Teks -- James 5:7 (NET)

Patience in Suffering

5:7 So be patient, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s return. Think of how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the ground and is patient for it until it receives the early and late rains.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Robertson: Jam 5:7 - Be patient therefore

Be patient therefore ( makrothumēsate oun ).

A direct corollary (oun , therefore) from the coming judgment on the wicked rich (Jam 5:1-6). First aorist (constative) active imperative of makrothumeō , late compound (Plutarch, lxx) from makrothumos (makros , thumos , of long spirit, not losing heart), as in Mat 18:26. The appeal is to the oppressed brethren. Catch your wind for a long race (long-tempered as opposed to short-tempered). On the exhortation to patience (hupomonē ) see Jam 1:3., Jam 1:12 and repeated in Jam 5:11. They will need both submission (hupomenō Jam 5:11) and steadfastness (makrothumia Jam 5:10).

Robertson: Jam 5:7 - Until the coming of the Lord

Until the coming of the Lord ( heōs tēs parousias ).

The second coming of Christ he means, the regular phrase here and in Jam 5:8 for that idea (Mat 24:3, Mat 24:37, Mat 24:39; 1Th 2:19, etc.).

Robertson: Jam 5:7 - The husbandman

The husbandman ( ho geōrgos ).

The worker in the ground (gē , ergō ) as in Mat 21:33.

Robertson: Jam 5:7 - Waiteth for

Waiteth for ( ekdechetai ).

Present middle indicative of ekdechomai , old verb for eager expectation as in Act 17:16.

Robertson: Jam 5:7 - Precious

Precious ( timion ).

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

Robertson: Jam 5:7 - Being patient over it

Being patient over it ( makrothumōn ep' autōi ).

Present active participle of makrothumeō just used in the exhortation, picturing the farmer longing and hoping over his precious crop (cf. Luk 18:7 of God).

Robertson: Jam 5:7 - Until it receive

Until it receive ( heōs labēi ).

Temporal clause of the future with heōs and the second aorist active subjunctive of lambanō , vividly describing the farmer’ s hopes and patience.

Robertson: Jam 5:7 - The early and latter rain

The early and latter rain ( pro‹mon kai opsimon ).

The word for rain (hueton Act 14:17) is absent from the best MSS. The adjective pro‹mos (from prō‹ , early) occurs here only in N.T., though old in the form pro‹mos and prō‹s . See Deu 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 (opsimon , from opse , late, here only in N.T.) in April and May for maturing the grain.

Vincent: Jam 5:7 - Be patient

Be patient ( μακροθυμήσατε )

From μακρός , long , and θυμός , soul or spirit, but with the sense of strong passion, stronger even than ὀργή , anger, as is maintained by Schmidt (" Synonymik" ), who describes θυμός as a tumultuous welling up of the whole spirit; a mighty emotion which seizes and moves the whole inner man. Hence the restraint implied in μακροθυμία is most correctly expressed by long-suffering, which is its usual rendering in the New Testament. It is a patient holding out under trial; a long-protracted restraint of the soul from yielding to passion, especially the passion of anger. In the New Testament the word and its cognates are sometimes rendered by patient or patience, which conceals the distinction from ὑπομονή , uniformly rendered patience , and signifying persistent endurance, whether in action or suffering. As Trench observes, " ὑπομονή is perseverantia and patientia both in one." Thus Bishop Ellicott: " The brave patience with which the Christian contends against the various hindrances, persecutions, and temptations that befall him in his conflict with the inward and outward world." Ὑπομονή. contains an element of manliness. Thus Plato joins it with the adverb ἀνδρικῶς , in a manly way, and contrasts it with ἀνάνδρως , unmanly, cowardly. Μακροθυμία is exercised toward persons; ὑπομονή , toward things. The former is ascribed to God as an attribute (Luk 18:7; 1Pe 3:20; 2Pe 3:9, 2Pe 3:15), the latter never; for the God of patience (Rom 15:5) is the God who imparts patience to his children. " There can be no resistance to God nor burden upon him, the Almighty, from things. Therefore ὑπομονή cannot find place in him" (Trench). Rev. retains A. V., be patient. The thought links itself naturally with that in the preceding verse: the righteous doth not resist.

Vincent: Jam 5:7 - Therefore

Therefore

Since things are so. Referring to the condition of things described in the previous passage.

Vincent: Jam 5:7 - Brethren

Brethren

In contrast with the rich just addressed.

Vincent: Jam 5:7 - Waiteth

Waiteth ( ἐκδέχεται )

With expectation. Compare Mat 13:30; Mar 4:27.

