In James 5:10 the author of this epistle holds up the prophets of old as examples of patience during times of suffering. If James was speaking of literal rich land owners and literal laborers of the field, who had been defrauded of their wages, why would he hold up the prophets as examples of patience during seasons of suffering? Where would be the similarity between the two? On the other hand, if the legitimate church leaders had been rejected by the brethren in favor of the arrogant men promising better things (James 3:5; 4:16), so had the prophets been rejected, held up as unpatriotic (cp. 1Kings 18:16-17; 22:7-8), purveyors of gloom and doom etc. (cp. Matthew 5:11-12). Yet, they endured the wrongdoing with patience, commending their way to the Lord who would judge their cause (Hebrews 11:24-27, 36-40; cp. Acts 20:29-32; 2Timothy 1:12)
Presumably, James wrote to the same people to whom Peter penned his epistles (1Peter 1:1; 2Peter 3:1). Since his epistle was in Greek, it could not have been meant for brethren to the east of Jerusalem in Mesopotamia, for then he would have written in Aramaic. Therefore, he must have written to brethren in the Roman Empire, and the language universally understood there would have been Greek. Many of the Jews of the northern ten tribes whose ancestors had gone into captivity migrated to the Roman provinces mentioned in Peter’s first epistle (1Peter 1:1), and this area was of great interest to the Jews in Jerusalem, particularly the Apostles (cp. Matthew 10:5-7). Peter mentions that they were sheep going astray (1Peter 2:25), but they couldn’t have returned to the Shepherd, if they or their ancestors had never left him. Therefore, many believe this area in modern day Turkey is where ancient Israel had wandered after their captivity.
If such is logical and true, these folks would also have had Paul as an example who had patiently endured persecution, for he also preached in those very same Roman provinces. Speaking of himself, he claimed that both he and the other Apostles had been made a “spectacle to the world,” as though their lives were the entertainment of others (1Corinthians 4:9). They were made fools for Christ’s sake, weak and despised by all. Paul, himself, was often hungry, pushed around by other folks and went without the basic necessities of life (1Corinthians 4:10-11). He labored with his own hands for what he needed, and when he was verbally abused he responded with a blessing; when persecuted, he endured it, and when slandered he was friendly. He and those with him were treated as the scum of the earth, and when he went elsewhere, folks thought they were well rid of him (1Corinthians 4:12-13). Yet, even so, he advised those who did believe him, to follow his example (1Corinthians 4:16), because he followed the example of Christ (John 13:15; cp. 1Peter 2:21-23).
Therefore, if James pointed to the prophets as examples to follow (James 5:10, Matthew 5:11-12), and, if the prophets were abused like Paul claimed he was treated (1Corinthians 4:9-16), then it seems to me that James had to have been speaking of persecution going on within the churches, to which he addressed his epistle, They were of the twelve tribes of Israel (James 1:1), the very ones to whom Jesus told his Apostles they should go (Matthew 10:5-7, 23). And, these, beyond doubt, were also of particular interest to the Jewish authorities at Jerusalem, for, after all, they were the natural descendants of Abraham.
Heroes, whether national or of one’s faith, don’t get to be heroes, because their lives were easy. It is because they endured difficult situations in life that we hold them up as persons of high esteem (James 5:11). In this context, James mentions Job, and how he was known for his patient endurance. He was a man who was greatly blessed by the Lord. Although he lived righteously, he had come upon very difficult times where he had come to the point where he was sorry he had survived being born (Job 3:3-13). Yet, he remained faithful to the Lord throughout his difficult ordeal. Although he complained about his sorry state, he clung to the Lord and didn’t discard hoping in him. In the end, Job was blessed twice as much as he was in the beginning, and it is this to which James pointed, that his readers should hope in the Lord, and look for their vindication at his coming (cp. James 5:7-9).
It almost seems out of context that James should tell the believers: “Above all things, swear not…” (James 5:12), which, of course, is a reference to the Lord’s words in Matthew 5:33-37. Why would James tack on this advise after pointing to the prophets that his readers should follow their example? First of all, the Lord wasn’t speaking of swearing formally, as one would do while testifying in a court of law, or in signing a contractual agreement between two or more parties. He was speaking of normal communication. One’s word should be taken seriously, because he should always be truthful and should be known to be so.
The Jews swore often in normal everyday life (Judges 17:2; 21:18; 1Samuel 14:24-28; cp. Matthew 26:73-74; Acts 23:12-14). It was done out of impatience with their then present circumstances. If taken to its ultimate conclusion, the act revealed one’s impatience with God and his silence during those circumstances in the context of not bringing relief. It was a call for him to act, and act now! So, far from being out of context, or of being an exaggerated warning, James was right on target. He was advising his beloved brethren to endure all and not become impatient with the Lord, as he sought to bring out the best in his children, while they endured persecution and other difficulties arising from their present condition.
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