7 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. 8 You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! 10 My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. 11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. 12 But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment.
Commentary
Vs. 7-8 In light of the many injustices and wrongs being done in this world, and at times in our own lives. It's easy to lose sight of the greater picture, a picture which includes us who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the redeemed and ransomed of the Lord. And so we all must be patient, waiting on the coming of the Lord. Because God has not forgotten us (consider Psalm 10; 43:1-5; 44:20-26; 49:5-15; Isaiah 49:14-26; 54:17), nor the wrongs done to us. Instead when the Lord Jesus Christ returns, God will not only make all things new, but also perfect, just, and sound (Isaiah 32:16-18). Therefore just as the Farmer must also wait patiently on the early and latter rains which cause his crops to grow, before they ripen for the harvest. So must we be patient as we wait on the Lord. For there is both the "here and now" which is our lives in this fallen world and the glorious future that will be. And so as we journey homeward we must as the Apostle James says here, "establish our hearts", for the coming of the Lord is at hand (vs. 8). Therefore let neither trial, nor tribulation to yourself or others shake you. Instead establish YOUR HEART IN THE LORD, so that He might establish the work of your hands (Psalm 90:17), for a sure reward awaits us as we do (Luke 6:22-26).
Vs. 9 "Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!"
Therefore we must let the trials and tribulations that we will all face in this life become a cause for our turning against each other! For truly that is one of Satan's ploys to take the hurts and wrongs often unwittingly done to each other, and turn believers against each other, rather than towards each other in a spirit of reconciliation, love and peace (consider 2 Cor 2:5-11). For too grumble against (i.e. strongly complain or "moan" about) one another is utterly discordant with following the Lord Jesus Christ. Since it not only denies His sufferings for us all, to redeem us all, from our own sins and transgressions. But it inevitably sows discord amongst brethren, something that is abhorrent to our Lord and Savior (consider Prov. 6:16-19; 1 Cor 10:1-11, vs. 10). Therefore if you have issues or concerns with one another address these directly in a spirit of Christian love, peace and unity. Or if you have concerns regarding your church's leadership, address the church's leadership in the same Spirit of love, peace and unity, but not confrontationally. Instead clearly express your concerns to them, as well be willing to listen and dialogue with them, and thus be enlightened if need be as too what they are trying to do. Since oftentimes what one thinks is happening, and what is actually taking place, can be easily misconstrued through a lack of communication and misunderstanding. For any healthy leadership group will always welcome accountability, as well as input from those they seek too lead as Shepherds of the Lord Therefore instead of grumbling about each other, work together for the greater good of your church community and each other, as the Apostle Paul commands of us all, "Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." Phil 2:4 For in working out your differences in a Spirit of Christian love, unity, and peace, you'll not only grow in Christ-likeness, you will also be a blessing to God, and each other as well.
And so the Apostle James makes it clear that grumbling about each other is not fitting for any brethren who professes faith in Jesus and love for each other. Indeed the Apostle James here warns that such risk being condemned. For it's the Lord Jesus Christ alone who is the Judge of us all, who will give to each one of us, according to our own works and ways.
Vs. 10-12 10 My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. 11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. 12 But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment.
And so in light of the many trials and troubles that will come to us all who desire to live Godly lives (2 Tim 3:12). We need to remember the prophets of old, who spoke in the name of the Lord, who also suffered for their faith in God and obedience towards Him. For they exemplified (and maybe even learned) patience while suffering. For truly only those who endure are blessed. And so just as the just and blameless man Job was put under a severe and lasting trial of fire to purify his person and faith, so we should not think it strange when we have too undergo our own (1 Peter 4:12-19). For truly as the Apostle James notes the Lord is very compassionate and merciful; blessing both Job's latter end with twice as much as he ever had before (Job 42:12-17). Therefore always have strong confidence in whatever the Lord permits in our lives, He does so with the goal of working out for us, and in us, a far greater and more glorious future with Himself.
Finally the Apostle James warns about the swearing by either heaven or earth or any such oath (vs. 12). For if a man cannot be taken at his word, then he should not be believed regarding anything. For swearing of oaths, or swearing on the Bible gives validity to nothing. Therefore as Jesus commands, and the Apostle James reiterates here let your "Yes," be "Yes" and your "No", "No", unless you fall into judgment. For truly anything more than these is from the evil one (Matt 5:37).
