James 5:2,James 5:3

The Pulpit Commentary - James 5:2

Description of the miseries that are coming upon them. The perfects ( σέσηπε … γέγονεν ) are probably to be explained as "prophetic," in accordance with a common Hebrew idiom. For an instance of the prophetic perfect, used as here after ὀλούζείν , see Isaiah 23:1 , Isaiah 23:14 ," Howl … for your stronghold has been wasted. " The miseries coming upon the rich are thus announced to be the destruction of everything in virtue of which they were styled rich. Their costly... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - James 5:2

Your riches are corrupted - The word here rendered “corrupted” (σήπω sēpō) does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament. It means, to cause to rot, to corrupt, to destroy. The reference here is to their hoarded treasures; and the idea is, that they had accumulated more than they needed for their own use; and that, instead of distributing them to do good to others, or employing them in any useful way, they kept them until they rotted or spoiled. It is to be remembered, that a considerable... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - James 5:2-3

James 5:2-3. Your riches are corrupted Greek, σεσηπε , are putrefied, or are as things putrefied by being kept too long. The riches of the ancients consisted much in large stores of corn, wine, oil, and costly apparel. These things the rich men in Judea had amassed, like the foolish rich man mentioned Luke 12:18, little imagining that they would soon be robbed of them by the Roman soldiers, and the destructive events of the war. Your garments In your wardrobes; are moth-eaten The... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - James 5:1-6

Personal advancement without God (4:13-5:6)Another sign of worldliness appears when Christians arrange their lives as if God does not exist, as if they control the future. Christians should view life differently from non-Christians. They should not live as if their lives on earth are going to last for ever, but should consider the eternal purposes of God and arrange their affairs accordingly. Their chief consideration should be to do God’s will, not to look for personal gain and advancement... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - James 5:2

riches = wealth. The Greek word ploutos conveys the idea of abundance. Compare Luke 12:19 . corrupted . Greek. sepo . Only here. are = have become. motheaten . Greek. setobrotos. Only here. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - James 5:2

Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten.All the fabulous wealth of the Jewish hierarchy in Jerusalem would prove utterly worthless to prevent the "miseries" coming upon them. Their great stores of oil and wheat would be turned into famine by the siege against the city. Their fine garments would prove as worthless as a moth-eaten rag. And did such miseries indeed come upon them? Alas, they did. As Gibson observed, "The Jewish historian (Josephus) was the unconscious witness... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - James 5:2

James 5:2. Your riches are corrupted,— By riches here are very probably meant their stores of corn, wine, oil, and other perishing goods, which they used to lay up in great abundance: see Jam 5:4 and Luke 12:16-19. Dr. Heylin reads it, your stores. Another thing which confirms this conjecture is, that the word σεσηπε, which we render corrupted, signifies any thing's being putrified by being kept too long,—like the manna, Exodus 16:20. Such riches as gold, silver, &c. afterwards mentioned,... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - James 5:2

2. corrupted—about to be destroyed through God's curse on your oppression, whereby your riches are accumulated (James 5:4). CALVIN thinks the sense is, Your riches perish without being of any use either to others or even to yourselves, for instance, your garments which are moth-eaten in your chests. garments . . . moth-eaten—referring to Matthew 6:19; Matthew 6:20. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 5:1-6

A. Warnings for the Rich 5:1-6It is characteristic of James’ well-balanced style that he opened and closed his exhortations (in James 2:1 to James 5:6) with references to the rich. There is also a return in this chapter to encouragement to persevere in the will of God when tempted to depart from it (cf. ch. 1). Thus the book demonstrates a somewhat chiastic structure.". . . wealth brings consternation [James 5:1], ends up in corrosion [James 5:2-3], and results in condemnation [James 5:4-6]."... 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

The Pulpit Commentary - James 5:2

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - James 5:2

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - James 5:2-3

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - James 5:1-6

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - James 5:2

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - James 5:2

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - James 5:2

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - James 5:2

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 5:1-6

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

Group of Brands