James 5
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Chapter 5
Chapter 5
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Overview
A series of Test 1. Response to trials (1:2-3)
2. Response to temptation (1:13-17)
3. Response to the truth of God’s word (1:18)
4. The test of favoritism (2:1)
5. The trial of shallow conviction (2:18)
6. The trial of the tongue (3:1-12)
7. Our response to money
How do we handle money
1 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you!
(5:1) Come now, you rich, weep and howl
Q: Is it a sin to possess money?
No Not a sin to posses money (Prov 10:22)
— But our hearts reveal what we think about money (Matt 6:19-21)
22 The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.
19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Condemned Many OT condemn the greed of the rich
Join house to house in their lust for more property (Isa 5:8)
— Houses made larger and larger. Drive up prices, squeeze the poor, inflate prices. Ruthless greed, avarice
— Every empty piece of land is occupied - no place where you can be alone. Gentrification
— Seize houses and fields (Mich 2:1-5)
Judas’s sin This was the sin of Judas (corrupted for money), the apostle that betrayed our Lord. The sin that corrupted Judas corrupted Zion.
Fat Cattle Amos 4:1-3: Fat cows trample the poor (rich are fat cows)
Take The rich take from the widow, seize flocks (Job 24:2-4)
— Do not defend the fatherless (Jer 5:27-29)
Exploit They exploit widows and orphans and workers (Malachi 3:5)
Church God does not condemn having money
— But many even in the church hold on to it so tightly
— They place their security in money
— Their lifestyle shows that they are disobedient; lusts show their true alliance — love for the world (4:4, Matt 6:24)
24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
(5:1) Come now
— Listen! Pay Attention
(5:1) weep and howl
κλαίω (klaiō) weep, sob out-loud, lament
ὀλολύζω (ololyzō) (onomatopoeic), I howl, screaming, uncontrolled grief
ταλαιπωρία (talaipōria), distress; trouble; misery. Overwhelming miseries to come upon the wicked, rich, trouble, suffering, distress
They hoarded their wealth
2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten.
(5:2) Your riches are corrupted
Hoard They hoarded their wealth and now it is corrupted
— Wide spread sin
(5:2) your garments are moth-eaten
— Wealth was measured in garments; now useless, moth-eaten
— God gives us money to use for His glory; A lot of people don’t want to give to the church
— We don’t give to the church, but through the church
— We give to advance God’s kingdom (Mark 12:42-44); to help the poor saints (1 Cor 16:2-3)
42 The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here. 43 “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. 44 Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order.
2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. 3 And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem.
3 Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days.
(5:3) corroded
— Probably not literally
— But in the day of judgment gold and silver will be useless (Prov 11:4; Isa 2:20-21; Matt 16:26)
— The rust will be their witness that they hoarded their treasure
4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death.
20 In that day a man will cast away his idols of silver And his idols of gold, Which they made, each for himself to worship, To the moles and bats, 21 To go into the clefts of the rocks, And into the crags of the rugged rocks, From the terror of the Lord And the glory of His majesty, When He arises to shake the earth mightily.
26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
Wealth - Unjustly gained
4 Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.
Q: Why do many people despise wealthy people?
Unjust Gain These people feel like the wealthy cheated, broke the law, didn’t play by the rules
(5:4) which you kept back by fraud
— This describes rich people exploiting workers, holding back pay
— This still happens today in many countries (see Top Glove, additional resources)
— Exploitation is prohibited by OT (Deut 24:14-15)
(5:4) Wages… Cry out
(5:3) will be a witness against you
— The wages like rust will be a witness against you
5 You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter.
Increased The rich have increased themselves by
— Robbery
— Hoarding
— Now, they have used their money for self-indulgence
(5:5) pleasure and luxury
Q: But what is awaits the rich?
Judgment (5:5) you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter
— A picture of judgment
— They got “fat” and now are ready for slaughter
Ruthless The final progression of what the rich are willing to do
6 You have condemned, you have murdered the just; he does not resist you.
(5:6) Willing to kill
— They have
— Robbed
— Hoarded
— Been self-indulgent and lived a luxurious life-style
— Now willing to kill to maintain their lifestyle
Q: Does this sound far-fetched?
Drug dealers El Chapo, Pablo Escobar
— New York man kills his wealthy hedge fund father who lowered his 1,000 weekly allowance
— CNBC has a TV show called “Deadly Rich” about people who kill for money
φονεύω (phoneuō) Murder, translated “put to death” in the NASB, Douay-Rheims (RCC Bible)
— Rich used the courts to judicially murder some of the poor
— NT courts were perverted by rich people
— (2:6) Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into courts?
