SIL Translator's Notes on James 5:5

5:5

In this verse, James condemned rich people for the way they lived. The past tense verbs “have lived” and “have fattened” describe how the rich people had lived their lives until that time.

5:5a

You have lived…in luxury: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as You have lived…in luxury means that the rich men lived an easy life. They had everything they liked that gave them comfort or great joy without doing any hard work.

Some other ways to translate this verb are:

Your life…was full of rich living (New Century Version)
-or-
you have had a life of comfort (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
You(plur) have had an easy life with lots of money to buy nice things

on earth: The phrase on earth implies a contrast with how these men would live after God’s Day of Judgment.

In some languages, it will be more natural to put this phrase first in 5:5. For example:

While here on earth (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Your life on earth (New Century Version)
-or-
In this world

and self-indulgence: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as self-indulgence is similar in meaning to the verb “lived in luxury.” It means that the rich people did anything they wanted so that they could have as much pleasure as they liked.

Some other ways to translate this verb are:

and pleasure (Good News Translation)
-or-
satisfying your every desire (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
-or-
and pleasing yourselves with everything you wanted (New Century Version)

5:5b

You have fattened your hearts in the day of slaughter: This is a metaphor. Parts of it are implicit. In this metaphor, James compared rich people to animals. Some ways that they are similar are:

(a) Both fatten themselves. The rich people were indulging themselves, not doing any physical work and getting fat. They are just like animals that farmers allow not to work, but to enjoy eating and becoming fat before the farmer slaughters them for food.

(b) By fattening themselves, both are unaware that they are preparing their own doom. For animals, their doom is to be slaughtered. For the rich, their doom is to be punished as part of God’s judgment.

Some ways to translate this metaphor are:

• Change the metaphor to a simile and make the image explicit. For example:

You made yourselves fat, like an animal ready to be killed. (New Century Version)
-or-
you are like fat cattle on their way to be butchered. (Contemporary English Version)

• Change the metaphor to a simile and make explicit the way that they are similar. For example:

You(plur) have made yourselves fat and will be judged/punished like fattened animals that men prepare for the day of slaughter.
-or-
Like animals that are fed well just before they are slaughtered to be eaten, you(plur) live for pleasure and are not aware that you are about to face judgment.

• Translate the meaning without using a metaphor. In this metaphor, “getting fat” is a sign of self-indulgence and not following God’s law to help others. For example:

You(plur) have not followed God’s laws and will be judged.
-or-
You have lived only for your own pleasures, and in that way, you have prepared yourselves for God to judge you. And you are not even aware of it!

your hearts: The phrase “your hearts” is figurative language that refers to the entire person. So many modern English versions translate it as “yourselves.”

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

You(plur) have made yourselves like animals that have been fattened
-or-
But now you are like fat cattle (Contemporary English Version)

in the day of slaughter: The phrase in the day of slaughter means “prepared for the day to be killed.” This phrase refers to the day that the farmer will kill the fattened animals for food. In this metaphor, this phrase is parallel to the day that God will judge the rich.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

in the day when men slaughter the animals
-or-
prepared for a day to be killed
-or-
and in this way you(plur) have prepared yourselves for God’s judgment

© 2012 by SIL International®

Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

SIL Translator's Notes on James 5:6

5:6a

You have condemned and murdered the righteous: James accused the rich men of misusing their power in the law courts. Rich men were leaders among the people. They had friends who were judges. They used their power to oppress ordinary people even as far as having them condemned to death.

You have condemned: The word condemned means “declare/judge to be guilty (because he has done something wrong).” It can also imply “decide the punishment.” The rich men asked judges to do these things.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

You have judged guilty (New Century Version)
-or-
You(plur) have caused innocent men to be declared guilty
-or-
You have made judges declare that innocent men have broken the law

murdered: The word murdered means “caused them to be killed.” This word refers to influencing a judge to condemn a person to die and then have him executed.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

punished by death
-or-
executed/killed

the righteous: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the righteous literally says “the righteous person.” Most commentators agree that this does not refer here to one individual person, but to righteous people in general who obey the laws.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

those who are not guilty
-or-
those who keep/follow God’s laws
-or-
people who do what is right/just
-or-
people who have done nothing wrong

5:6b

who did not resist you: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as who did not resist you is literally “and he does not resist you.” James meant that the righteous people did not oppose the rich men while the rich men persecuted them. At no point did they attempt to resist or fight back.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

who do not resist you (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
-or-
They did not fight back.

resist: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as resist occurs also in 4:6 (“opposes”). It means actively resisting, not just a feeling of hatred.

