James 5:17

The Pulpit Commentary - James 5:17-18

Illustration of the last statement of James 5:16 , from the case of Elijah, "a righteous man" under the old covenant, but one "of like passions with us," and therefore one from whose case it is lawful to argue to our own. Subject to like passions as we are . ὁμοιοπαθὴς ἡμῖν : simply "of like passions with us;" cf. Acts 14:15 , where it is used in just the same way. In the LXX . only in Wis. 7:3. He prayed earnestly. προσευχῇ προσηύξατο : a Hebraism , not infrequent in... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - James 5:17

Elias - The common way of writing the word “Elijah” in the New Testament, Matthew 11:14; Matthew 16:14; Matthew 17:3, etc.Was a man subject to like passions as we are - This does not mean that Elijah was passionate in the sense in which that word is now commonly used; that is, that he was excitable or irritable, or that he was the victim of the same corrupt passions and propensities to which other men are subject; but that he was like affected; that he was capable of suffering the same things,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - James 5:17-18

James 5:17-18. Elias was a man subject to like passions To the like infirmities; as we are In which sense the same word, ομοιοπαθης , is used, Acts 14:15. It literally signifies, suffering like things with another. Elijah, through natural infirmity, suffered as we do from diseases, from temptation, from persecution, &c. And he prayed earnestly Greek, προσευχη προσηυξατο , in praying he prayed, that it might not rain That, by being punished for their idolatry and murder of the... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - James 5:7-20

5:7-20 THE NEED FOR PATIENCE AND PRAYERMany Christians were poor and oppressed, some of them no doubt farmers who suffered because of the rich landowners. James encourages them to wait patiently for the Lord’s return (which will bring them victory in the end), just as the farmer waits patiently for the rain that will bring his crops to final harvest (7-8). God is using these trials to teach them patience, so they must not fight against his purposes by grumbling. Some Old Testament examples show... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - James 5:17

man . App-123 . subject, &c . = of like feelings. Greek. homoiopathes. Only here and Acts 14:15 . earnestly = with prayer. App-134 . This is a Hebraism. Figure of speech Polyptoton. App-6 . rain . App-136 . by the space of. Omit. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - James 5:17

Elijah was a man of like passions with us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain; and it rained not on the earth for three years and six months.Elijah ... a man of like passions ... The argument is that Elijah, despite the fact of his being a noted prophet, was nevertheless a fallible and sinful man like the Christians of all generations; but that, in spite of his mortality, sin and imperfections, God mightily answers his prayers, and he will do the same for us.Three years and six... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - James 5:17

James 5:17. Elias was a man subject to like passions, &c.— 'Ομοιοπαθης, A man of a like frail and mortal composition; liable to the evils and afflictions of life, and subject to death, as well as other men: and his saying in this place, that Elijah wasfrail and mortal like other men, seems to have been in order to anticipate an inquiry like that recorded, Sir 48:3-4. "Elijah (they might have said) was an extraordinary prophet; and at last translated without dying; whereas we are only frail... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - James 5:17

17. Elias . . . like passions as we—therefore it cannot be said that he was so raised above us as to afford no example applicable to common mortals like ourselves. prayed earnestly—literally, "prayed with prayer": Hebraism for prayed intensely. Compare Luke 22:15, "With desire I have desired," that is, earnestly desired. ALFORD is wrong in saying, Elias' prayer that it might not rain "is not even hinted at in the Old Testament history." In Luke 22:15- : it is plainly implied, "As the Lord God... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 5:1-18

VI. MONEY AND PATIENT ENDURANCE 5:1-18The final practical problem James addressed involves money. He wrote these instructions to warn his readers of a danger, to inform them of the ramifications of the problem, and to exhort them to deal with the situation appropriately. This is his third reference to the rich and the poor (cf. James 1:9-11; James 2:1-12). We might also consider James 4:13-17, as well as James 5:1-6, as dealing with the rich. [Note: For some helpful insights on the way... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 5:13-18

C. The Proper Action 5:13-18James encouraged his readers to pray, as well as to be patient, to enable them to overcome the temptation to live only for the present and to stop living by faith. James not only begins and ends his epistle with references to trials, but he "also begins (James 1:5-8) and ends (James 5:13-18) with prayer as the instrumental means for managing trials." [Note: C. Richard Wells, "The Theology of Prayer in James," Criswell Theological Review 1:1 (Fall 1986):86.] read more

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