Jam 5:7-11 | RWP | e4.org | Be patient therefore ( μακροθυμησατε ουν ). A direct corollary ( ουν , therefore) from the coming judgment on the wicked rich ( ). First aorist (constative) active imperative of μακροθυμεω , late compound (Plutarch, LXX) from μακροθυμος ( μακροσ, θυμος , of long spirit, not losing heart), as in . The appeal is to the oppressed brethren. Catch your wind for a long race (long-tempered as opposed to short-tempered). See already the exhortation to patience ( υπομονη ) in ., and repeated in . They will need both submission ( υπομενω ) and steadfastness ( μακροθυμια ). Until the coming of the Lord ( εως της παρουσιας ). The second coming of Christ he means, the regular phrase here and in verse for that idea ( , , ; , etc.). The husbandman ( ο γεωργος ). The worker in the ground ( γη, εργω ) as in . Waiteth for ( εκδεχετα ). Present middle indicative of εκδεχομα , old verb for eager expectation as in . Precious ( τιμιον ). Old adjective from τιμη (honor, price), dear to the farmer because of his toil for it. See . Being patient over it ( μακροθυμων επ' αυτω ). Present active participle of μακροθυμεω just used in the exhortation, picturing the farmer longing and hoping over his precious crop (cf. of God). Until it receive ( εως λαβη ). Temporal clause of the future with εως and the second aorist active subjunctive of λαμβανω , vividly describing the farmer's hopes and patience. The early and latter rain ( προιμον κα οψιμον ). The word for rain ( υετον ) is absent from the best MSS. The adjective προιμος (from πρω , early) occurs here only in N.T., though old in the form προιμος and πρωις . See ; , etc. for these terms for the early rain in October or November for the germination of the grain, and the latter rain ( οψιμον , from οψε , late, here only in N.T.) in April and May for maturing the grain.

‏ James 5:7-11

Be patient therefore ( μακροθυμησατε ουν ). A direct corollary ( ουν, therefore) from the coming judgment on the wicked rich (5:1-6). First aorist (constative) active imperative of μακροθυμεω, late compound (Plutarch, LXX) from μακροθυμος ( μακροσ, θυμος, of long spirit, not losing heart), as in Mt 18:26. The appeal is to the oppressed brethren. Catch your wind for a long race (long-tempered as opposed to short-tempered). See already the exhortation to patience ( υπομονη ) in 1:3f.,12 and repeated in 5:11. They will need both submission ( υπομενω 5:11) and steadfastness ( μακροθυμια 5:10).

Until the coming of the Lord ( εως της παρουσιας ). The second coming of Christ he means, the regular phrase here and in verse 8 for that idea (Mt 24:3, 37, 39; 1Th 2:19, etc.).

The husbandman ( ο γεωργος ). The worker in the ground ( γη, εργω ) as in Mt 21:33f.

Waiteth for ( εκδεχετα ). Present middle indicative of εκδεχομα, old verb for eager expectation as in Ac 17:16.

Precious ( τιμιον ). Old adjective from τιμη (honor, price), dear to the farmer because of his toil for it. See 1Pe 1:19.

Being patient over it ( μακροθυμων επ' αυτω ). Present active participle of μακροθυμεω just used in the exhortation, picturing the farmer longing and hoping over his precious crop (cf. Lu 18:7 of God).

Until it receive ( εως λαβη ). Temporal clause of the future with εως and the second aorist active subjunctive of λαμβανω, vividly describing the farmer's hopes and patience.

The early and latter rain ( προιμον κα οψιμον ). The word for rain ( υετον Ac 14:17) is absent from the best MSS. The adjective προιμος (from πρω, early) occurs here only in N.T., though old in the form προιμος and πρωις. See De 11:14; Jer 5:24, etc. for these terms for the early rain in October or November for the germination of the grain, and the latter rain ( οψιμον, from οψε, late, here only in N.T.) in April and May for maturing the grain.

Ye also ( κα υμεις ). As well as the farmers.

Stablish ( στηριξατε ). First aorist active imperative of στηριζω, old verb, (from στηριγξ, a support) to make stable, as in Lu 22:32; 1Th 3:13.

Is at hand ( ηγγικεν ). Present perfect active indicative of εγγιζω, common verb, to draw near (from εγγυς ), in Jas 4:8, for drawing near. Same form used by John in his preaching (Mt 3:2). In 1Pe 4:7 the same word appears to have an eschatological sense as apparently here. How "near" or "nigh" did James mean? Clearly, it could only be a hope, for Jesus had distinctly said that no one knew when he would return.

Murmur not ( μη στεναζετε ). Prohibition with μη and the present active imperative of στεναζω, old verb, to groan. "Stop groaning against one another," as some were already doing in view of their troubles. In view of the hope of the Second Coming lift up your heads.

That ye be not judged ( ινα μη κριθητε ). Negative purpose clause with ινα μη and the first aorist passive subjunctive of κρινω. As already indicated (2:12f.; 4:12) and repeated in 5:12. Reminiscence of the words of Jesus in Mt 7:1f.

Standeth before the doors ( προ των θυρων εστηκεν ). Perfect active indicative of ιστημ, "is standing now." Again like the language of Jesus in Mt 24:33 ( επ θυραις ) and Mr 13:29. Jesus the Judge is pictured as ready to enter for the judgment.

For an example ( υποδειγμα ). Late word for the old παραδειγμα, from υποδεικνυμ, to copy under, to teach (Lu 6:47), here for copy to be imitated as in Joh 13:15, as a warning (Heb 4:11). Here predicate accusative with τους προφητας (the prophets) as the direct object of λαβετε (second aorist active imperative of λαμβανω ).

Of suffering ( της κακοπαθιας ). Old word from κακοπαθης (suffering evil, κακοπαθεω in verse 13; 2Ti 2:3, 9), here only in N.T.

Of patience ( μακροθυμιας ). Like μακροθυμεω in 5:7. See both μακροθυμια and υπομονη in 2Co 4:6; Col 1:11 (the one restraint from retaliating, the other not easily succumbing).

In the name of ( εν τω ονοματ ). As in Jer 20:9. With the authority of the Lord (Deissmann, Bible Studies, p. 198).

We call blessed ( μακαριζομεν ). Old word (present active indicative of μακαριζω ), from μακαριος (happy), in N.T. only here and Lu 1:48. "We felicitate." As in 1:3, 12; Da 12:12.

Ye have heard ( ηκουσατε ). First aorist (constative) active indicative of ακουω. As in Mt 5:21, 27, 33, 38, 43. Ropes suggests in the synagogues.

Of Job ( Ιωβ ). Job did complain, but he refused to renounce God (Job 1:21; 2:10; 13:15; 16:19; 19:25f.). He had become a stock illustration of loyal endurance.

Ye have seen ( ειδετε ). Second aorist (constative) active indicative of οραω. In Job's case.

The end of the Lord ( το τελος κυριου ). The conclusion wrought by the Lord in Job's case (Job 42:12).

Full of pity ( πολυσπλαγχνος ). Late and rare compound ( πολυσ, σπλαγχνον ), only here in N.T. It occurs also in Hermas (Sim. v. 7. 4; Mand. iv, 3). "Very kind."

Merciful ( οικτιρμων ). Late and rare adjective (from οικτειρω to pity), in N.T. only here and Lu 6:36.