Tiago 5

Tiago 5

Lenski says it is "strong and decisive!" The only way we can obey this command, is not by gazing at our often miserable, unfair circumstances, but by looking toward the imminent return of the Fairest of the fair, our lovely Lord Jesus, and at the same time relying wholly on the Holy Spirit's supernatural power to enable us to hang on. And they say a picture is worth a thousand words. The picture above is of a bomb with a very long fuse, which is a perfect picture of a Spirit filled and empowered saint, exhibiting a long burn before exploding. This is the essence of the verb makrothumeo (below) which depicts a long holding out of one's mind before giving way to passion or action. Don't try to obey this command by relying on your natural strength. You may be able to "grin and bear it" for a while but eventually your fleshly passion will take over. Lord, please show me every day As you’re teaching me your way That you’ll do just what you say In your time. (Play In His Time) To underscore the need of every saint to depend on the Holy Spirit to manifest a "long fuse" under trials and temptation is the fact that the related noun, makrothumia, is a component of the fruit of the Spirit in Gal 5:22+ - "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness." James uses the noun form below in James 5:10+. Makrothumeo has to do with patience with adverse people, while the similar verb hupomeno has more to do with patience with adverse circumstances and is used in James 5:11+. As Hiebert says "let them exercise hope-inspired endurance while they refrain from unjustly blaming those around them....With steady, unwavering patience endure all the wrongs that men may inflict upon you.” We remember that James suffered martyrdom with such patience. As one brother urges on another, so James urges on his “brethren.” (James Commentary) Related Resource: See discussion of the Need for the Holy Spirit to obey NT commands or "How to Keep All 1642 Commandments in the New Testament!" Be patient (3114)(makrothumeo from makros = long, distant, far off, large + thumos = temper, passion, emotion or thumoomai = to be furious or burn with intense anger; cf makrothumia) literally describes prolonged restraint of thumos, of emotion, anger or agitation. It means one's temper is long (as opposed to "short tempered) and does not give way to a short or quick temper toward those who fail. It describes holding out of the mind for a long time before it gives room to action or passion. The picture of this word is that of a person in whom it takes a long time before fuming and breaking into flames! Trench adds that this word refers to one who has the power to avenge himself and yet refrains from exercising this power. However that is not applicable to this passage in James. There folks do not seem to have the power to avenge themselves, but in context they can be absolutely certain that the Avenger (cf ekdikos) is coming and He will bring about just retribution! Hiebert adds that makrothumeo "does not call for a passive resignation to one's fate but an attitude of self-restraint that enables one to refrain from hasty retaliation in the face of provocation. The cognate noun is commonly rendered "longsuffering," which does not mean to suffer a while but to tolerate someone for a long time." (James Commentary) Slow to anger is a divine attribute (one which we all are eternally grateful for!). The Septuagint repeatedly uses the word makrothumos Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger (makrothumos) , and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; (Ex 34:6) But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, Slow to anger (makrothumos) and abundant in lovingkindness and truth. (Ps 86:15) The LORD is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger (makrothumos) and abounding in lovingkindness. (Ps 103:8) The LORD is gracious and merciful; Slow to anger (makrothumos) and great in lovingkindness. (Ps 145:8) And rend your heart and not your garments.” Now return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger (makrothumos), abounding in lovingkindness And relenting of evil. (Joel 2:13+) God calls us (in essence) to "imitate (present imperative) Him" (Eph 5:1+) and to exercise Spirit enabled (Gal 5:22+) long-suffering (slowness to anger) in the face of provocation and unjust treatment. He who is slow to anger (makrothumos) has great understanding, But he who is quick-tempered exalts folly. (Pr 14:29) A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, But the slow to anger slow to anger (makrothumos) calms a dispute. (Pr 15:18) He who is slow to anger (makrothumos) is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city. (Pr 16:32) He who restrains his words has knowledge, And he who has a cool spirit (makrothumos) is a man of understanding. (Pr 17:27) The idea is to hold out in patience, being content to wait for deliverance by the Deliverer Himself! I love the encouraging song by Rich Mullins entitled "My Deliverer is Coming." Dear oppressed, mistreated child of the living God, listen to the words and let the Spirit revive