Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of James 5:8
Be ye also patient; establish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
8. Be ye also patient ] Better, long-suffering; as before.
stablish your hearts ] Better, strengthen. The strength is to come from the thought that the great Advent has come near, that there will be a great Court of Appeal from all man’s injustice. Here, as before, we note a hope which was not fulfilled as men expected its fulfilment, and yet was not frustrated. The promise of the second Advent has been to believers in Christ what the promise of the first Advent was to Abraham and the patriarchs. They saw the far-off fulfilment, knowing not the times and seasons, and it made them feel that they were strangers and pilgrims (Heb 11:13), and so purified and strengthened them.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Be ye also patient – As the farmer is. In due time, as he expects the return of the rain, so you may anticipate deliverance from your trials.
Stablish your hearts – Let your purposes and your faith be firm and unwavering. Do not become weary and fretful; but bear with constancy all that is laid upon you, until the time of your deliverance shall come.
For the coming of the Lord draweth nigh – Compare Rev 22:10, Rev 22:12, Rev 22:20; the notes at 1Co 15:51. It is clear, I think, from this place, that the apostle expected that that which he understood by the coming of the Lord was soon to occur; for it was to be that by which they would obtain deliverance from the trials which they then endured. See Jam 5:7. Whether it means that he was soon to come to judgment, or to bring to an end the Jewish policy and to set up his kingdom on the earth, or that they would soon be removed by death, cannot be determined from the mere use of the language. The most natural interpretation of the passage, and one which will accord well with the time when the Epistle was written, is, that the predicted time of the destruction of Jerusalem Matt. 24 was at hand; that there were already indications that that would soon occur; and that there was a prevalent expectation among Christians that that event would be a release from many trials of persecution, and would be followed by the setting up of the Redeemers kingdom.
Perhaps many expected that the judgment would occur at that time, and that the Saviour would set up a personal reign on the earth. But the expectation of others might have been merely – what is indeed all that is necessarily implied in the predictions on the subject – that there would be after that a rapid and extensive spread of the principles of the Christian religion in the world. The destruction of Jerusalem and of the temple would contribute to that by bringing to an end the whole system of Jewish types and sacrifices; by convincing Christians that there was not to be one central rallying-point, thus destroying their lingering prejudices in favor of the Jewish mode of worship; and by scattering them abroad through the world to propagate the new religion. The Epistle was written, it is supposed, some ten or twelve years before the destruction of Jerusalem, (Introduction, Section 3,) and it is not improbable that there were already some indications of that approaching event.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 8. Be ye also patient] Wait for God’s deliverance, as ye wait for his bounty in providence.
Stablish your hearts] Take courage; do not sink under your trials.
The coming of the Lord draweth nigh.] . Is at hand. He is already on his way to destroy this wicked people, to raze their city and temple, and to destroy their polity for ever; and this judgment will soon take place.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Be ye also patient; viz. in expectation of your harvest, and the fruit of your labours, as the husbandman is in looking for his.
Stablish your hearts; let your hearts be stedfast in faith and constant in holiness, encouraging yourselves to both by the coming of the Lord.
For the coming of the Lord draweth nigh; as before, his coming to the general judgment, which is said to be nigh, because of the certainty of its coming, and the uncertainty of the time when it will come, and because it is continually drawing on, and the whole time of the worlds duration till then is but short in comparison of the eternity following; and likewise because the particular judgment of every man is nigh at hand. See Phi 4:5; Heb 10:37.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
8. coming . . . draweth nighTheGreek expresses present time and a settled state. 1Pe4:7, “is at hand.” We are to live in a continued stateof expectancy of the Lord’s coming, as an event always nigh.Nothing can more “stablish the heart” amidst presenttroubles than the realized expectation of His speedy coming.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Be ye also patient,…. As well as the husbandman, and like him; and wait for the rains and dews of divine grace to fall, and make fruitful, and for the ripe fruit of eternal life; and in the mean while cheerfully and patiently bear all injuries, and oppressions:
stablish your hearts; though the state of the saints is stable, they being fixed in the everlasting love of God, in the covenant of grace, in the hands of Christ, and on the rock of ages; yet their hearts are very unstable, and so are their frames, and the exercise of grace in them, and need establishing, which God’s work; which is often done by the means of the word and ordinances; and these the saints should make use of, for the establishing of their hearts: the sense may be, take heart, be of good cheer, do not be dismayed, or faint, or sink under your pressures, but be of good courage, pluck up your spirits, lift up your heads: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh; when he will render tribulation to them that trouble them, free them from all their sorrows and afflictions, and enter them into the joy of their Lord; which will be either at death, which was not very far off, or at the last day, which was drawing nearer and nearer, and which with God was near; with whom a thousand years are as one day.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Ye also ( ). As well as the farmers.