© 2012 by SIL International®

Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

SIL Translator's Notes on James 5:7

Section 5:7–12

Suffering believers should be patient and persevere in their faith

In this section, James explained how Christian people should respond when ungodly rich people oppress them. Christians should not resist but should be patient, waiting for the Lord to come and bring justice (5:7–8). The theme of patience in the midst of suffering is related to the opening theme of the letter (1:2–4). As well as being patient in suffering, Christians should be patient with one another (5:9). They should follow the example of the prophets of God (5:10–11). They should avoid swearing with oaths (5:12).

Commentators disagree over which section the paragraph 5:12 belongs to. Many (Huther, page 215, 217; Mitton, page 191; Davids (1982); Moo (1985), page 173.) of them say that it does not belong to this section (5:7–12) more than the next one (5:13–18), and prefer to set it off as separate from both. A few (Laws, page 219; Martin, page 199; see also Ropes, page 300, for a similar view.) of them put it with 5:13–18 because it shares the same topic of referring to God when speaking. A few others (Alford, page 325; Adamson (1976), page 194; Hiebert, page 308.) (see also the New International Version (2011 Revision)) put it with 5:7–11, because it is similar to 5:9. On the whole it seems best to put 5:12 with this section, but to make it a separate paragraph.

Some other possible headings for this section are:

Believers should be patient when they suffer
-or-
Be patient; the Lord is coming (UBS Handbook)

Paragraph 5:7–9

In this paragraph, James recommended that Christians be patient even though they were suffering. He supported this by illustrating patience from ordinary life and then applying the illustration to spiritual life.

5:7a

Be patient: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Be patient means “be long-suffering.” James was encouraging believers to remain quiet, calm, and hopeful when they were persecuted. They could be certain that God would treat them correctly and fairly in the end.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

Endure suffering without complaint
-or-
Wait for God to make things right

Many languages have an idiom for this word.

then: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as then introduces some strong advice to be patient. God is going to judge the rich for their unloving actions (5:1–6), and therefore, you should be patient until he does it (5:7–12).

Some other ways to translate this word are:

therefore (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
So (NET Bible)
-or-
For this reason

brothers: Notice that the Berean Standard Bible places the word brothers at the end of 5:7a. This follows the Greek word order. In some languages, it is more natural to place this word at a different place in the verse. For example:

Brothers, be patient
-or-
Therefore, brothers, be patient
-or-
Therefore be patient until the coming of the Lord, brothers.

5:7b

until the Lord’s coming: The phrase the Lord’s coming refers to the time when the Lord Jesus Christ will come again to the world in power and glory to judge human beings. (See, for example, Matthew 24:3, 1 Thessalonians 2:19, 4:15, 2 Peter 1:16.)

In some languages it may be more natural to translate the word coming with a verb. For example:

until the Lord comes (Revised English Bible)
-or-
until the Lord returns (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
until the Lord comes again (New Century Version)
-or-
for the Lord Jesus to come back to earth

Lord’s: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Lord’s means someone who has authority over someone or something. Here it refers to Jesus, who is God and has supreme authority.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

Master
-or-
Owner
-or-
our supreme Chief/Leader
-or-
Lord Jesus

5:7c

See: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as See here means “Consider” or “Think about.” It introduces an illustration that supports his appeal for them to be patient. It does not mean to do something with one’s eyes.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

Think of how (NET Bible)
-or-
Consider

This same word occurs in 3:4a.

the farmer: The phrase the farmer refers to any ordinary farmer. It is someone who used land to grow food. In some languages it may be natural to translate this in the plural. For example:

farmers (Good News Translation)

5:7d

awaits the precious fruit of the soil: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as precious fruit refers to all the fruits, vegetables, or grain that grow in the land/field.

The harvest is precious to the farmer because at that time of year he has little or no food left from the previous year. He needs a good/bountiful harvest to have enough food to last during the coming year. It is also valuable when there is an extra portion of the harvest that the farmer can sell or trade for other things that his family needs.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

wait for their land to produce precious crops (Good News Translation)
-or-
They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
-or-
waits for a good/bountiful harvest

soil: The word soil refers to the field or plot of land in which the farmer has planted his crops. Some other ways to translate this are:

field
-or-
plot of ground
-or-
farm

In some languages, it is not necessary to translate this word. It is understood that the harvest comes from the land.

