James 5:7-11

James 5:7-1 Kings : . “ Patience” in James 5:7-Ruth :; James 5:10 is different from “ endurance” in n, Hebrews 12:1 f.; it is the opposite of “ short-temperedness” or “ impatience.” The farmer does his work and then can only wait for a harvest which he can do nothing to hurry. The “ Coming of the Lord” is a phrase appropriating to Yahweh— and in Christian language to Christ— a term almost technical for royal visits. (With our new knowledge of the “ profane” use of the word, mg. becomes misleading.) The “ former rain” follows the sowing, the “ latter” comes just before the corn ripens. This epistle belongs to the period when all Christians still believed in the imminence of the Advent (contrast 2 Peter 3:4, written perhaps two generations later); and even among Jews, as the apocalyptic literature shows, such a belief could readily find acceptance. “ The Lord” is a title which Christian writer and Jewish reader would understand differently. The latter would equally fail to trace the source of James 5:9 ( Matthew 7:1), and the personality of the expected Judge ( Matthew 25:31 ff.) who is “ at the door” ( Mark 13:29). The examples chosen to encourage faithful men are almost enough alone to show that James writes to Jews; the higher example of Hebrews 12:2 f. is in his heart, but must not yet be set down with the pen. When the Sauls to whom he writes have become Pauls, they will understand.

James 5:11 suggests a Beatitude, “ Blessed are they that have endured to the end, for they shall be saved” ( Mark 13:13). Job’ s “ endurance” lies in the persistence of his trust in God ( cf. Job 13:15); for “ the end,” cf. Job 42:12— it proved that “ God worketh all things for good with them that love God” ( Romans 8:28, cf. mg.) .