THE BOOK OF JAMES
(“Patient Endurance In Light Of Christ’s Return”)
James 5:7-11 (NASU)
7“Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. 8You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.” (James 5:7-8)
WHAT’S THE “THEREFORE” THERE FOR?
(1) As you read the Scriptures for yourselves, are there any words that stand out as being especially important? For example, do you highlight words like “love” or “grace” every time you run across them (c.f. Matthew 22:37-39; I Corinthians 15:10)? Do you look for words that emphasize God’s sovereignty – like all the times the Lord says, “I will (do)” this or that (c.f. Isaiah 46:10-13)? Perhaps you take special note of words that speak about God’s great capacity to forgive our sins (c.f. Psalm 32:5) – or that convey one of the precious promises He’s made to His covenant people (c.f. I Corinthians 10:13).
(2) Whenever you’re studying a particular passage of Scripture, do you ever look for key words – like (for example) words that are repeated several times within a few verses? The repetition of certain words often indicates what a passage is about. In this morning’s Scripture lesson, for example, some form of the word “patience” occurs at least four times (c.f. James 5:7-8. 10) – some form of the word “endure” occurs twice (c.f. James 5:11) – and there are at least three references to “the coming of the Lord” (c.f. James 5:7-9). Based on that information, we would not be far off base if we said this morning’s Scripture lesson is generally about the importance of Christians patiently enduring whatever unpleasant circumstances they find themselves in, until Christ returns. There are some other things said here, of course – but that would still be a good basic summary of what this passage is about.
(3) Now, if I were to ask you to identify the FIRST important word in this morning’s Scripture lesson (c.f. James 5:7-11) – what word would you choose? I think the FIRST key word we have to take into account, in order to properly understand or interpret the passage before us, is the word “therefore” – as in (verse seven), “THEREFORE be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord …” (c.f. James 5:7) (The NIV uses the word “then” – nor is it the first word in the sentence). There’s a catchy little phrase having to do with basic bible interpretation that goes something like this – “Whenever you encounter the word ‘therefore’ in a passage of Scripture, you need to make sure you know what its there for.” More often than not, the word “therefore” (c.f. James 5:7) connects what’s about to BE said with what was JUST said. We already have a general idea of what’s about to BE said – namely, that Christians need to patiently endure their present circumstances, regardless of how unpleasant they may be, until the Lord returns. The question is, how does that relate to what was JUST said?
(4) One of the things that was JUST said in verses one through six (c.f. James 5:1-6) is that some of the rich people within Christ’s church (who may have been pseudo-Christians) were using their wealth to take advantage of the poorer members of the congregation. (An alternate interpretation is that its wealthy non-believers outside the church – who make no pretense about being Christians – who are taking advantage of poor believers inside the church.) Either way, the problem is pretty much the same for those who are being taken advantage of – namely (verse four) that they aren’t being paid for their labor, and (verse six) that they are being “condemned and put to death” (presumably through the court system, because the wealthy are often able to bribe officials and influence judicial decisions).
(5) Another thing that’s JUST been said in verses one through six (c.f. James 5:1-6), is that God is going to judge the rich for their sinful behavior – i.e. for hoarding their wealth (verses two and three) – for withholding their employees’ wages (verse four) – for wasting their wealth on luxurious living and wanton pleasures (verse five) – and for using their wealth and influence to take advantage of the righteous poor, who have no means of resisting or fighting back (verse six). Hence, James said (in verse one): “Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you” – and again (in verse three): “It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasures” (the phrase “last days” being a reference to Christ’s imminent return) – and also (in verse four) that their mistreatment of the poor “has reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth” whose angelic armies are poised and waiting for His command to execute judgment.