— Today, a rich person can oppress you in the court; bankrupt you with legal fees
Courts designed by God
Established God established courts to
— Dispense justice fairly (Deut 17:8-13)
— Judges were not to be greedy (Ex 18:21-22)
— Justices were to show impartiality (Lev 19:15)
— Were not to tolerate perjury (Deut 19:16-20)
— Were forbidden to take bribes (Mic 3:11; 7:3)
Amos Amos denounced corruption in the courts of Israel (Amos 5:12, 15)
— Wrote at the same time as Micha and Isaiah
12 For I know your manifold transgressions And your mighty sins: Afflicting the just and taking bribes; Diverting the poor from justice at the gate.
15 Hate evil, love good; Establish justice in the gate. It may be that the Lord God of hosts Will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.
How to face trials patiently (5:7-11)
7 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. 8 You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
(5:7) Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord
— Anticipate the Lord’s coming
— Things will not always be as they are (Heb 11:10)
παρουσία (parousia) arrival, presence. Our great hope is the arrival of the Lord; to be in His presence
Jesus Jesus said a lot about his return preceded by signs
— Wars and rumors of wars
— Famines, pestilences (plagues), earthquakes
— Astronomical occurences (Matt 24-25, Mark 13, Luke 21; Matt 24:5-26)
— Dramatic flash of lightening (Matt 24:27-30)
— Angels gather the elect (Matt 24:31)
— Unbelievers gathered and banished (Matt 24:39-41)
Q: Why does James use the illustration of the farmer?
(5:7) See how the farmer waits
— Farmer plants crops and then waits for something outside of his control
— You too be patient
— Wait patiently for the Lord like the farmer
— And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart (Gal 6:9)
(5:8) Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand
— Don’t know when but it will happen soon
Recognize the Lord’s judgment
9 Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!
Flip Side This is the flip-side of hoping for the Lord’s coming
— 2nd coming is judgment for disbelievers
— We have hope in his second coming but it also means judgment (2 Tim 4:1; Acts 10:42)
— Peter preached judgment (1 Peter 4:5)
1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:
5 They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
42 And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead.
Judgment seat All of us will appear before the judgment seat
— The judgment seat of (2 Cor 5:10) is a translation of the greek βῆμα (bēma) seat
— Believers will receive rewards not judgment
— Jesus’s final words in Revelation (22:12) Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me,
to render to every man according to what he has done.
— A crown on judgment day (2 Tim 4:7-8)
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
Follow the Lord’s Servant
10 My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience.
(5:10) an example of suffering and patience
— Not physical suffering (cf. 5:13)
κακοπάθεια (kakopatheia), suffering; perseverance. A compound of κακός (evil) and πάσχω (pathos, to suffer)
μακροθυμία (makrothymia), patience; forbearance; patience with people
— (5:10) the prophets are an example of those who took endured evil treatment from people
Encouragement James offers encouragement; prophets also suffered hardships
— Moses; a stiff necked people (Ex 17:4)
— David hunted by Saul (1 Sam 18:5-26:25)
— Elijah treated with evil by King Ahab and his wicked wife Jezebel (1 Kin 18:17, 21:20)
— Daniel thrown into the lion’s den ( Dan 6:1)
— John the Baptist was beheaded (Matt 14:10)
— Jesus called the Pharisees “sons of those who murdered the prophets” (Matt 23:31)
Understand the Lord’s blessing
11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.
(5:11) we count them blessed who endure
ὑπομένω (hypomenō), endure
— People who endure are objects of divine blessing
(5:11) the Lord is very compassionate
— The Lord was compassionate
— When He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion (Matt 9:36)
οἰκτίρμων (oiktirmōn) compassion. Pity, mercy, sympathy
— Used three times in the NT. Once in James and twice in Luke 6:36
— We must not be indifferent to suffering
36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
(5:11) the end intended by the Lord
— Realize the Lord’s purpose
— The Lord tested Job’s faith; strengthened his faith
— Job saw God more clearly
— The Lord increased his blessings (Job 42:20-17)
— 7 Sons, 3 Daughters
— Lived another 140 years
— Saw his sons and granddaughters, 4 generations
— And Job died an old man and full of days
We can We can endure any trial, suffering
— Anticipate the Lords coming
— Recognize his judgment
— Understand his blessings
— Realize his purpose
— Consider his compassion and mercy
Personal I read this verse when I was in a dark trial and found comfort (Ps 30:5)
5 For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.
How we speak is a test of our faith
12 But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment.
(5:12) do not swear
— How we speak reveals a lot about about person’s heart
Q: What would we learn about your heart if we were a fly on the wall when no one is around?
