Study the Bible with Me | Kim Howard
James’ Fifth Letter to the Church
James in all his letters has focused on Christian maturity -- both in our faithfulness to God and in our conduct towards others. He returns to the topic of money and gives some stern warning to those who abuse others to accumulate riches. He urges those suffering under that oppression to remain patient, strong in their faith, as they wait for the day of the Lord. He encourages all Christians to show their faith in God by praying in response to every circumstance.
Rich Oppressors Rebuked
James 5:1-3, “1Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. 2Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. 3Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.
Personal Translation: Listen, you rich people: weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted, and your fine clothes have been eaten by moths. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will testify against you and consume you like fire. You have stored up treasure for yourselves in the last days.
James now turns his attention to the rich, not condemning wealth itself, but warning those who misuse it and place their trust in it rather than in God.
The Bible does not discourage acquiring wealth. What it does condemn is gaining wealth through dishonest means, exploiting others, or mistreating the poor. James appears to be addressing rich people in general—both believers (James 1:10) and unbelievers (James 2:6). In this passage, there is no call for reform, only a stern prophetic warning.
James declares that hoarded wealth brings no security. Riches rot, garments decay, and gold and silver corrode. What was trusted for comfort and protection will ultimately become evidence against them. Their possessions will testify to their greed, injustice, and lack of mercy.
Jesus taught the same truth when He warned against storing up treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and instead urged people to store up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21). James echoes this warning by reminding the rich that they are living in the last days—a time when hearts should be turned toward God, not consumed by accumulation.
Rather than bringing peace in their final days, or the last days, the wealth they relied upon will result in judgment and ruin (Proverbs 22:16). They are not storing up security, but storing up misery for the day of judgment.
James’s message is clear: misused wealth does not bless—it condemns, and trusting in riches instead of God leads to destruction. He reminds them they are living in the last days, when hearts should be turned toward God—not consumed by accumulation
James 5:4-6, “4Behold, the hire of the laborers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. 5Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. 6Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.”
Personal Translation: Look, the wages you failed to pay the workers who harvested your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth (Host). You have lived in luxury and self-indulgence on the earth. You have fattened your hearts for the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the righteous who did not resist you.”
James continues his strong warning to the wealthy by exposing specific sins connected to the misuse of wealth. He speaks of the rich defrauding their workers, withholding wages that were rightfully earned. These unpaid wages cry out to God, and the cries of the laborers reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts (Job 34:28; Deuteronomy 24:14-15). God takes injustice against the poor seriously and promises judgment against those who exploit them.
James charges the rich with condemning and killing the righteous—not necessarily through direct physical violence, but through legal exploitation, economic oppression, and abuse of power. The righteous person does not resist, either because they are powerless and vulnerable, or because they entrust themselves to God rather than seeking retaliation. This reflects a recurring biblical truth: the powerful often oppress the innocent, but God stands as their ultimate Judge and Defender.
James declares, “You have lived in pleasure on the earth and have been self-indulgent.” Their lives are marked by excess and indulgence, with no concern for God or for those they have harmed. The phrase “you have fattened your hearts for the day of slaughter” is a vivid and sobering imagery. Like animals being well-fed before judgment, these individuals are unknowingly preparing themselves for divine reckoning. Their problem is not pleasure itself, but self-centered living without regard for God or others.
James delivers a sobering message: wealth without righteousness leads to ruin, and God will hold every injustice to account
Examples of Suffering and Patience
James 5:7-8, “7Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord, Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until He receive the early and latter rain. 8Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.”
Personal Translation: Be patient therefore, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. Consider how a farmer waits for the valuable crop from the land, patiently waiting for the early and late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, because the coming of the Lord is near.
After delivering a strong warning to the unjust rich, James now turns back to believers—especially those who are suffering under oppression, injustice, or hardship. He calls believers to enduring patience, not passive resignation. This patience is rooted in hope—the certainty that Jesus will return and set all things right. Justice may seem delayed, but it is never absent.
