Frameworks:
James 5
[Chapter
5 Synopsis: A challenge to the affluent who may be uncaring
of their needier brothers and sisters [this is addressed to the
scattered church] and for those who are suffering a call to patience
and prayer]
v.1-6
Warnings to Rich Oppressors
v.7-12
Having Patience in Suffering
v.13-20
Praying in Faith
v.1-6
Warnings to Rich Oppressors
[Passage
Synopsis: A challenge to the rich and uncaring of society)
v.1
(addressed to
the uncaring rich) Now
listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that
is coming on you.
v.2
(what you isn't
lasting) Your
wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes.
v.3
(this will testify
against your lack of caring) Your
gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against
you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the
last days.
v.4
(your failure
to properly pay your labourers will stand against you) Look!
The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields
are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached
the ears of the Lord Almighty.
v.5
(you have become
affluent) You
have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened
yourselves in the day of slaughter.
v.6
(you have trodden
down the needy) You
have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing
you.
v.7-12
Having Patience in Suffering
[Passage
Synopsis: In the face of such oppression patiently wait
for the Lord, maintaining good attitudes towards one another,
being honest and straight forward at all times]
v.7,8
(oppressed believers,
be patient and wait for the Lord to act on your behalf) Be
patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord's coming.
See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop,
patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be
patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.
v.9
(don't turn
on one another, let God be judge) Don't
grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will
be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
v.10
(remember how
the prophets coped in similar circumstances) Brothers
and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering,
take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
v.11
(remember those
who were praised for their perseverance) As
you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have
heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally
brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
v.12
(don't make
oaths, trust God with a simple yes or no) Above
all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by
earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes”
or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.
v.13-20
Praying in Faith
[Passage
Synopsis: In the face of your struggles, be prayerful,
calling on the elders to pray against illness, being open, honest
and repenting in your prayers to open the way for God to move]
v.13
(in trouble,
pray) Is
anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let
them sing songs of praise.
v.14,15
(if sick send
for the elders to pray) Is
anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church
to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the
Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person
well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will
be forgiven.
v.16
(as you need
to confess your sins to one another in prayer) Therefore
confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that
you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful
and effective.
v.17,18
(remember Elijah
as an example) Elijah
was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it
would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and
a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and
the earth produced its crops.
v.19,20
(if one drifts
away bring them back through repentance that brings forgiveness
and cleansing) My
brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth
and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever
turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from
death and cover over a multitude of sins.