James 5:7-12

Patience in Suffering

5:7 So be patient, brothers and sisters, ¹  until the Lord’s return. ²  Think of how the farmer waits ³  for the precious fruit of the ground and is patient ⁴  for it until it receives the early and late rains. 5:8 You also be patient and strengthen your hearts, for the Lord’s return is near. 5:9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, ⁵  so that you may not be judged. See, the judge stands before the gates! ⁶  5:10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers and sisters, ⁷  take the prophets who spoke in the Lord’s name. 5:11 Think of how we regard ⁸  as blessed those who have endured. You have heard of Job’s endurance and you have seen the Lord’s purpose, that the Lord is full of compassion and mercy. ⁹  5:12 And above all, my brothers and sisters, ¹⁰  do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath. But let your “Yes” be yes and your “No” be no, so that you may not fall into judgment.

[5:7]  ¹ tn Grk “brothers”; this phrase occurs again three times in the paragraph. See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:2.

[5:7]  ² tn Or “advent”; or “coming” (also in v. 8).

[5:7]  ³ tn Grk “Behold! The farmer waits.”

[5:7]  ⁴ tn Grk “being patient.”

[5:9]  ⁵ tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:2.

[5:9]  ⁶ sn The term gates is used metaphorically here. The physical referent would be the entrances to the city, but the author uses the term to emphasize the imminence of the judge’s approach.

[5:10]  ⁷ tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:2.

[5:11]  ⁸ tn Grk “Behold! We regard…”

[5:11]  ⁹ sn An allusion to Exod 34:6; Neh 9:17; Ps 86:15; 102:13; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2.

[5:12]  ¹⁰ tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:2.