5:7e

how patient he is: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as patient is the same word as in 5:7a. In this context, the farmer waits quietly and does not get angry, even though he may be suffering from hunger and does not know if the rain will come at the right time.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

He patiently waits
-or-
He endures without complaint

5:7f

for the fall and spring rains: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for the fall and spring rains is literally “until it receives the early and the late rain” (as in the Revised Standard Version). Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

until the early and late rains have fallen (Revised English Bible)
-or-
for the first and last rains to fall
-or-
for the rains to fall to make his crops grow

In Israel, there are two periods when rain is very important for getting a good harvest. The rains during these times are called the “early rain” and the “late rain.” The “early rain” is expected in October, but it is sometimes very delayed. This period of rain is necessary so that the ground may become soft enough for planting seed, and so that the seeds then sprout. The “late rain” refers to showers in April and early May that help to ripen the crops. If these rains do not come, the harvest will be small.

General Comment on 5:7c–f

In some languages, it may be more natural to first talk about rains before mentioning the crop. For example:

cThink of farmers who wait epatiently ffor the spring and summer rains dto make their valuable crops grow. (Contemporary English Version)

© 2012 by SIL International®

Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

SIL Translator's Notes on James 5:8

5:8a

You, too: The phrase You, too indicates that Christians should behave like the farmer. James was applying the illustration to spiritual life.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

You(plur) should act in the same way
-or-
You should do the same

be patient: The verb be patient is the same word as in 5:7a and 5:7e.

5:8b

strengthen your hearts: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as strengthen your hearts can also be translated as “Establish your hearts” (as in the Revised Standard Version). This is a Greek idiom. James was saying that Christians should remain confident in the midst of their difficult circumstances.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

Do not give up hope (New Century Version)
-or-
continue(plur) confident
-or-
be courageous

Many languages have another idiom to translate this phrase. Use whatever has this meaning and is natural in your language.

5:8c

because: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as because introduces the basis for James’ appeal to stand firm. They should stand firm because the Lord’s coming is near.

the Lord’s coming is near: The clause the Lord’s coming is near indicates that Jesus Christ will soon return. This fact should motivate James’ readers to be patient and courageous and not lose hope.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

the Lord is coming soon (New Century Version)
-or-
The Lord will soon be here! (Contemporary English Version)

The phrase the Lord’s coming also occurs in 5:7b.

© 2012 by SIL International®

Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

SIL Translator's Notes on James 5:9

5:9a

Do not complain about one another: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as complain refers to being discontented with others and blaming them for problems. Blaming others is a way of judging them. It is accusing them of doing something wrong. So this “grumbling” leads to the consequent action mentioned in 5:9b. (See 4:11 and Matthew 7:1.)

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

Don’t grumble against each other (New International Version (2011 Revision))
-or-
Do(plur) not talk against your fellow believers or accuse them

one another: The phrase one another refers to other Christians. Christians should not grumble against one another. See examples above for ways to translate this.

brothers: Notice that the Berean Standard Bible places the word brothers at the end of 5:9a. In some languages, it is more natural to place it at the beginning of the verse. For example:

Brothers and sisters, do not complain against each other (New Century Version)

The word brothers last occurred in 5:7a.

5:9b

so that you will not be judged: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as so that you will not be judged indicates the basis for what James wrote in 5:9a. It indicates that James’ readers will be judged if they continue grumbling about one another.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

or you will be judged guilty (New Century Version)
-or-
if you(plur) do, you will be condemned

will not be judged: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as will not be judged here describes part of the process of judging. It is the part when a judge decides and declares that a person is guilty/wrong. Connected with this decision and pronouncement is the idea that the person will be punished. Here James was saying that the Lord will declare guilty the person who grumbles about another Christian brother.

Some other ways to translate this are:

will not be condemned
-or-
will not be declared/pronounced to be wrong
-or-
will not be guilty of sin

God’s judgment here does not refer to eternal condemnation and punishment in hell. The word judged also occurs with a similar meaning in 2:12a and 2:13a.

James did not say who would do the judging. There are two possibilities:

(1) It is the Lord Jesus Christ.

(2) It is God the Father. For example:

so that God will not judge you (Good News Translation)

It is preferable that you do not distinguish between God the Father and Jesus here. So if you must say who will judge, it is recommended that you say “the Lord.” In 5:8, James said that the Lord would soon come, and in 5:9c he said that the Judge is standing at the door. It is likely that he was thinking about the same event. (In 4:12 James said that there was only one Judge, God, the Lawgiver. But most commentators think that here James is thinking of Christ, who is soon to come back (see Martin, page 192; Hiebert, page 301; SSA, page 146; cf. Ropes, page 297; Laws, page 213).)

