James 5:10-12

Those Who Endure Are Blessed

The prophets suffered for God. The Greek word for "suffering" which James uses in reference to the prophets is one which designates external pressure (Matthew 23:34; Luke 11:47; Acts 7:52). Those spokesmen for God left an example of bearing up under such and remaining true to the Lord. Their example should encourage Christ's followers to like patience (James 5:10; Hebrews 11:32-38). They were not just happy because of favorable external circumstances. Those men of faith were happy because of a disposition of heart, or from the inside out. To be able to bear up under such trials because of wicked people, the men of faith had to remember the end of a wicked life (Psalms 73:1-18; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9), as well as the goal of the faith in life (Hebrews 11:13-16). Job is James' last example of one who patiently bore suffering. We are able to see the reward of that patience because we know the whole story (Job 42:10-17). While we do not know the whole story in our own lives, we can be assured that the end will work out for our good (James 5:11; Romans 8:28; Romans 8:31-39).

As James' readers awaited the Lord's coming, he urged them to be especially careful to avoid oaths. The Lord, in the sermon on the mount, delivered an injunction against oath taking used to add force to a statement which was made to impress men. Such oath taking may have been used to cause others to believe a lie. Jesus particularly warned the scribes and Pharisees about this practice (Matthew 5:33-37; Matthew 23:16-22). This would not seem to prohibit solemn oaths involved in law, religion or contracts (Hebrews 6:13; Hebrews 7:21; Matthew 26:63-64; Romans 1:9; 2 Corinthians 1:23; Galatians 1:20; 1 Peter 1:8). Christians should be known for doing exactly what they say they will do, thus being ever ready to receive a blessing from the Lord (James 5:12).