your soul with the truth of the coming of the Lord! The time is short! Joseph took his wife and her child and they went to Africa To escape the rage of a deadly king There along the banks of the Nile, Jesus listened to the song That the captive children used to sing They were singin' My Deliverer is coming, my Deliverer is standing by My Deliverer is coming, my Deliverer is standing by POSB has a good summary of this last section and how to have victory over trials - If we want victory over the temptations and trials of life, then we must combat them step by step. In particular, there are two steps that we must take. Step 1: Be Patient—Endure—Keep Your Eyes Focused Upon the Return of the Lord (Jas. 5:7–11). Step 2: Take Each Circumstance and Respond Properly (Jas. 5:12–20). (James 5:7–11) Introduction: the temptations and trials of life are terrible foes. If we give in to temptations they can enslave and destroy us before we know it. Temptations can hook us on the world and its possessions and pleasures or else they can destroy our wills, families, friendships, or jobs. The trials of life can unsettle and disrupt our lives, and if we are not on guard, they can crush us through some bad happening or accident, disease or death. How can we overcome temptations and trials—conquer and gain a permanent victory over them? There are two steps. The first step is covered in this passage: be patient—endure—keep your eyes focused upon the Lord’s return. 1. Be patient, for the Lord is going to come again (Jas 5:7). 2. Be as patient as the farmer, for the Lord’s coming is near (Jas 5:7–9). 3. Be as patient as the prophets in suffering, for they believed and spoke in the name of the Lord (Jas 5:10). 4. Be as patient as Job in suffering trials and temptations, for he saw the end of the Lord—that the Lord was full of compassion and mercy (Jas 5:11).(Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible) Until (only uses in James - used twice in Jas 5:7) - See discussion of until which is an expression of time and means something will continue to happen up to a point and then it will not happen because it is terminated by some other event or occurrence. Synonyms of until include till, up to, up till, up to the time. Until in this context is an encouraging word, a word of hope, for it means that an end to the oppression will come when Christ returns at the Second Coming when He will make ALL THINGS RIGHT! Thus James uses this truth as an incentive to encourage them to be patient as they wait for the return of the Lord. The coming of the Lord - The parousia gives us the proper perspective on our present persecutions! The coming of the Lord is our hope, not a "hope so" but a "hope sure" for Christian hope means the absolute assurance of future good, or the absolute assurance that God will do good to us in the future. And so other writers encourage their readers with this great truth. Peter writes "Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope (aorist imperative) completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Pe 1:13+) Paul writes "Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking (present imperative) the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your (present imperative) mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth (INCLUDING OPPRESSION OR MISTREATMENT BY OTHERS). For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory." (Col 3:1-4+) This Lord is the same One referred to earlier as the Jehovah Sabaoth, the LORD of hosts, the Lord of the armies of Heaven. The imminent and certain return of the Lord Jesus has been the hope of every generation of believers since the first century. As Paul says in Titus 2:13+ we are to be continually "looking (with anticipation, expectation) for the Blessed Hope (cf 1 Ti 1:1 = "Christ Jesus...our Hope") and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus." The truth of the Second Coming is mentioned (directly or indirectly) in 1 of every 30 NT passages so clearly the Spirit wants the Second Coming to continually be on the “spiritual radar” of believers! APPLICATION - GOD knows that what we are looking for will (or at least should) impact what we are living for. When was the last time you pondered the truth of the Lord's return? I like to refer to this as having Vertical Vision. The point is that vertical vision will/should impact horizontal living (so to speak). QUOTE - The primitive church thought more about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ than about death or about heaven. The early Christians were looking not for a cleft in the ground called a grave but for a cleavage in the sky called Glory. They were watching not for the undertaker but for the Uppertaker. – Alexander Maclaren ILLUSTRATION - Many years ago I heard a true story about Shepherd’s Home for children with developmental disabilities where they taught that Jesus would save them and one day heal them of all disabilities. The director said that his biggest problem was dirty windows because the disabled children would press their hands, noses and lips against the windows always looking to see if today might be the day that Jesus would return for them and take them home where they will be healed of all their disabilities. Talk about having your priorities in the right place! Oh, to have the heart attitude of these precious little children! Amen! In Revelation 19 John gives us a dramatic description of the Lord of Sabaoth's return which should encourage every saint of every age... And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. 