Stablish (). First aorist active imperative of , old verb, (from , a support) to make stable, as in Luke 22:32; 1Thess 3:13.
Is at hand (). Present perfect active indicative of , common verb, to draw near (from ), 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.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
The dispersed, persecuted brethren are charged to take hold of patience, stabilize, their hearts and affections, keep them under proper control, because the Judge of the universe, the Lord, Jesus Christ is about to come to the scene. His coming is the incentive for every Christian virtue, Heb 10:36-37; Luk 21:19.
ONE DAY AT A TIME
A doctor was once asked by a patient who had met with a serious accident, “Doctor, how long shall I have to lie here?” The answer, “Only a day at a time,” taught the patient a precious lesson. It was the same lesson God had recorded for His people of all ages, long before: The day’s portion in its day. Faithful for one short day, long years take care of themselves.
– Andrew Murray
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
8 Stablish your hearts. Lest any should object and say, that the time of deliverance was too long delayed, he obviates this objection and says, that the Lord was at hand, or (which is the same thing) that his coming was drawing nigh. In the meantime, he bids us to correct the softness of the heart, which weakens us, so as not to persevere in hope. And doubtless the time appears long, because we are too tender and delicate. We ought, then, to gather strength that we may become hardened and this cannot be better attained than by hope, and as it were by a realizing view of the near approach of our Lord.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(8) The coming of the Lord draweth nigh.Read thus, The presence of the Lord is nigh. For the ancient belief in the nearness of Christs second advent, see Note above, in Jas. 5:3. The word used by the Apostle to describe its closeness is the same as that used in Mat. 3:2, The kingdom of heaven is at hand The afflicted are therefore to establish, or rather strengthen, their hearts. If comfort retained its older sense, such would express the true idea. Comp. the great prophecy of Israels consolation (Isaiah 40, et seq.).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
8. Emphasis on ye, as imitators of the husbandman.
Draweth nigh Note on 2Pe 3:8.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.’
So they are to await the Lord’s coming with patient endurance, and establish their hearts through prayer (Jas 1:5-6; Jas 5:13), through the reading and hearing of the word (Jas 1:21; Col 3:16; 2Ti 1:13; 1Pe 2:2), through doing good (Jas 1:22 and often; Heb 10:22-25) and through looking constantly to Him (Heb 12:1-2), so that they would be spiritually strong and enduring. There can be little doubt here that ‘the Lord’ here signifies ‘the Lord, Jesus Christ’ (Jas 1:1; Jas 2:1). It was for His coming that men were told particularly to wait.
Note the requirement to ‘establish your hearts’. Waiting for the Lord’s coming requires not just patience but preparation. Compare Luk 12:35-40).