5:9c

Look: In Greek, this sentence begins with a word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Look and the Revised Standard Version translates as “behold”. This word calls attention to something surprising. The New International Version (2011 Revision) uses an exclamation mark at the end of the sentence to show this surprise.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

Do not be surprised!
-or-
Listen to this!

You should use whatever expression is natural in your language for showing surprise. This same word occurs in 5:4a–b.

the Judge: Commentators disagree as to whether the Judge refers to the Lord Jesus Christ or to God the Father. If you have made explicit who will judge in 5:9b, you will need to make sure that this refers to the same person.

If you need to make it clear that James is not referring to a human judge it is recommended that you say “the Lord.” For example:

the Lord, the one who will judge all people

standing at the door: This is a Greek idiom. It means “nearly here” (as in Matthew 24:33). There are at least two ways to translate this idiom:

• Keep the idiom. For example:

stands before the gates! (NET Bible)
-or-
right outside the door (Contemporary English Version)

• Translate the meaning. For example:

ready to appear. (Good News Translation)
-or-
ready to come! (New Century Version)

© 2012 by SIL International®

Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

SIL Translator's Notes on James 5:10

Paragraph 5:10–11

James knew that some of his readers were suffering badly. He encouraged them to be patient like the prophets were. This is the second example of patience.

5:10a

Brothers: The word Brothers also occurs in 5:7a and 5:9a.

5:10b

as an example of patience in affliction, take the prophets: James told his readers to remember the prophets of Old Testament days who endured suffering and were patient. His readers should follow the examples of these men. In other words, they should imitate their behavior.

Some other ways to translate this are:

let us imitate the prophets. They were patient when they suffered.
-or-
follow the example of the prophets…. They suffered many hard things, but they were patient. (New Century Version)
-or-
The prophets who patiently endured suffering long ago are a good example for you(plur) to follow.

patience in affliction: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as patience in affliction is literally “suffering and patience” (as in the Revised Standard Version). Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

They were patient, even when they had to suffer. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
They suffered many hard things, but they were patient. (New Century Version)

patience: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as patience is related to the verb “be patient” in 5:7a,e and 5:8a. Use a word or expression that corresponds to what you used in those verses.

affliction: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as affliction here refers to suffering physical pain caused by others treating them badly. Some other ways to translate this word are:

hardship
-or-
persecution

take the prophets: The phrase take the prophets here means “think about the prophets” or “remember the prophets.” For example:

remember the prophets…. Take them as examples (Good News Translation)
-or-
follow the example of the prophets (New Century Version)

prophets: The word prophets refers to men who spoke on behalf of God. They told people what God revealed to them. God gave some prophets power to work miracles. These miracles helped people realize that God had sent the prophet.

Many prophets were persecuted and even killed, but they remained faithful to God despite their suffering.

Some ways to translate prophets are:

spokesmen for God
-or-
men who speak God’s words
-or-
God’s message-speakers

It is good to use a general term that does not focus only on foretelling the future. Although prophets did foretell the future, they also gave people other messages from God. They especially told them to stop sinning and to obey God.

When choosing a term for prophet, consider how you will distinguish prophet from other words which are similar in meaning such as “angel,” “apostle,” and “preacher.”

5:10c

who spoke in the name of the Lord: The phrase who spoke in the name of the Lord indicates that the prophets spoke with the Lord’s authority. They represented God. James was probably implying that this was the reason for the prophets’ suffering.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

who spoke in the name of the Lord (God’s Word)
-or-
who spoke what God made known to them
-or-
who spoke on behalf of the Lord
-or-
who spoke by the authority of the Lord

the Lord: Here the Lord refers to God, the one with supreme authority. Another way to translate this word is:

the Lord God

This word also occurs in 3:9a.

General Comment on 5:10a–c

In some languages, it may be helpful to change the order of the clauses in this verse. For example:

10aBrothers, 10bthink about the prophets. 10cThey spoke in the name of the Lord, 10band they were patient when they suffered because of it.
-or-
10aMy fellow believers! 10bRemember the prophets 10cwho brought the Word of the Lord. 10bThey were patient and withstood suffering. We should follow their example.