Patience is the key theme here. After a farmer plants seed in the ground, he must wait patiently. He depends on the early rain to soften the soil and cause the seed to germinate. Then he waits for the latter rain, which allows the crop to grow and mature. James teaches that we must wait in the same way—with trust, endurance, and confidence in God’s timing.
In the same manner, we are to trust God even when relief or justice does not come immediately. God’s people are called to patience in this life. How do we establish—that is, strengthen and make firm—our hearts for the coming of the Lord? We do so by reading and spreading God’s Word, maintaining a settled commitment to Jesus Christ, and enduring trials and tribulations with patience, knowing that the Lord’s return is drawing near. The return of Jesus Christ is not a distant theory—it is a certain reality. This is the foundation of true Christian patience.
The early and latter rains represent everything necessary for spiritual growth—God’s provision at the proper time. The early rain came when God poured out His Spirit on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-16, Joel 2:23-32). The latter rain refers to the outpouring of the Holy Ghost during the final harvest of souls before the second coming of Jesus Christ (Matthew 24:27-31; Joel 2; Hosea 6).
Jesus said, “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth laborers into His harvest” (Matthew 9:37-38). Every Christian’s heartfelt prayer should be, “Lord send me!” While we patiently await the coming of the Lord, we are called to occupy until He comes (Luke 19:13).
James reminds believers that the story is not finished—and because the Lord is coming, patience is never wasted, and faithfulness is never in vain.
James 5:9, “9Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the Judge standeth before the door.”
Personal Translation: Do not complain or grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, so that you will not be judged. Behold—the Judge is standing at the door.
James continues addressing Christians who are living under pressure, hardship, and injustice. In times of suffering, it is easy for frustration to spill over—not toward oppressors, but toward one another.
Some of our greatest struggles involve people, and being part of God’s family does not exempt us from conflict with each other. James warns us not to grudge against one another—that is, not to sigh, groan, murmur, or complain against our church family. When we condemn one another, we ultimately condemn ourselves. There is only one Judge, and James reminds us that He is standing at the door. The Lord hears our murmuring and complaining against one another.
Scripture gives us clear examples of God’s displeasure with grumbling among His people (1 Corinthians 10:10-11; Numbers 11:1; 12:2; 14:1-11; Psalm 106:24-25). God takes murmuring seriously, especially when it is directed toward our church family. Unchecked resentment, bitterness, and fault-finding invite God’s discipline. Suffering does not excuse sinful attitudes or speech.
This is a powerful reminder of Jesus’ nearness and authority. We are to live with awareness—Jesus sees how we respond under pressure. He sees our words, our attitudes, and how we treat others. His return is imminent. The Judge is not far away; He stands at the door.
James reminds us that faithfulness includes patience with God—and grace toward one another.
James 5:10-11, “10Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. 11Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Jobe, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.”
Personal Translation: Brothers and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord as examples of suffering affliction and their patience. Indeed, we consider those who endured to be blessed. You have heard of Jobe’s perseverance and have seen the outcome the Lord brought about—that the Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
James continues encouraging Christians who are experiencing hardship by pointing them to biblical examples of faithful endurance. He directs our attention to the Old Testament prophets and to Jobe as models of suffering patiently.
We consider those who endured to be blessed. Blessing is not defined by ease or comfort, but by faithful perseverance. Those who remain steadfast under trial are called blessed because God honors endurance. This echoes Jesus’ teaching that blessing belongs to those who endure suffering for righteousness’ sake (Matthew 5:10-12).
Jobe is a powerful example of endurance. He suffered immense loss—his family, his health, and his livelihood—yet he did not abandon his faith in God. Jobe’s life shows that true faith can survive deep pain, confusion, and unanswered questions.
Through their example, we are able to see the end of the Lord—how God ultimately restored Jobe and revealed His compassionate purpose. Jobe did not see this outcome while he was suffering, yet he endured because he trusted God. James teaches that God’s purposes are often revealed after the trial, not during it.