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Jam 5:8. For the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. The apostle by this phrase seems plainly to mean, the coming of the Romans to destroy or carry away captive the Jewish nation: for what God in his providence promises, he himself is very often said to do. See Mat 27:33. Mar 13:29. Luk 21:20. Indeed it may be asked, What other coming of the Lord was then drawing nigh? Is it not intimated, Jam 5:1 that very great evils were just ready to fall upon the rich Jews? That they would speedily be punished for their covetousness and luxury, and particularly for their persecuting the Christians?And it was about a year after the writing of this epistle that the Jewish wars actually broke out, which ended in the destruction of the Jewish nation. Well therefore might it now be said, that the coming of the Lord drew nigh. This was a very proper motive by which to excite the Christians to patience; for the Jews were their principal persecutors, and their destruction approached swiftly. Jam 5:9. Grudge not, &c.] , groan not, from anger or envy; complain not. Impatience toward each other is here condemned, as impatience under the treatment which they met with from their enemies and persecutors is condemned in the preceding verse; and the Judge might be at the door, ready to condemn the guilty among the Christians, as well as to avenge them of their adversaries.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Jas 5:8 . Resumption and completion of the exhortation. The after is explained from the reference to .
By the asyndeton addition , the conduct which is the condition of is emphasized. Not weak, but strong hearts are able to cherish ; on this expression, comp. 1Th 3:13 ; 1Pe 5:10 . The strengthening is indeed, on the one hand, an affair of God; but, on the other hand, it depends on the man himself, just like everything else that is obtained by the man surrendering himself to the love of God working in him.
. . .] Calvin: Ne quis objiceret, nimium differri liberationis tempus, occurrit dicens, prope instare Dominum, vel (quod idem est) ejus adventum appropinquasse.
On the expression, comp. especially 1Pe 4:7 .
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
Ver. 8. For the coming ] SeeJas 5:7Jas 5:7 . And he when he comes shall set all to rights. We shall see so much reason in his proceedings, which now we comprehend not, that we shall yield him the “only wise God.”
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
8 .] be ye also patient (as well as, after the example of, the husbandman): establish (confirm, strengthen, both which are required for patience) your hearts, because the coming of the Lord is nigh (perf.: ‘hath (already) drawn near, and is therefore at hand,’ as the perfects , , &c. Calvin says, “Colligendum robur ad durandum: colligi autem melius non potest, quam ex spe et quasi intuitu propinqui adventus Domini”).
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Jas 5:8 . : a Hebrew idiom, ; in the O.T. mostly of strengthening the body with food. : see above; cf. Mat 3:2 ; Luk 21:28 ; Phi 4:6 ; 1Pe 4:7 ; 1Co 15:52 ; 1Th 4:15 ; 1Th 1 John 1:18.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
stablish. See Rom 1:11.
draweth nigh = hath drawn near. See Mat 3:2.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
8.] be ye also patient (as well as, after the example of, the husbandman): establish (confirm, strengthen, both which are required for patience) your hearts, because the coming of the Lord is nigh (perf.: hath (already) drawn near, and is therefore at hand, as the perfects , , &c. Calvin says, Colligendum robur ad durandum: colligi autem melius non potest, quam ex spe et quasi intuitu propinqui adventus Domini).
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Jam 5:8. , the coming) which will also bear precious fruit.-, is come nigh) The apostles said this with truth: although those times intervene which are spoken of, 2 Thessalonians 2 and in the Apocalypse. Comp. the note, Act 2:39.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
ye also: Gen 49:18, Psa 37:7, Psa 40:1-3, Psa 130:5, Lam 3:25, Lam 3:26, Mic 7:7, Hab 2:3, Rom 8:25, Gal 5:22, 1Th 1:10, 2Th 3:5, Heb 10:35-37
stablish: Psa 27:14
for: Jam 5:9, Phi 4:5, Heb 10:25-37, 1Pe 4:7, Rev 22:20
Reciprocal: Gen 8:12 – And he Job 14:14 – all the days Ecc 7:8 – the patient Isa 28:16 – he that Eze 7:12 – time Eze 12:23 – The days Eze 36:8 – at hand Joe 2:1 – for the Joe 2:23 – he will Zep 3:8 – wait Zec 14:5 – the Lord Mal 3:5 – I will come Mat 24:27 – the coming Luk 8:15 – bring Luk 12:36 – men Luk 17:24 – in Rom 2:7 – patient 1Co 1:7 – waiting Col 1:11 – unto 1Th 1:3 – and patience 2Th 1:4 – your patience Jam 5:7 – unto Rev 1:3 – for Rev 1:9 – in the Rev 13:10 – Here
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jas 5:8. Also patient has reference to the patience of the husbandman commented upon in the preceding verse. Christians can well afford to be patient for their interests are far more valuable than those of a farmer. Draweth nigh. Whether James has reference to the destruction of Jerusalem which was then only a few years away, at which time the persecutions of the disciples were to be somewhat eased, or to the personal appearance on earth of Jesus for the judgment, the time would be comparatively short when the endless duration after the judgment is considered.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Jas 5:8. Be ye also patient: as well as the husbandman; in this imitate his example.
