James 5:7-9

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 

[5:7]  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.