Setting

We have studied the exhortations on doing the word and having a faith that is accompanied by works. We have also learned two areas of application, namely speech and strife. In this lesson, we see that James relates faith not only to the present but also to our attitude towards the future. The teachings in this passage stress our accountability towards God, who is in control of the future and will judge everyone when the Lord comes.

Key Verse

(4:15, 5:7)

Did You Know...?

1. Lord of Sabbath (5:4): This designation comes from the Hebrew expression that means “the Lord of Hosts.”
2. Early and latter rain (5:7): “In Palestine the early rains came in October and November soon after the grain was sown, and the latter rains came in April and May as the grain was maturing. Both rainy seasons were necessary for a successful crop. Knowing this, the farmer was willing to wait patiently until both rains came and provided the needed moisture.” ^[ref]

Outline

• Arrogant Boasting about Tomorrow
  (4:13-17)
• Denunciation of Rich Oppressors
  (5:1-6)
• Waiting Patiently for the Coming of the Lord
  (5:7-12)

Keywords/Phrases

"You do not know what will happen tomorrow", arrogance, boast, coming of the Lord, condemned/murdered the just, do not grumble, establish your hearts, fraud, if the Lord wills, Judge/judgment, knows…and does not do, last days, patient, pleasure and luxury, rich, suffering, swear, vapor, weep and howl

General Analysis

• 1.

  How does each of the three paragraphs relate to the main subject—”the future”?         Show Answer The first paragraph has to do with the correct attitude about the immediate future. The second paragraph warns of the judgment in the near future. The last paragraph calls for patience until the coming of the Lord, which is also in the near future. Hide Answer

• 2.	Compare the tone of the second paragraph (5:1-6) and the third paragraph (5:7-12).         Show Answer Whereas the tone of the second paragraph is denunciatory, the tone of the third paragraph is one of encouragement. Hide Answer

Segment Analysis

• 4:13-17

  1.	What is James warning us against? Planning? Profit-making?         Show Answer James is not warning against planning or profit-making, but against arrogance and boasting (16). Such arrogance and boasting come from the presumption that we are in command of our own lives. Hide Answer

• 2a.	What two things about our lives does verse 14 remind us of?         Show Answer 1. Our future is uncertain. 2. Our lives are short. Hide Answer

• 2b.	How does the reminder in verse 14 determine the way we live our daily lives? Do you live your life today with this in mind?         Show Answer (The answer is empty) Hide Answer

• 3.	What attitude is James teaching us to have in verse 15?         Show Answer Behind the words “if the Lord wills” is a heart of dependence on God’s sustenance and respect for His will. Hide Answer

• 4a.

  How does verse 17 relate to the preceding verses?         Show Answer In the preceding verses, James has just explained why arrogant boasting is evil and taught us what is right and good (i.e. to honor God’s sovereign will). In this verse, James extends the teaching on good and evil to include a broader principle—failing to do the good is in itself evil. Hide Answer

• 4b.

  Why is it a transgression (violation of God’s law) if we do not do the good we know?         Show Answer God’s law not only forbids us to do evil but also commands us to do good. When we fail to do what is good, we become a transgressor of God’s law. Furthermore, withholding good deeds can become a harm to others (e.g. Lk 6:6-10). Hide Answer

• 4c.	Where do you stand when you measure yourself with the teaching of this verse? What good deeds do you need to start doing?         Show Answer (The answer is empty) Hide Answer

• 5:1-6

  5a.	What sins does James denounce in this paragraph?         Show Answer Accumulation of wealth (2,3), withholding wages by fraud (4), living in pleasure and luxury (5), condemning and murdering the just (6). Hide Answer

• 5b.	What does the conduct of these rich people tell us about them with respect to God?         Show Answer They have no fear of God and love pleasure rather than God. Hide Answer

• 6.	Why should these rich men and women weep and howl?         Show Answer They will be in misery because God will soon judge them. Hide Answer

• 7a.

  What is wrong with heaping up treasure in the last days (3)?         Show Answer According to verses 2 and 3, the rich keep accumulating wealth that is never put to good use. That is why their valuables were corrupted, garments moth-eaten, and gold and silver corroded. The hoarding of wealth contributes to economic injustice in society. This sin is especially evil because it is done in the last days. In other words, these rich people disregard the impending judgment of God and indulge in wanton living. Hide Answer

• 7b.	Are you heaping up treasure in the last days? What are you doing with your possessions?         Show Answer (The answer is empty) Hide Answer

• 8.

  Explain the words “you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter.” (cf. Jer 12:3).         Show Answer The day of slaughter is the time when the owner slaughters his fattened cattle. James uses this language to depict how the rich are satisfying their hearts with pleasure and completely unaware of their impending destruction. Hide Answer

• 5:7-12

  9.

  What does the word “therefore” tell you about the situation that called for patience?         Show Answer We may infer from this verse that the believers were probably victims of social oppression. Even if they were not suffering from oppression per se, the exhortation may be an encouragement for believers to wait patiently for the Lord’s coming, knowing that God’s judgment will soon take place. Hide Answer

• 10.

  What does it mean to establish our hearts (8)? What does it involve?         Show Answer Establishing our hearts means strengthening our faith in the Lord and not letting our conviction be shaken by any circumstance (cf. 1Cor 15:58). This inner strength comes from the sure hope of the Lord’s coming. Hide Answer

• 11.

  How is grumbling a sign of impatience?         Show Answer “Grumbling,” which literally means “groaning,” refers to words or expressions that show the inner bitterness over the offenses of others. Thus when James admonishes us not to grumble against each other, he is teaching us to stop complaining and bear with one another until the coming of the Judge. Hide Answer

• 12.	What lessons does James want us to learn from Job’s suffering?         Show Answer 1. The perseverance of Job. 2. The Lord is very compassionate and merciful (cf. Job 42:10-17). Hide Answer

• 13.

  What makes a person swear? Why is this wrong? (cf. Mt 5:33-37)         Show Answer Perhaps some people used oaths as an expedient way to gain credibility. Therefore, the point of the command is to speak the truth to one another without invoking the name of God or relying on other forms of oath. Hide Answer

• 14.	In view of the teachings of this paragraph, in what ways can you be more patient?         Show Answer (The answer is empty) Hide Answer