stablish your hearts: possess your souls in patience; be ye stedfast and immoveable. Not the weak, but the strong hearts are qualified to cherish patience (Huther). We need strength of mind to be patient; endurance is an evidence of strength.
for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh: the Lord is near; His coming to execute vengeance on your oppressors, and to reward your patience, is close at hand. Lest any, observes Calvin, should object, and say that the time of deliverance was too long delayed, he obviates this objection, and says, The Lord was at hand, or, which is the same thing, The coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Here, also, two different interpretations are given: some referring this phrase to Christs coming in spirit to destroy Jerusalem, and which was close at hand; and others referring it to His coming to judge the worldto the second advent, properly so called. We give the preference to this latter view, as the natural meaning of the words. But, it is asked, how can St. James say that Christs second coming draweth nigh? Some solve the difficulty by saying that it was so in the sight of God, with whom one day is as a thousand years, and that faith enabled believers to see things as God saw them. But St. James mentions this coming for the comfort of the oppressed, and therefore he must allude to a coming in their estimation near at hand. Others refer it to the then general expectation of the Lords advent Believers were then taught to live in constant expectation of the coming of the Lord. This event was indeed shrouded in uncertainty, and our Lord refused to give any revelation as to its time (Act 1:7); but it was not by the primitive Church regarded, as it is by us, as far removed into the distant future, and as wholly improbable to happen in their days, but as an occurrence which might any time take placeeven before that generation had passed away. The longing of the apostolic Church hasted unto the coming of the Lord. All Christian time appeared only as the point of transition to the eternal, and thus as something passing quickly away (Neander). Hence the exhortations of the sacred writers: Let your moderation, says St. Paul, be known unto all men; the Lord is at hand (Php 4:5). The end of all things, says St. Peter, is at hand; be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer (1Pe 4:7).
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Verse 8
Stablish your hearts; be resolute and of good courage.–The coming of the Lord; the time when God shall call the oppressor to account for his sins, and vindicate the rights of the oppressed.
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
While you are being patient, “stablish your hearts” for the time of the coming is nigh. The question is, how do we accomplish the phrase “stablish your hearts?” The term “stablish” relates to the establishment of something on solid footing. Making it set and secure. Our hearts or more to the point, our minds, souls, and focus should be securely grounded. On what, might be your question. Surely, on the coming, when all will be made equal and just, but more to the point, establish yourself solidly in preparation for all that might come, so that you can face it with patience.
“Draweth nigh” is in the perfect tense indicating something that is on the way at the present time and will be on its way until it gets here at some future, but final moment. It is a sure thing is the thought of the tense. You can go to the bank on it – it will certainly happen, there is no doubt, and there is no question, it will occur.
Fuente: Mr. D’s Notes on Selected New Testament Books by Stanley Derickson
When the Lord returns we will receive our reward at the judgment seat of Christ. In the meantime we should be patient and encouraged knowing that our reward lies ahead, as God has promised (cf. Mat 6:20). The rich, who behave as typical rich people, either do not have or have lost sight of this hope. They live only to accumulate as much reward here and now as they can.
". . . the finish line is just ahead: the important point is not to give up now and lose all that for which one has already suffered." [Note: Ibid., p. 184.]
"Anything that must happen, and could happen today, is in a very legitimate sense at hand." [Note: Hodges, The Epistle . . ., p. 111.]