(5:12) swear
— Taking of oaths
— Not vulgarity
— Oaths are a verbal contract
Oaths Oaths are not forbidden
— Abraham made his servant place his hand under his thigh and swear that he would not go to the Canaanites to find a
wife for his son Isaac (Gen 24:2-4)
— Joshua gave an oath to Rahab that they would not kill her and her family if she hung a scarlet rope outside her window (Josh 2:12-20)
Rabbinic The rabbinic teaching was that an oath was only binding if the Lord was included in the oath
— Jews could swear by the temple, the veil in the temple, etc. (“fingers crossed”)
— But James forbids swearing by heaven or earth; Jesus taught this (Matt 5:33-37)
— So, don’t swear just let your yes be yes and your no mean no
33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.
The power of righteous prayer
13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.
(5:13) suffering
κακοπάθεια (kakopatheia), suffering; perseverance. Same word as used earlier (5:10)
— Evil treatment, not physical suffering
Q: What antidote does James suggest for evil treatment?
Prayer The antidote is prayer
— He should pray (NIV)
— He must pray (NASB)
— Let him pray (NKJV)
Essential Prayer is essential to enduring affliction / suffering
“let him keep praying” - continual action
Praise & Prayer Prayer & Praise are closely related (Phil 4:6 , Col 4:2)
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;
Prayer & Restoration (5:14-15)
14 Is anyone among you sick? 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 will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
Q: Is this saying that sick believers can be healed through prayer?
The faith movement would say “yes”
— Charismatic Christians would say that prayer can and does heal the sick
— This is a misunderstood passage
— James is talking about evil treatment and not physical suffering (see 5:10, 5:13)
ἀσθενέω (astheneō) 18 times translated “sick” in the NT (Matt 10:8, 25:36, 39; Mark 6:56; Luke 4:40; John 4:46; Acts 9:37)
— 14 times it is emotional weakness (Acts 20:35; Ro 4:19, 8:3, 14:1-2; 1 Cor 8:11-12; 2 Cor 11:21, 29, 12:10,13:3-4, 9)
Weak Defeated in spiritual battle
— Lost the ability to endure
— Depressed, defeated believers
(5:14) Let him call for the elders of the church
— Those who are spiritually strong
— Not necessarily “elders” but could be others in the church / small group
(5:14) anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord
— Not ceremonial
— Liberal rubbing with oil in the name of the Lord
(5:15) And the prayer of faith will save the sick
Sickness The bible does not teach that all sickness is the result of sin
— Further evidence that this verse is not speaking of physical sickness
— Often sin follows spiritual defeat or weakness
Confess to one another
16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
(5:16) Confess your trespasses to one another
— Not gossip
— Sin likes to remain private, hidden
— Relationships with others prevents us from bottoming out
— Accountability prayer partners
(5:16) that you may be healed
— Healing
— Being made spiritually whole again
16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails 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 land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.
(5:17) a man with a nature like ours
Like us Elijah was a man just like us
— Any believer whose sins are forgiven and prays is righteous
— Prayers are powerful and effective
Weak Weak prayers come from weak people
Strong Strong prayers can accomplish amazing things
Hungry Elijah was like us in that he was hungry and thirsty (1 Kin 17:11)
Afraid He ran 100 miles after Jezebel threatened him (1 Kin 19:3)
— After standing up to 450 prophets of Baal and 400 hundred prophets of Asherah (1 Kin 18:19)
— One women makes him run for his life!
11 And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.”
3 And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.
Amazing Results When he prayed amazing things happened
— It did not rain for 3 1/2 years
Physical Is James talking about a physical illness?
— His Elijah example fits better with a spiritual drought
— Spiritual blessings (rain) on struggling believers
Saving a soul from death (5:19-20)
19 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.
(5:19) if anyone among you wanders from the truth
Sinners The unrepentant sinner faces eternal death
— weighted down with a multitude of sins
(5:19) someone turns him back
Instruments We are the instruments to recovery, straying sinners
Multitude Ps 32:1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered.
Additional Resources
Malaysian Glove maker Top Glove exploits workers during COVID19: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-malaysia-top-glove/worlds-largest-glove-maker-sees-shortage-as-coronavirus-fight-spikes-idUSKBN21G04Z
Son kills wealthily father who lowers allowance : https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2019/06/28/son-killed-wealthy-father-guilty/
Deadly Rich: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/07/06/murdered-for-money-five-cases-that-show-how-far-people-will-go-to-cas.html
The Bema Seat: https://bible.org/article/doctrine-rewards-judgment-seat-bema-christ