Page 58 - book_james

James asks these believers to use the Word as their source of strength and patience in the time
of suffering. The Old Testament prophets, and Jesus Himself, are the writers James is referring to
(Matthew 5:12, 21:35‐36, 22:6, 23:29‐37; Luke 13:33). There are also many writers of the New
Testament they were looking to (Acts 7:51‐52; Romans 11:3; 1 Thessalonians 2:15; Hebrews
11:32‐38; Revelation 16:6, 18:24).

No one ever survives a time of testing by Satan without the Word and patience. All of the heroes
of faith found in the Word of God are there as examples for our lives (1 Corinthians 10:6).

Jas 5:11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and
have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

Behold, we count them happy (makarios: blessed) which endure. Ye have heard of the patience
(upomone: endurance) of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful,
and of tender mercy.

There is a blessing attached to endurance under pressure. The blessing not only comes to the
one who waits, but also to those who witness the long‐suffering of the believer during trials and
the rewards that come in the end.

The term “blessed” was also used in 1:12 to describe the reward of the steadfast believer during
persecution. He was said to “receive the crown of life.”
This is the only place where Job is mentioned in all of the New Testament. Although his patience
is not known, his endurance and steadfastness during trouble are. He complained and even spoke
out falsely about God (Job 7:11‐16, 10:18, 23:2, 30:20‐23), but he did repent in the end and saw
his troubles turned and his blessings restored (42:12‐17). This outpouring of mercy James is
referring to is waiting for the one who will stedfastly endure temptations.

It is interesting that James (unlike Peter) does not use the Lord Jesus as an example of faith,
suffering, or unanswered prayer. He uses people who had failures in their lives, such as Abraham,
Rahab, and Elijah, so we can be more encouraged when we think about our own failures. The
Lord gives grace and mercy to those who follow Him patiently and steadfastly (Psalm 103:8).

E. Faith Tested by Its Reaction to Self‐Serving Oaths (12)

Jas 5:12 But 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.
But above (before) all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by earth,
neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into
condemnation (judgment).

This is the closing thought for this section and therefore important. James wants this to be the
utmost thought and come before anything that has been said until now. This verse concludes the