James 5:7

5. The Christian sufferer under these wrongs pointed to the judgment day, James 5:7-11.

7. Brethren Our apostle turns in contrast, from the rich men to the just men; from the persecutors to the persecuted. But what shall we think of commentators who are not quite sure that the rich men and the brethren are not the same!

Be patient To the Church in all ages the judgment seat of Christ, even though long millenniums distant, is, conceptually, near at hand. See supplementary note to Matthew 25:0, and note on 2 Peter 3:8.

Coming The PAROUSIA; the second advent, the day when the human race, in resurrection state, stands in the presence of its final Judge.

Observe, again, that, unlike last days, in James 5:3, and day of slaughter, in James 5:5, this Parousia has the Greek article. This indicates that the two former were indefinite events, and the last a definite. That is, the latter indicates the one well known and universally expected event, while the former are a special era for these rich men and their contemporaries.

Husbandman As the planter fixes his conceptual eye upon the day of harvest, so do ye fix your mind’s eye upon the final reward.

Long patience An intimation of the unknown length of the period intervening before the judgment day.

Early and latter The word rain, though truly implied, is not, perhaps, a genuine reading. The early “rainy season” in Palestine is autumnal, extending from first of October to last of December, and even, with slight snow, into January. February brings an interval of fine weather. The latter rain is in spring, embracing March and April.