(6) While it’s certainly comforting for Christians to know God’s justice is eventually going to prevail – if not in this life, certainly in the next – it’s also true that in a fallen world, sustained mistreatment and unfair circumstances can weigh heavily upon Christ’s redeemed people, to the point that we become discouraged and lose patience while waiting for our God and Savior to set these injustices right. It’s easy for us to start complaining (c.f. James 5:9) – or try and take matters into our own hands in some of vengeful way (c.f. Romans 12:19). During prolonged periods of injustice it’s easy to start thinking that the Lord doesn’t really care about what’s happening to us – or that He’s too weak to do anything about it – or that He isn’t really as full of mercy and compassion as the Scriptures repeatedly say (c.f. James 5:11). “THEREFORE” (c.f. James 5:7), James attempts to head off this kind of thinking (and subsequent behavior) among believers by exhorting us in this morning’s Scripture lesson to patiently endure our circumstances, in part by strengthening our hearts with the knowledge that Christ is coming again – and when He does, He will use His position as “Judge” (c.f. James 5:9; see also John 5:22) to correct every vestige of injustice and set everything right.
(B) BE PATIENT UNTIL THE LORD RETURNS
(1) Turning to our Scripture lesson, James says (in verses seven and eight): 7“Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. 8You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.” (c.f. James 5:7-8).
(2) Despite the various adversities and injustices being suffered at the hands of the rich, James exhorts his readers (whom he calls “brethren”, thereby identifying them as Christians) (he exhorts his readers) to “exercise patience”1 (c.f. James 5:7).
The Greek word for “patience” (“makrothemeo”) used here is a compound word – i.e. it’s a combination of two words – the first literally meaning “long”, and the second literally meaning “anger”.2 The idea, however, is NOT that’s it’s okay for Christians to be angry for long periods of time – on the contrary, we are to be slow about becoming angry (c.f. James 1:19) – we are to take a long time to become angry – we are to put as much distance3 as possible between ourselves and our anger (whether it’s directed toward men, or toward God).
(3) The ability to be patient in the midst of difficult circumstances or with difficult people, FOR CHRIST’S SAKE, is a Christian virtue – it’s a work of God’s grace – even one of the ways we reflect the image and likeness of our Creator and Savior (c.f. Genesis 1:26-27).
“Patience” is the first word used in First Corinthians chapter thirteen to describe what agape-love looks like (c.f. I Corinthians 13:4) – “patience” is also one of the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians chapter five (c.f. Galatians 5:22-23). When Paul implored Christians (in Ephesians chapter four) to walk in a manner worthy of their calling in Christ, he described that walk as one marked by such qualities as “humility …gentleness, (and) patience” (c.f. Ephesians 4:1-2). Elsewhere, he said that “those who have been chosen of God (i.e. the elect) … (are to) put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (c.f. Colossians 3:12).
Pastors are to preach the word of God “with great patience” (c.f. II Timothy 4:2) – all Christians are exhorted to “be patient with everyone” (c.f. I Thessalonians 5:14) – and here in this morning’s text, everyone who names the name of Christ is exhorted to “be patient … until the coming of the Lord” (c.f. James 5:7) – to “be patient”, even in the face of the kinds of adversity and injustice that come upon us on account of the unscrupulous rich.
That’s not something we’re going to be able to do naturally – that’s not something we’re going to be able to do in our own strength – rather, it will have to be a work of God’s grace in our hearts (c.f. I Corinthians 15:10).
(4) Note how long James says we are to exercise this Christ-like patience. Are we to “be patient” (c.f. James 5:7) for a month, or a year? Are we to exercise patience until the rich finally go one step too far? – or until we just can’t take it anymore? Are we to be patient as long as it looks like our circumstances might change, or our oppressors may start treating us with equity and respect? That would be nice – but that’s not what James says is it? What he says is this (verse seven): “be patient, brethren, UNTIL THE COMING OF THE LORD” (c.f. James 5:7). In other words, endure injustice without becoming angry or embittered, until Jesus comes again. Patiently endure life’s inequities until your Savior returns – endure these things patiently until Christ’s Second Coming.