13 He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. (WHO COMPOSES THESE ARMIES? YOU BELOVED! THE SAINTS. AND ALSO LIKELY THE ANGELS.) 15 From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. 16 And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Rev 19:11-16+) Coming (3952) see discussion of parousia below. Lord (2962) see note above on kurios. Kurios is used 12 times in James - Jas. 1:1; Jas. 1:7; Jas. 2:1; Jas. 3:9; Jas. 4:10; Jas. 4:15; Jas. 5:4; Jas. 5:7; Jas. 5:8; Jas. 5:10; Jas. 5:11; Jas. 5:14; Jesus is not only our Kinsman-Redeemer but w also our Blood Avenger. THOUGHT - If you have been oppressed like these believers in James, then this passage should be encouraging and give you assurance that Jesus will right the wrongs that have been committed against you. If you need further encouragement of the certainty of this just divine retribution, take some time and study the incredibly powerful truth about Jesus as our Covenant Defender! Related Resource: What is an avenger of blood in the Bible? The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it - Waits is in the present tense, picturing the farmer continually waiting expectantly for his harvest, even as these tried and tested believers were being encouraged to wait for the Lord's return. So not only should they be encouraged by the fact that Jesus will return, but also by the fact that they will be rewarded for the "fruit" the Spirit has produced through their "good deeds." In his last letter to Timothy Paul encourages his disciple with a similar truth that... The hard-working farmer ought (dei = must) to be the first to receive his share of the crops (karpos = fruits). (2 Ti 2:6+) Adamson notes that "The farmer awaiting the harvest is a familiar Jewish picture of salvation and the Last Judgment. Like the farmer the Christian must be patient and depend on God to consummate his purpose." (NICNT-James) Farmer (1092)(georgos from ge = the earth + ergo = to work) describes one who tills or works the soil or the ground and is here an independent landowner or a tenant farmer rather than a day laborer. A husbandman (one that plows and cultivates land). Waits (1551)(ekdechomai from ek = from + dechomai = receive kindly, accept deliberately and readily; related prosdechomai) means literally to receive or accept from some source. In this passage ekdechomai pictures the farmer remaining in as state of anticipation at the coming produce of his field. In context James is depicting believers eagerly awaiting the coming of Jesus Christ! "The compound verb "waits" (ekdechetai) conveys the thought of looking expectantly for something that comes to us from without; the farmer recognizes that the fruit is not simply the result of his own personal activity but is dependent on forces outside himself that he cannot control. The pious believer recognizes that the spiritual harvest that we anticipate also is dependent on the intervention of God in human affairs." (Hiebert) Hiebert adds that "The anticipated crop, the produce of the soil, is valuable, that is, of great worth, because its production requires hard work, and, in part, the maintenance of physical life depends on it. The value of the harvest justifies his patient waiting." (James Commentary) Being patient about it - This is the same verb used above (see makrothumeo). Hiebert notes that makrothumeo here is "a present participle portraying his constant attitude of expectancy between seedtime and harvest, even when irregularities in the rainfall may create uncertainty." Until - see note on until above. In the context of their suffering oppression by the rich, the idea is that this "dry" season will end and times of refreshing. Peter describes the times of refreshing in Acts 3:19-20+ calling on the Jews 'Therefore repent (aorist imperative) and return (aorist imperative), so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you." Nothing will grow without these rains and a farmer's impatience can do nothing to hurry them! So the farmer is a perfect illustration of how these suffering saints were to remain patient in their afflictions. So just as the farmer had to wait on God's time-table, so too the believers (including us) need to wait on God's time-table! Gregg Allen makes the point that "We need to remember that for everything we actually see God doing, there are a myriad of other things - unseen to us - that He is also doing at the same time. When all the pieces are in place, we will see that all things - indeed - do work for good to those who love Him (Ro 8:28-29+); and that our patience will eventually pay off (2 Thess. 1:3-10)." (The Hope that Makes us Strong - James 5:7-8)