James 5 - Lessons for Rich Oppressors, Patience in Suffering, and Keeping the Letter of James AliveSýnishorn

Comfort in the End

Believers are to wait for the Lord’s ‘coming’. The word used here is parousia which in James’ day often referred to a ‘grand appearance’ of an emperor in one of his conquered cities. When Jesus appears, all will know He is the true emperor and Judge (verse 9) of the world.

Knowing this, believers are to ‘stand firm’ in the ways of Christ. Part of this will involve refusing to grumble (groan) against each other. This is probably a reference back to the serious quarrels (over money) discussed earlier in the letter (James 4:1-3). 

James’ main point is not to admonish us with threat of judgement, but to encourage us with the promise of deliverance. The Old Testament prophets are held up as examples of faithful endurance in the face of mistreatment by the powerful. Job gets special mention. His story of endurance and vindication provides the model of what it means to look forward to what the Lord will finally bring about. In Job’s case, God restored his health and wealth (Job 42:12-17). For believers, the Lord will do much, much more. 

The basis of our hope is God’s own character. Which is why James concludes with, “The Lord is full of compassion and mercy” (verse 11). This is not a reference to God saving sinners, but a reminder of His promise to overthrow oppressors and rescue the oppressed; revealing his deep compassion. 

Marana Tha

James previously urged his readers to work to alleviate the suffering of the poor - to assist the downtrodden (James 1:27, 2:13, 2:14-17). But here he reminds us that we cannot expect to see justice fully realized, until Jesus returns and the Bible’s grand vision of renewal is brought to fulfillment. Christian living involves not only activism but patience and hope.

It is because of this that we are to look forward to Jesus’ return. The Judge is ‘at the door,’ so we call out to him to come through that door and into this world of injustice. With the early Christians we cry Marana tha, which is Aramaic for ‘Come, O Lord’ (1 Corinthians 16:22). It is worth asking at this point how seriously we take the return of Jesus? How differently do we live in light of the thought that Jesus might come back this year or this week? With the promise of his return in our ears we can tread a little more lightly in this world, and a little more lovingly. Faced with injustice we can be patient. Faced with the reality of an immanent judge, we should be vigilant in living faithfully.