Vincent: Jam 5:7 - The early and latter rain

The early and latter rain ( ὑετὸν πρώιμον καὶ ὄψιμον )

Both adjectives only here in New Testament. Ὑετὸν , rain, is rejected by all the best texts. The early rain fell in October, November, and December, and extended into January and February. These rains do not come suddenly, but by degrees, so that the farmer can sow his wheat or barley. The rains are mostly from the west or southwest (Luk 12:54), continuing two or three days at a time, and falling mostly in the night. Then the wind shifts to the north or east, and fine weather ensues (Pro 25:23). The latter rains, which are much lighter, fall in March and April. Rain in harvest was regarded as a miracle (1Sa 12:16-18). See Introduction, on James' local allusions.

Wesley: Jam 5:7 - The husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit

Which will recompense his labour and patience.

Wesley: Jam 5:7 - Till he receives the former rain

Immediately after sowing.

Wesley: Jam 5:7 - And the latter

Before the harvest.

JFB: Jam 5:7 - Be patient therefore

As judgment is so near (Jam 5:1, Jam 5:3), ye may well afford to be "patient" after the example of the unresisting Just one (Jam 5:6).

JFB: Jam 5:7 - brethren

Contrasted with the "rich" oppressors, Jam 5:1-6.

JFB: Jam 5:7 - unto the coming of the Lord

Christ, when the trial of your patience shall cease.

JFB: Jam 5:7 - husbandman waiteth for

That is, patiently bears toils and delays through hope of the harvest at last. Its "preciousness" (compare Psa 126:6, "precious seed") will more than compensate for all the past. Compare the same image, Gal 6:3, Gal 6:9.

JFB: Jam 5:7 - hath long patience for it

"over it," in respect to it.

JFB: Jam 5:7 - until he receive

"until it receive" [ALFORD]. Even if English Version be retained, the receiving of the early and latter rains is not to be understood as the object of his hope, but the harvest for which those rains are the necessary preliminary. The early rain fell at sowing time, about November or December; the latter rain, about March or April, to mature the grain for harvest. The latter rain that shall precede the coming spiritual harvest, will probably be another Pentecost-like effusion of the Holy Ghost.

Clarke: Jam 5:7 - Be patient, therefore

Be patient, therefore - Because God is coming to execute judgment on this wicked people, therefore be patient till he comes. He seems here to refer to the coming of the Lord to execute judgment on the Jewish nation, which shortly afterwards took place

Clarke: Jam 5:7 - The husbandman waiteth

The husbandman waiteth - The seed of your deliverance is already sown, and by and by the harvest of your salvation will take place. God’ s counsels will ripen in due time

Clarke: Jam 5:7 - The early and latter rain

The early and latter rain - The rain of seed time; and the rain of ripening before harvest: the first fell in Judea, about the beginning of November, after the seed was sown; and the second towards the end of April, when the ears were filling, and this prepared for a full harvest. Without these two rains, the earth would have been unfruitful. These God had promised: I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thy oil, Deu 11:14. But for these they were not only to wait patiently, but also to pray, Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so shall the Lord make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field; Zec 10:1.

Calvin: Jam 5:7 - Be patient therefore // Behold, the husbandman // The precious fruit // The early and the latter rains

7.Be patient therefore. From this inference it is evident that what has hitherto been said against the rich, pertains to the consolation of those who seemed for a time to be exposed to their wrongs with impunity. For after having mentioned the causes of those calamities which were hanging over the rich, and having stated this among others, that they proudly and cruelly ruled over the poor, he immediately adds, that we who are unjustly oppressed, have this reason to be patient, because God would become the judge. For this is what he means when he says, unto the coming of the Lord, that is, that the confusion of things which is now seen in the world will not be perpetual, because the Lord at his coming will reduce things to order, and that therefore our minds ought to entertain good hope; for it is not without reason that the restoration of all things is promised to us at that day. And though the day of the Lord is everywhere called in the Scriptures a manifestation of his judgment and grace, when he succors his people and chastises the ungodly, yet I prefer to regard the expression here as referring to our final deliverance.

Behold, the husbandman. Paul briefly refers to the same similitude in 2Ti 2:6, when he says that the husbandman ought to labor before he gathers the fruit; but James more fully expresses the idea, for he mentions the daily patience of the husbandman, who, after having committed the seed to the earth, confidently, or at least patiently, waits until the time of harvest comes; nor does he fret because the earth does not immediately yield a ripe fruit. He hence concludes, that we ought not to be immoderately anxious, if we must now labor and sow, until the harvest as it were comes, even the day of the Lord.

The precious fruit. He calls it precious, because it is the nourishment of life and the means of sustaining it. And James intimates, that since the husbandman suffers his life, so precious to him, to lie long deposited in the bosom of the earth, and calmly suspends his desire to gather the fruit, we ought not to be too hasty and fretful, but resignedly to wait for the day of our redemption. It is not necessary to specify particularly the other parts of the comparison.