Scripture Citations
Additional Resources Consulted
Believers Bible Commentary
Commentary
Vs. 7-8 In light of the many injustices and wrongs being done in this world, and at times in our own lives. It's easy to lose sight of the greater picture, a picture which includes us who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the redeemed and ransomed of the Lord. And so we all must be patient, waiting on the coming of the Lord. Because God has not forgotten us (consider Psalm 10; 43:1-5; 44:20-26; 49:5-15; Isaiah 49:14-26; 54:17), nor the wrongs done to us. Instead when the Lord Jesus Christ returns, God will not only make all things new, but also perfect, just, and sound (Isaiah 32:16-18). Therefore just as the Farmer must also wait patiently on the early and latter rains which cause his crops to grow, before they ripen for the harvest. So must we be patient as we wait on the Lord. For there is both the "here and now" which is our lives in this fallen world and the glorious future that will be. And so as we journey homeward we must as the Apostle James says here, "establish our hearts", for the coming of the Lord is at hand (vs. 8). Therefore let neither trial, nor tribulation to yourself or others shake you. Instead establish YOUR HEART IN THE LORD, so that He might establish the work of your hands (Psalm 90:17), for a sure reward awaits us as we do (Luke 6:22-26).
Vs. 9 "Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!"
Therefore we must let the trials and tribulations that we will all face in this life become a cause for our turning against each other! For truly that is one of Satan's ploys to take the hurts and wrongs often unwittingly done to each other, and turn believers against each other, rather than towards each other in a spirit of reconciliation, love and peace (consider 2 Cor 2:5-11). For too grumble against (i.e. strongly complain or "moan" about) one another is utterly discordant with following the Lord Jesus Christ. Since it not only denies His sufferings for us all, to redeem us all, from our own sins and transgressions. But it inevitably sows discord amongst brethren, something that is abhorrent to our Lord and Savior (consider Prov. 6:16-19; 1 Cor 10:1-11, vs. 10). Therefore if you have issues or concerns with one another address these directly in a spirit of Christian love, peace and unity. Or if you have concerns regarding your church's leadership, address the church's leadership in the same Spirit of love, peace and unity, but not confrontationally. Instead clearly express your concerns to them, as well be willing to listen and dialogue with them, and thus be enlightened if need be as too what they are trying to do. Since oftentimes what one thinks is happening, and what is actually taking place, can be easily misconstrued through a lack of communication and misunderstanding. For any healthy leadership group will always welcome accountability, as well as input from those they seek too lead as Shepherds of the Lord Therefore instead of grumbling about each other, work together for the greater good of your church community and each other, as the Apostle Paul commands of us all, "Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." Phil 2:4 For in working out your differences in a Spirit of Christian love, unity, and peace, you'll not only grow in Christ-likeness, you will also be a blessing to God, and each other as well.
And so the Apostle James makes it clear that grumbling about each other is not fitting for any brethren who professes faith in Jesus and love for each other. Indeed the Apostle James here warns that such risk being condemned. For it's the Lord Jesus Christ alone who is the Judge of us all, who will give to each one of us, according to our own works and ways.
Vs. 10-12 10 My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. 11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. 12 But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment.
And so in light of the many trials and troubles that will come to us all who desire to live Godly lives (2 Tim 3:12). We need to remember the prophets of old, who spoke in the name of the Lord, who also suffered for their faith in God and obedience towards Him. For they exemplified (and maybe even learned) patience while suffering. For truly only those who endure are blessed. And so just as the just and blameless man Job was put under a severe and lasting trial of fire to purify his person and faith, so we should not think it strange when we have too undergo our own (1 Peter 4:12-19). For truly as the Apostle James notes the Lord is very compassionate and merciful; blessing both Job's latter end with twice as much as he ever had before (Job 42:12-17). Therefore always have strong confidence in whatever the Lord permits in our lives, He does so with the goal of working out for us, and in us, a far greater and more glorious future with Himself.
Finally the Apostle James warns about the swearing by either heaven or earth or any such oath (vs. 12). For if a man cannot be taken at his word, then he should not be believed regarding anything. For swearing of oaths, or swearing on the Bible gives validity to nothing. Therefore as Jesus commands, and the Apostle James reiterates here let your "Yes," be "Yes" and your "No", "No", unless you fall into judgment. For truly anything more than these is from the evil one (Matt 5:37).
Additional Resources Consulted
Believers Bible Commentary
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