v1-6: The corrupting power of riches. Riches are not evil, nor the root of all evil, but they are deceitful, 1 Tim 6.9-10. Consequently men use evil means to gain more; material wealth becomes valued more than spiritual health.

v1: Judgment on its way; therefore repent. James implies strongly that many maintained wrong attitudes, perhaps they used deceitful means to gain wealth for themselves.

v2-3: Riches gained by corruption; expensive garments are moth-eaten; silver and gold are corroded; physical suffering in the flesh. Such riches have no lasting value; and worse, they bring judgment. James follows the Lord in declaring the folly of heaping up treasures on earth, Matt 6.19-21.

v4: The Lord of hosts (Saboath) Is 1.9; Rom 9.29; the Lord of all authority, being omniscient. He sees the injustice perpetrated by evil rich men. They will be judged for their wickedness.

v5: Their gain had fattened them for slaughter.

v6: The just man does not resist the cruel. The cruel rich man is warned by the testimony of the poor.

v7-8: Awaiting the coming of the lord;

• a vital motivation;
• need for patience in our service;
• looking for spiritual fruit;
• a reward for the faithful.

The Christian must therefore work hard and wait patiently. The return of the Lord does not make us fearful, but inspires us to service for Christ.

v9: Changing the illustration; but still the motivation of Christ's return. The Judge will test our faithfulness and our attitudes. He is standing at the door, 1 Pet 4.17-18. We must always be ready, Gen 4.5-8, for we are accountable to Him. There is no time for grumbling against each other.

v10-11: The example of others, of the prophets and Job; we must learn from them.

Recognise that personal suffering may be part of the Lord's purpose for our lives; this will ultimately reveal His compassion and mercy. Those who endure are rightly respected; and we must follow their example.

v12: "Above all," James draws his readers' attention to a specific issue; perhaps a problem that had crept into the Jewish churches. Don't use oaths; let your word be enough. (Matt 5.35)

v13: "Among you;" a reference to a godly community of Christians, caring for each other. Within that community are Elders, who lead, and act with authority.

Times of suffering and cheerfulness; both are times when we may forget the Lord (Prov 30.7-9). This is why we must make the decision to pray, or sing psalms, depending on our circumstances. The command to do one does not prohibit the other. These are godly ways of responding to the circumstances of life. Singing is a God-given way of expressing joy - we must do this.

v14-15: Specific problem of sickness. Here sickness is linked with sins, see John 9.2-3; 1 Cor 11.30, although this is not always the case. There is a need for spiritual wisdom and discernment, which is why the elders are involved. The burden is first to save the sick, by confessing sins, and then to look to the Lord to raise him up. It is clear here that the healing is from the Lord Himself. Neither the elders themselves, nor the oil, has that power.

v16: Healing through personal confession and prayer, recognising the situation when sickness has to do with a specific unconfessed sin. The righteous man's prayers will be heard. Those who cherish sins will find their prayer unanswered, Ps 66.18.

v17-18: Powerful prayers are not just the province of prophets; we can all pray like that. Elijah prayed what God had spoken; therefore the answer was specific and dramatic. Inspiration comes from the example of one like us, not one unlike us.

v19-20: A closing comment. The danger of wandering, taking us away from the truth. We need discernment to identify such as these, and be full of wisdom and grace to deal with them. We seek to turn others from wrong ways, rather than judge them, Gal 6.1. The way of Christ is the way of love, not judgment. We do not condemn those who wander from the truth, but we seek to restore them.