© 2012 by SIL International®

Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

SIL Translator's Notes on James 5:11

5:11a

See: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as See is literally “behold.” This word calls for the readers to pay attention, and it encourages them to think carefully about something.

In some languages, it is more natural to leave this idea implicit. Many English versions do not translate this word.

5:11b

how blessed we consider those who have persevered: Scholars differ as to whom James was talking about:

(1) He was referring to all people who have been steadfast in their faith. (Huther, page 213; Ropes, page 298; Davids (1982), page 186; Hiebert, page 303; Martin, page 193.) For example, the New Living Translation (2004 Revision) says:

We give great honor to those who endure under suffering.

(New International Version (2011 Revision), Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version, Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation (2004 Revision), God’s Word, NET Bible, King James Version)

(2) He was referring only to the prophets in 5:10b. The Good News Translation seems to follow this interpretation, saying:

We call them happy because they endured.

(Good News Translation, New Century Version)

James was probably repeating a well-known thought that applied to other people as well as prophets. (A similar thought occurs in 1:12.) For this reason, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

how blessed we consider: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as we consider blessed is related to the word in 1:12a that the Berean Standard Bible there translates as blessed. It means that the person is in a good position or is in an enviable/desirable situation.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

Favored/fortunate are
-or-
How good it is for

See also the note on 1:12a.

those who have persevered: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as have persevered also means “have endured.” This refers to people who continued to obey God throughout their lives, despite the fact that their faith was greatly tested.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

those who have endured (NET Bible)
-or-
did not give up (New Century Version)

This word comes from the same Greek verb as “perseveres” in 1:12a.

5:11c

James turned to a specific example of someone who persevered: Job. This example was well-known to James’ readers from the Old Testament and from Jewish tradition. Job continued to trust God even when he had lost his wealth, his family and his health.

You have heard of Job’s perseverance: The Greek noun that the Berean Standard Bible translates as perseverance also means “endurance.” It refers to remaining loyal and steadfast.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

You have heard about Job’s endurance. (God’s Word)
-or-
Job is an example of a man who endured patiently. (New Living Translation, 1996 edition)
-or-
You(plur) know about Job. He did not give up when he suffered

This noun also occurs in 1:3c, and it is related to the verb “have persevered” in 5:11a.

You: In some languages, it may be more natural to continue using the pronoun “We” as in 5:11b.

5:11d

and have seen: The clause have seen means “(you) have understood” by hearing or reading the story. Some other ways to translate this clause are:

and you know (Good News Translation)
-or-
and you(plur) have heard

the outcome from the Lord: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the outcome from the Lord is literally “the end of the Lord.” There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that is literally “end”:

(1) It means the conclusion, the final outcome, what happened in the end. According to this interpretation, the whole phrase means “the outcome that the Lord gave.” For example, the Good News Translation says:

how the Lord provided for him in the end

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version (2011 Revision), Good News Translation, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible, God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004 Revision), Contemporary English Version)

(2) It means the purpose, the goal that was in view. For example, the English Standard Version says:

the purpose of the Lord

(Revised Standard Version, NET Bible, New Century Version, New Jerusalem Bible, English Standard Version)

In 5:7 James not only urged Christians to be patient in the midst of suffering, but he also promised a happy ending (“the coming of the Lord”). Similarly, the farmer’s crop receives the rain in the end. So also here it is probable that James was referring not only to the fact that Job was steadfast in his faith, but to the way the Lord blessed him in the end. God finally restored Job’s family, wealth, and health (see Job 42:10–17). So it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

and how the Lord finally helped him. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
the Lord’s plan finally ended in good (New Living Translation, 1996 edition)

the Lord: Here the Lord refers to God, the one with supreme authority. This word also occurs in 5:10c.

5:11e

A Greek conjunction connects 5:11d to 5:11e. There are two ways to interpret this word:

(1) It means that or how and introduces something else that James’ readers had understood. For example, the New Jerusalem Bible says:

realising that the Lord is kind…

(King James Version, New American Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, NET Bible, New Century Version)

(2) It means because or for and introduces a reason for how God treated Job. For example, the Good News Translation says:

For the Lord is full of mercy…

(Good News Translation, Revised English Bible, God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004 Revision), Contemporary English Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). What happened to Job showed James’ readers that the Lord was gracious. The Berean Standard Bible does not explicitly translate this word, but it is probably following the first interpretation.

