the anointing with oil described in verse 14? Does the prayer of faith (v. 15) always restore the sick? How does sickness relate to sin (v. 15)? What type of healing is in view in verse 16? Why does James insert an illustration about rain (vv. 17–18) into the middle of a discussion of healing?

Nothing more clearly reveals the state of a person’s heart than his view of money and material possessions. Many who profess faith in Christ invalidate their claim to genuine saving faith through their opulent, indulgent, materialistic lifestyles—a clear indication that they serve wealth, not God.The Bible does not teach that possessing wealth is sinful in and of itself. In fact, everyone possesses wealth and material goods to one degree or another. What is wrong is to misuse one’s wealth. “The love of money,” wrote Paul in , “is a root of all sorts of evil”; but he later wrote that it is God “who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy” (v. 17). James, like Paul, cautions against the love of money that leads people to misuse the wealth with which God has blessed them for their own selfish, sinful ends.Though primarily addressed to those rich fakers in the church who professed allegiance to Christ but actually pursued riches, James’s warning is a timely one for Christians as well. Believers must be wary of falling into the same sins that characterize unbelievers. James shows the sin of loving money to all so none will fall into it.James begins his denunciation with a forceful pronouncement of impending judgment. In light of the inescapable doom that is coming against the wicked wealthy, James warns, (NASB95) — 1 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you.

The key to answering those questions and properly interpreting the passage lies in understanding it in its context. James wrote his epistle to Jewish believers who had been forced to flee from Palestine by the persecution recorded in . In 1:1 he referred to them as “the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad.” Being both Jewish and Christians, they faced hostility from the pagan culture in which they lived. Knowing that, James opened his epistle with an exhortation to patiently endure trials (1:2ff.). In chapter 5 he returned to that theme. The first six verses described the persecution his poor readers were suffering at the hands of the wicked rich—even to the point of death (v. 6). Verses 7–11 call for patient endurance of trials and persecution (cf. chap. 19 of this volume). James exhorted those about to collapse under the weight of their afflictions to prop up their hearts and resolutely, determinedly persist.

Their Wealth Was Uselessly Hoarded

In view of the overall context of the epistle, particularly chapter 5, it is not surprising that James mentions suffering in 5:13. He calls on those who are suffering the persecution discussed in 5:1–11 to pray, since prayer taps the source of spiritual endurance. It would have been surprising if, in a letter to struggling, persecuted believers, James had neglected to mention prayer. A strong commitment to prayer is a prerequisite to enduring suffering and affliction.

(NASB95) — 2 Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and your silver have rusted; and their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure!

John F. MacArthur Jr., James, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1998), 273–274.

An Exhortation to Prayer

Their Wealth Was Unjustly Gained

John F. MacArthur Jr., James, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1998), 274.

Prayer and Comfort

(NASB95) — 4 Behold, the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields, and which has been withheld by you, cries out against you; and the outcry of those who did the harvesting has reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.

(NASB95) — 13 Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises.

James: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Prayer and Comfort

James addresses not those suffering from physical diseases, but those being persecuted, abused, and treated wickedly.

As an antidote to their suffering, James exhorts them to pray. As noted above, prayer is essential to enduring affliction.

Their Wealth Was Self-Indulgently Spent

They are to seek comfort in God.

2 Corinthians 1:3–4 NASB95

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Prayer and Restoration

(NASB95) — 5 You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.

(NASB95) — 14 Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; 15 and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.

James: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Prayer and Restoration

Here is the most misunderstood and disputed portion of this passage. At first glance it appears to be teaching that sick believers can expect physical healing through the prayers of the elders. But such an interpretation is out of harmony with the context. And as noted in the previous point, the suffering James has in view is evil treatment, not physical illness.

Their Wealth Was Ruthlessly Acquired

James: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Prayer and Restoration

The wounded, exhausted, broken sheep are to go to their shepherds, who will intercede for them and ask God for renewed spiritual strength on their behalf.

James: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Prayer and Restoration

It may well have been that the elders literally rubbed oil on believers who had suffered physical injuries to their bodies from the persecution (cf. Luke 10:34). Medical science was certainly in a primitive state and there were few trustworthy doctors. It would have been a gracious, kind act on the part of the elders to rub oil on the wounds of those who had been beaten, or into the sore muscles of those made to work long hours under harsh treatment.

Prayer and Fellowship

(NASB95) — 6 You have condemned and put to death the righteous man; he does not resist you.

(NASB95) — 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed.

How to Face Trials Patiently

Maintaining open, sharing, and praying relationships with other Christians will help keep believers from bottoming out in their spiritual lives. Such relationships help give the spiritual strength that provides victory over sin. And they also provide godly pressure to confess and forsake sins before they become overwhelming to the point of total spiritual defeat.

Prayer and Power

In the first six verses of chapter 5, James sharply rebuked the wicked rich people who abused the righteous poor. In verses 7–11 he shifts his focus from the persecutors to the persecuted, moving from condemning the faithless, abusive rich to comforting the faithful, abused poor. James also instructs the suffering poor as to what attitude they are to have in the midst of persecution. The theme of this section is defining how to be patient in trials.Trouble is an inevitable part of life, and the universal experience of it reflects the reality that we live in a fallen, cursed world. Job declares early in redemptive history that “man is born for trouble, as sparks fly upward” (). Jesus said in , “In the world you have tribulation,” while Paul warned new Christians in Galatia, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (). Paul also wrote to the Romans of the certainty of suffering in this world (), and told Timothy to “join with me in suffering for the gospel” () because “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (). “Beloved,” Peter counseled, “do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing” ().

(NASB95) — 16b The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. 18 Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.

Anticipate the Lord’s Coming

We will never know the power of prayer unless we actually do it.

(NASB95) — 7 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. 8 You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.

An Exhortation to Seek the ones who fall back

Recognize the Lord’s Judgement

(NASB95) — 19 My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

(NASB95) — 9 Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door.

Follow the Lord’s Servants

(NASB95) — 10 As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

Understand the Lord’s Blessing

(NASB95) — 11 We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.

Realize the Lord’s Purpose

(NASB95) — 11 We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.

Consider the Lord’s Character

(NASB95) — 11 We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.