The early and the latter rains. By the two words, early and latter, two seasons are pointed out; the first follows soon after sowing; and the other when the corn is ripening. So the prophets spoke, when they intended to set forth the time for rain, (Deu 28:12; Joe 2:23; Hos 6:3.) And he has mentioned both times, in order more fully to shew that husbandmen are not disheartened by the slow progress of time, but bear with the delay.

TSK: Jam 5:7 - Be patient // unto // until

Be patient : or, Be long patient, or, Suffer with long patience, Luk 8:15; Rom 2:7, Rom 8:24, Rom 8:25, Rom 15:4; 2Co 6:4, 2Co 6:5; Gal 5:5, Gal 6:9; Col 1:11; 1Th 1:3; Heb 6:15, Heb 12:1-3

unto : Jam 5:8, Jam 5:9; Mat 24:27, Mat 24:44; Luk 18:8, Luk 21:27; 1Co 1:7; 1Th 2:19, 1Th 3:13; 2Pe 3:4

until : Deu 11:14; Jer 5:24; Hos 6:3; Joe 2:23; Zec 10:1

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: Jam 5:7 - Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord // Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth // Until he receive the early and latter rain

Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord viz. to judgment, and that either particular, to avenge the quarrels of innocent sufferers upon their tyrannical persecutors; or rather, to the general judgment, in which a full retribution is to be made both to the just and unjust, Rom 2:5,6 , &c. To which judgment the Scripture calls all to look, especially those that are under oppression and persecution, 2Th 1:6,7 , &c.

Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth which cost him hard labour, and by which he receives great benefit, the sustentation of his life.

Until he receive the early and latter rain the rain soon after the sowing, which caused the corn to spring up; and that before the harvest, which plumped it, and made it fit for reaping, Deu 11:14 Jer 5:24 Hos 6:3 Joe 2:23 .

Haydock: Jam 5:7-11 - Be patient // Behold the judge standeth before the door

Be patient, &c. He now in these five following verses turns his discourse from the rich to the poor, exhorting them to patience till the coming of the Lord to judgment, which draweth near; his coming to judge every one is at his death. Imitate the patience of the husbandman, waiting for fruit after that the earth hath received the timely and early [1] rain soon after the corn is sown, and again more rain, that comes later to fill the grain before it comes to be ripe. This seems to be the sense by the Greek: others expound it, till he receive the early and latter fruits. (Witham) ---

Behold the judge standeth before the door. This expression is synonymous with that in the foregoing verse. "The coming of the Lord is at hand." This way of speaking is not uncommon in Scripture. Thus God said to Cain: "If thou hast done evil, shall not sin forth with be present at the door?" St. James is here speaking of the approaching ruin of Jerusalem, the destruction of the temple, and the dispersion of the Jews by the Romans. (Calmet) ---

Call to mind for your encouragement the trials and constancy[2] of the prophets: the patience of Job, after which God rewarded him with great blessings and property, and you have seen the end of the Lord; that is, what end the Lord was pleased to give to Job's sufferings. But St. Augustine, Ven. Bede, &c. would have these words, the end of the Lord, to be understood of the death of our Lord Jesus Christ, on the cross, for which God exalted him, &c. (Witham)

Haydock: Jam 5:7

[BIBLIOGRAPHY]

Temporaneum et Serotinum. In most Greek manuscripts Greek: ueton proimon kai opsimon, pluviam priorem et posteriorem.

Gill: Jam 5:7 - Be patient therefore, brethren // unto the coming of the Lord // behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth // and hath patience for it until he receive the early and latter rain

Be patient therefore, brethren,.... The apostle here addresses himself to the poor who were oppressed by the rich men, and these he calls "brethren" of whom he was not ashamed; when he does not bestow this title upon the rich, though professors of the same religion: these poor brethren he advises to be patient under their sufferings, to bear them with patience,

unto the coming of the Lord; not to destroy Jerusalem, but either at death, or at the last, judgment; when he will take vengeance on their oppressors, and deliver them from all their troubles, and put them into the possession of that kingdom, and glory, to which they are called; wherefore, in the mean while, he would have them be quiet and easy, not to murmur against God, nor seek to take vengeance on men, but leave it to God, to whom it belongs, who will judge his people:

behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth; ripe fruit, which arises from the seed he sows in the earth; and which may be called "precious", because useful both to man and beast; see Deu 33:14 and between this, and the sowing of the seed, is a considerable time, during which the husbandman waits; and this may be an instruction in the present case:

and hath patience for it until he receive the early and latter rain; the Jews had seldom rains any more than twice a year; the early, or former rain, was shortly after the feast of tabernacles ^u, in the month Marchesvan, or October, when the seed was sown in the earth; and if it did not rain, they prayed for it, on the third or seventh day of the month ^w; and the latter rain was in Nisan, or March ^x, just before harvest; and to this distinction the passage refers.