The Lord is full of compassion and mercy: The clause The Lord is full of compassion and mercy means that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. Some other ways to translate this clause are:

the Lord is compassionate and merciful (God’s Word)
-or-
The Lord has much compassion and mercy

compassion and mercy: The words compassion and mercy are a doublet. This means that they have almost the same meaning.

The word compassion means “kind-hearted,” or “having much pity on people.” The word mercy means “compassionate” or “showing kindness towards people who suffer or who are in need.” (The word mercy also occurs in 2:13 and 3:17.)

Some other ways to translate these words are:

loving and kind
-or-
tenderness and pity

In some languages, it may be more natural to use a single expression that is intensified or emphasized. For example:

The Lord greatly pities his suffering people and helps them

© 2012 by SIL International®

Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

SIL Translator's Notes on James 5:12

Paragraph 5:12

The Jews used oaths frequently, especially when they had strong feelings. They swore oaths when they made promises or threats, or when they wanted to strengthen the statement they were making. Some examples from the Bible are: 1 Samuel 1:26, 20:3, 20:12; 1 Kings 17:1; Matthew 14:7, 26:72. James here taught that Christian people should avoid oaths.

5:12a

Above all: The phrase Above all here means “most of all,” or “most important of all.” James was probably ranking the avoidance of swearing oaths as even more important than avoiding other sins of the tongue such as grumbling. (See Mayor, page 161; Ropes, page 300; Adamson (1976), page 194. Huther, page 215, thinks the comparison is with all the other warnings of the epistle. Other commentators think that James meant, “What I am going to say now is extremely important,” and that he was not comparing the importance of this topic with the importance of what he had said before. See Davids (1982), page 189; Mitton, page 191; Hiebert, page 308; Laws, pages 219–220; Martin, page 203.)

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

But most of all (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
-or-
It is of the highest importance (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
Most importantly

my brothers: Notice that the Berean Standard Bible places the phrase my brothers at the end of 5:12a. This follows the word order of the Greek text. In some languages, it is more natural to place it at the beginning. For example:

My friends, if any of you wander away from the truth… (Good News Translation)

In some languages, it is not natural to repeat my brothers so often. Read 5:7–12 to see if it would be more natural to omit one or more of the phrases my brothers.

5:12b

do not swear: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as swear refers to calling upon God or some other being or object to be a witness that what you are saying is true. It is implied that God will punish you if what you are saying is not true. James said that his readers should stop swearing or using oaths.

Another way to translate this word is:

do not use an oath (Good News Translation)

Be sure to distinguish the word “swear” from the words “curse” and “bad words/language.”

If there is no expression that refers to this word in your language, you may need to explain what James means. For example:

do not call on God to punish you if you are lying

5:12c

not by heaven or earth: The phrase by heaven or earth means “calling on heaven or earth as a witness that you are telling the truth.” These are examples of the common oaths that the Jews used in the days when James wrote. In this context, heaven means the place where God lives, and earth means this world where human beings live.

In some languages, it will be natural to translate this phrase as a separate sentence. For example:

Don’t use the name of heaven, earth…to prove what you say (New Century Version)
-or-
Do not swear by using anything in heaven or on earth to support your words

5:12d

or by any other oath: The phrase or by any other oath means “do not swear by using anything else as a witness that you are telling the truth.”

5:12e

Simply let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no: This clause implies that when you talk:

(a) You should not add any oaths to your words. A simple “yes” or “no” is sufficient.

(b) You should always be honest and tell the truth. You should not lie.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

“Yes” or “No” is all you need to say. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
If you mean yes, say yes. If you mean no, say no. (God’s Word)
-or-
Speak the truth without an oath. Say only “yes” when you mean “yes” and say only “no” when you mean “no.”

5:12f

so that you will not fall under judgment: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as so that you will not fall under judgment indicates the basis for what James wrote in 5:12a–d.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

otherwise, you(plur) will be condemned
-or-
If you say anything more, you will be condemned. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
and then you will not come under God’s judgment (Good News Translation)

In other words, if you follow James’ advice, God will not condemn you on the Day of Judgment. This is because a person who is in the habit of swearing oaths will sooner or later break his promise or tell a lie. So he will be guilty of using God’s name in an unacceptable way.

fall under judgment: The Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as fall under judgment mean “be declared/judged guilty” of having done something wrong. This also includes the idea that the person will be punished for doing wrong. But “judgment” here does not refer to eternal condemnation and punishment in hell.

Some other ways to translate this are:

be judged guilty (New Century Version)
-or-
be pronounced/declared guilty of sin

© 2012 by SIL International®

Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.