The Apostle Peter helps sheds some light on the kind of patience James is talking about, saying: 21“For you (Christians) have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, (and what did that example look like?) 22who … 23… while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering … uttered no threats, but KEPT ENTRUSTING HIMSELF TO (THE ONE) WHO JUDGES RIGHTEOUSLY” (c.f. I Peter 2:21-23). In other words, not only are we to patiently endure injustice and inequity until Jesus comes again – we are to also follow His example of patient endurance.
(5) Let’s talk about the Second Coming of Christ for a moment. Pastor Joe mentioned last Sunday night that we Reformed Christians don’t talk about Christ’s return very often – and I think he has a point. So let’s talk about it for a few minutes – especially since James mentions it three times in this morning’s Scripture lesson (c.f. James 5:7-9)
When Jesus ascended into heaven (in Acts chapter one), two angels appeared to His disciples and told them: “… This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, WILL COME in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven” (c.f. Acts 1:11). Since Jesus’ ascension into heaven was literal, physical and visible – we can rightly assume that His return (from heaven) will also be literal, physical and visible.
Our Lord often spoke of His return, using dramatic and spectacular terms4 – saying in one place: “For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be” (c.f. Matthew 24:27) (i.e. it will be unmistakable!) – and again: “… then all the tribes of the earth will … see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory” (c.f. Matthew 24:30).
The New Testament contains many references to Christ’s Second Coming. For example, the Book of Revelation says: “Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him …” (c.f. Revelation 1:7) – the Book of First Thessalonians says: “… the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God …” (c.f. I Thessalonians 4:16) – while the Book of II Timothy says: “in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing” (c.f. II Timothy 4:8).
Elsewhere, Jesus said: “If I go and prepare a place for you, I WILL COME AGAIN and receive you to Myself …” (c.f. John 14:3) – while in the next-to-the-last verse of the bible, He says: “Yes, I am coming quickly” – to which every Christian ought to join the Apostle John in replying: “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus” (c.f. Revelation 22:21).
The sure and certain promise of Christ’s return ought to motivate us Christians to pursue our sanctification (c.f. Hebrews 12:14) – to strive after godly living4 (always remembering that any progress we make is ultimately due to God’s enabling grace, and not our own strength).6 Hence, Scripture says: 2“Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that WHEN HE APPEARS, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. 3And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him PURIFIES himself, just as He (Christ) is pure” (c.f. I John 3:2-3).
Of all the various facets associated with our Lord’s Second Coming, the two James seems to focus in on are the nearness of Christ’s return – and His return in the capacity of Judge.5 Hence, He says in eight: “… the coming of the Lord is near” – while in verse nine he says: “… behold, the Judge is standing right at the door” (c.f. James 5:8-9).
Scripture often presents Christ’s return as something no one knows the precise date of (c.f. Matthew 24:36; Acts 1:6-7) – while also being an event that can happen at any moment (c.f. Matthew 24:44; I Thessalonians 5:1-6). Hence, Christians ought to live every day as though this were the day Jesus is going to return – because one day, it IS going to be the day He returns – and when He does, one of the roles He will be fulfilling is that of Judge. Hence, Jesus Himself said that God the Father “… has given all judgment to the Son” (c.f. John 5:22) – while in another place we’re told that God the Father “… has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead” (c.f. Acts 17:31) (which is obviously a reference to Jesus).
We’ll come back to these matters (Lord willing), as we continue working our way through the remainder of this Scripture lesson. But for the moment, I want to return to verse seven, where James says: “Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord” (c.f. James 5:7) – and simply draw your attention to the fact that this exhortation to patiently endure present injustices and inequities is based (at least in part) on the fact that our Savior IS going to return – and when He does, it will be in the capacity of a Judge, who will set all wrongs right.
(6) Still looking at verse seven, then, we see that James gives us an agricultural example of patience, saying: “The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rain” (c.f. James 5:7).
Anyone who is going to be a farmer had better learn to be patient – otherwise, he will either develop ulcers, or give himself a heart-attack, or both. What’s more – if I may paraphrase something Jesus once said – “worrying will not make a farmer’s crops grow any faster, nor will his becoming impatient make the rains come any sooner” (c.f. Matthew 6:27).
