James 5 - Introduction

Wicked rich men are to fear God's vengeance. We ought to be patient in afflictions, after the example of the prophets, and Job: to forbear swearing; to pray in adversity; to sing in prosperity; to acknowledge mutually our several faults; to pray one for another, and to reduce a straying brother to the truth.

Anno Domini 60.

THE first six verses of this chapter have been looked upon as an address to the unbelieving Jews, among whom the Christians lived in their dispersions, and by whom they were persecuted; but they appear to me to have been rather a fine apostrophe. It is evident that this epistle is written in a sublime stile, and abounds with lively images, beautiful similitudes, and other strong figures. Why may not we then look upon these six verses as a remarkable instance of this kind? Indeed there appears to me nothing to hinder us from supposing that they are introduced in a figurative manner; that is, by way of apostrophe. There is a beautiful apostrophe to this purpose, Revelation 18:20 and the speaking by way of apostrophe is not only usual with the sacred writers, (see Deuteronomy 32:1. Jeremiah 22:29. 1 Corinthians 15:55.) but also with the best Greek and Roman writers: and the apostle seems to have introduced it here, that by this image he might give the greater force to those arguments which he was about to offer for the support and encouragement of the Jewish Christians, who were at that time in a state of persecution. For after he had, in this livelymanner, set before them the much heavier calamities which were hanging over the heads of their greatest enemies and most violent persecutors, and just ready to fall upon them, he then finishes the apostrophe; and, addressing himself directly to the Jewish Christians, says with the greatest propriety, Be ye patient therefore, unto the coming of the Lord, &c. That is, in other words, "Be patient, brethren; because the destruction of your enemies, and your deliverance, approach swiftly," James 5:1.

Among other effects of impatience, against which the apostle cautions them, he reckons the irreverent use of the name of God, and profane oaths and execrations, into which, in the transport of their criminal passions, some unhappy wretches are ready to fall: and he cautions them to content themselves with a simple affirmation or negation in all their conversation, and to take care to maintain such constant integrity in all their words, that nothing more may be needful to gain them credit, James 5:12. He then requires them to accustom themselves to the frequent exercises of devotion, as what will have the surest tendency to promote the comfort and happiness of their lives in every circumstance, James 5:13. And he advises them, if they be sick, and feel themselves so instigated by the secret workings of the Spirit of grace upon their minds as may encourage them to hope for an extraordinary cure, to send for the elders of the church to pray over them, and anoint them with oil, James 5:14.

When they were conscious of having been really to blame, he charges them not perversely to vindicate a conduct which their own hearts condemned, but be frank in acknowledging it, James 5:16.—Then he illustrates the efficacy of the prayers of the righteous by the efficacy of Elijah's prayers, James 5:17.—Lastly, that the faithful might be excited to do their utmost, by prayer and other proper means in dependance on Divine grace, to reclaim their brethren who had fallen into sin, he assures them that whosoever turns a sinner from the error of his way, becomes the instrument of obtaining pardon for him through Christ, and may thereby save him from death eternal, James 5:20.