This is the heart of the passage. Suffering does not mean God is cruel or absent. On the contrary, God is deeply compassionate and merciful, even when His plans are beyond our understanding. Though we may not see the end while we are suffering, we can remain faithful, knowing that God is faithful.
As James pointed out in (James 1:2) we can count it all joy through our suffering. We too can know our end through faith, when we endure with patience and joy.
God’s character—not our circumstances—is the foundation of our hope.
James 5:12, “12But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.”
Personal Translation: Above all things, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath. Let your ‘yes’ mean yes, and your ‘no’ mean no, so that you do not fall under condemnation.”
This verse signals importance. James is emphasizing something essential to Christian character—truthfulness.
James begins with the phrase “above all,” indicating that this instruction is very important. He then echoes, almost word for word, Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:34-37. Truthfulness should come naturally to a born-again believer. A Christian should not need to swear by heaven, earth, God, a Bible, or even a loved one’s grave to convince others they are telling the truth.
James is teaching that our word should already be trustworthy—no oath required.
A simple “yes” should always mean yes, and a “no” should always mean no. Be a person of your word. If not, you could be accused of just giving lip service. God’s people are called to be people of integrity—those whose words can be relied upon without exaggeration or reinforcement.
Watch carefully what you say—when words are careless, dishonest, or misleading, a person risks condemning themselves by their own speech. This warning fits perfectly with what James has been teaching all along—our words matter, and they reveal the condition of our hearts.
Prayer Avails Much
James 5:13, “13Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray.
Personal Translation: Is anyone among you suffering? Let them pray.
James now turns to a very practical instruction for Christians facing hardship. When someone is afflicted—whether through suffering, trouble, pressure, illness, persecution, or emotional distress—the proper response is prayer.
We should pray for ourselves. God is a personal God. Our prayers should be personal. Our prayers should be specific. Prayer is the way we speak to God, and if we are having difficulty, we should let God know.
James has already taught us that we will face trials, but here he reminds us that prayer should be our first and most vital response to suffering.
Is any merry? Let him sing psalms.”
Is anyone cheerful? Let them sing praises.
Similarly, if we are blessed, happy, and cheerful, we should let God know and thank Him by singing praises to Him. James shows that faith is not only for hard times or joyful times—it is for all of life.
Suffering should lead us to prayer—Joy should lead us to praise.
James 5:14-15, “14Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 15And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.”
Personal Translation: Is anyone sick among you? Let them call for 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 save the sick person, and the Lord will raise them up, and if they have committed sins, they will be forgiven.
James is emphasizing the power and purpose of prayer within the church, especially in times of weakness and need. When one is sick—whether physically, spiritually, or both—they are instructed to seek help from the church. The responsibility is placed on the one who is sick to seek spiritual support.
The elders represent mature, spiritually accountable leaders who shepherd the church. This shows that healing prayer is meant to happen within the body of Christ, not in isolation.
James is pointing us to the fact that it’s not all about physical healing. There is forgiveness of sins in this process. “Save” here can mean heal, restore, or deliver—whether physically, spiritually, or both. While physical healing matters, spiritual restoration is even more important.
James carefully points out that the Lord is the healer—not the elders, not the oil, and not the prayer itself. The oil is symbolic, the elders are obedient servants, and the prayer is the means—but God alone brings healing and forgiveness.
James teaches that prayer is not a last resort—it is God’s design for care, healing, and restoration within the church.
James 5:16, “16Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
Personal Translation: Confess your faults to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective, sincere prayer of a righteous person has much power.
James deliberately uses the word faults, not sins. This refers to failures, struggles, weaknesses, offenses, and shortcomings, not necessarily unconfessed or ongoing sin that requires repentance before God.
This kind of confession is about humility and honesty. It means being open about where we struggle so that healing and support can take place within the body of Christ. Confession brings things into the light so prayer, support, and restoration can happen. James is showing that restoration happens in a praying, caring church
James emphasizes that prayer is powerful—not because of volume or eloquence, but because:
- It is sincere (“effectual”)
- It is earnest (“fervent”)
- It flows from a life aligned with God (“righteous”)
Church members should pray for church members.