A good farmer knows about how long it will take for the seeds he’s planted to germinate and start growing – he also knows that the proper amount of rain at the right time is often the difference between “the precious produce” (c.f. James 5:7) of a bountiful crop, or a meager one. He knows he has no control over the weather – that ordinarily he can expect rain at certain times of the year – but sometimes those rains may come late, or be sparse, or not come at all. Through it all, he must learn to be patient – and wait for the Lord to provide Him with what he needs.
Just as a farmer must learn to wait patiently throughout the ENTIRE growing season for his crops to ripen, so Christians must learn to wait patiently for the Lord6 to come and set things right – to wait patiently throughout the ENTIRE period between His first and second comings – to wait patiently when the rains come on time (so to speak), and when they don’t – to wait patiently when things are going well, AND when we find ourselves suffering injustices and inequities at the hands of others – to wait patiently without losing heart, regardless of the circumstances (c.f. Galatians 6:9).
(7) How can we ever hope to do that? James gives us the answer in verse eight, saying: “You too (just like the farmer) be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near” (c.f. James 5:8) (the NIV says we are to “stand firm”).
The Greek word used here for “strengthen” (“sterizo”) carries the idea of being resolute, or taking a stand.7 John MacArthur says it denotes courage and commitment.6 Nor are we talking about some kind of self-help advice, as though we were being encouraged to draw on some supposed inner strength of our own – rather, we are to “strengthen our hearts” with the knowledge that Jesus IS coming back, and that His coming “is near” (c.f. James 5:8). We are to “stand firm” in the face of injustices and inequities directed against us, by reminding ourselves that our Savior IS coming again, and it won’t be long (even if it doesn’t happen in our lifetime). We are to draw the courage and strength we need to patiently endure our present circumstances from knowing that Christ IS going to return – and when He does, He will judge all our oppressors with justice and equity.
(8) David frequently wrote about his enemies in the Psalms, saying things like – “… deliver me from the hand of my enemies and from those who persecute me” (c.f. Psalm 31:15) – and again: “… my enemies are vigorous and strong, and many are those who hate me wrongfully” (c.f. Psalm 38:19) – and once more: “My enemies have reproached me all day long; those who deride me have used my name as a curse” (c.f. Psalm 102:8).
If we look to see where David turned for help during these times, we find that he didn’t turn to things like drugs or alcohol – that he didn’t turn to some form of immoral behavior – that he didn’t turn eating, or gambling, or watching television, or any of the other activities people often turn to, to try and numb their mind or deaden their fears and anxieties. Rather, he turned to the Lord. Hence, we read passages like these – “I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies” (c.f. Psalm 18:3) – and again: “O my God, in You I trust, do not let me be ashamed; do not let my enemies exult over me” (c.f. Psalm 25:2) – and once more: “Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies; (for) I take refuge in You” (c.f. Psalm 143:9).
(9) Here in this morning’s Scripture lesson, James essentially exhorts believers to do the same thing – with this difference – that he tells us to focus on the fact that Jesus is coming again. When enemies surround us, we are to “strengthen our hearts” with the knowledge that “the coming of the Lord is near” (c.f. James 5:8). When we find ourselves on the receiving end of injustice or inequity, James tells us to “strengthen our hearts” (not with lawsuits, or other acts of revenge – but) with the knowledge that Jesus “the Judge is standing right at the door” (c.f. James 5:9). Hence, he says (in verse seven): “Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord …” (c.f. James 5:7).
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1Kistemaker: New Testament Commentary; James, Epistles
of John, Peter and Jude; p. 163.
2MacArthur: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary;
James; p. 253.
3BCS: Strong’s Concordance; Word #3117.
4MacArthur: Ibid; p. 254.
5Kistemaker: Ibid; p. 164.
6MacArthur: Ibid; p. 255.
7BSC: Ibid; Word #4741 & #2476.