Pastors should pray for church members.
Church members should pray for pastors.
Pastors should pray for pastors.
It’s a beautiful, Spirit-filled prayer extravaganza—everyone praying for one another!
This kind of prayer is powerful. It is effective. It truly avails much!
What a joyful picture of the body of Christ—connected, caring, and covered in prayer.
James 5:17-18, “17Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. 18And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.”
Personal Translation: Elijah was a human being just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Then he prayed again, and the sky gave rain, and the land produced its crops.
James ends his letter by reminding us of something powerful and hope-filled:
prayer works—and it works through ordinary people.
James gives us a real-life example when he mentions Elijah. Elijah was not superhuman. He was not perfect, flawless, or beyond struggle. James says plainly that Elijah was just like us, with the same emotions, weaknesses, fears, and limitations. Yet God responded mightily to his prayers (1 Kings 17, 18).
The key phrase is “he prayed earnestly.” Elijah prayed with sincerity, persistence, and faith. And God answered—first by withholding rain as a judgment, and later by sending rain as a blessing and restoration.
It was not about the power of Elijah, it was about the power of God. God is powerful. We should pray with faith knowing that God can do anything! And we should pray according to God’s will (Matthew 6:9-10; Luke 11:2).
When Elijah prayed again, God restored what had been withheld. The rain returned, and the earth became fruitful once more. This is a picture of hope, renewal, and God’s responsiveness to prayer.
James is teaching us that prayer is not weak or symbolic—it is effective and powerful. When God’s people pray, things change.
James 5:19-20, “19Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 20let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.”
Personal Translation: Brothers and sisters, if any of you wanders away from the truth and someone brings them back, let that person know that whoever turns a sinner back from the error of their way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.
James closes his letter with a loving, pastoral call to responsibility for one another.
If someone turns back a person who has erred or wandered from the truth, James wants you to understand the seriousness and beauty of that act: a soul is saved from death, and a multitude of sins is covered. Restoration is a church responsibility. God often uses the church or its members, to lovingly correct, warn, encourage, and guide someone back to the truth.
Important message to remember—Jesus is the one who saves. Jesus heals. Jesus forgives sin. Jesus makes us right with God. When we lovingly help lead someone back to Christ, we are participating in God’s saving work.
Restoration leads to forgiveness, healing, and reconciliation. When a sinner repents, sins are forgiven and no longer held against them. Love does not expose for the sake of shame—it restores for the sake of healing.
When we love as Jesus loves us, love shall cover a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). We cover sin by acknowledging it and then extending the forgiveness God has given us to others.
We must all be on a mission of love to bring people back to the truth!
Summary
James begins by issuing a strong warning to the rich who misuse wealth, oppress workers, and live in self-indulgence while ignoring justice and mercy. He reminds them that earthly riches are temporary and that unjust gain will bring divine judgment. God hears the cries of the oppressed and will hold every injustice accountable.
James then turns back to Christians who are suffering, calling them to patient endurance until the coming of the Lord. Using the example of a farmer, the prophets, and Job, he teaches that perseverance in hardship is blessed, and that God is compassionate and merciful, even when His purposes are not immediately seen.
He warns us not to grumble against one another, reminding us that the Judge is near and that suffering does not excuse sinful attitudes. Faithfulness includes patience with God and grace toward others.
James emphasizes truthfulness, teaching that Christians should be people of integrity whose words are trustworthy—simple yes and no, without careless oaths.
The chapter then highlights the central role of prayer in the life of the church. Whether suffering, rejoicing, or sick, Christians are called to pray. Healing, forgiveness, and restoration are shown as part of God’s design for community life.
The prayers of righteous people are powerful and effective!
James concludes with a pastoral call to restoration. We are responsible to care for one another by lovingly guiding those who stray back to the truth. Bringing someone back is an act of love that leads to forgiveness, healing, and the saving of a soul.
James closes his letter by reminding us that faith is lived out through patience, prayer, integrity, and love for one another—all rooted in hope for the coming of the Lord.
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