SERMON: “Patience Amid Suffering” (James 5:7–11)
“Patience
Amid Suffering” (James 5:7–11)
Series: “James: True Faith Works” #23 Text: James 5:7–11
By: Shaun Marksbury Date:
April
6, 2025
Venue: Living
Water Baptist Church Occasion:
PM Service
I.
Introduction
The Christian life is not a sprint; it’s a marathon, often
run through seasons of suffering, injustice, and delay. Tonight, we turn our hearts to a passage that
speaks directly to the trials we face in this fallen world. James, the brother of our Lord, writes to
encourage us, though.
Believers can be patient amid suffering, as James has
highlighted in the previous chapters. James
has also confronted the misuse of wealth and the oppression of the poor,
showing that the Lord sees injustice against His saints (cf. James 5:1–6). Now, James returns his focus to the afflicted
believers, urging them to endure with patience and faith. God is faithful, His return is certain, and
His blessings await those who endure.
Yet, why and how should we be patient when we are in the
midst of suffering? We’ll note four to be
patient in this passage. We’ll see first
that we are to be patient because God has commanded it (v. 7a). Second, we will see that we can strengthen
our hearts because of the Lord’s return (vv. 7b–8). Third, we will see that we can cease
complaining because the Judge is near (v. 9).
Finally, we will see we can endure trials because of the blessings of
God (vv. 10–11). When we obey the
commands of this passage, we will find that we have the ability to endure with
patience, so let’s begin with the first point.
II.
First, Be Patient Because God has Commanded It
(v. 7a)
Therefore be
patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord.
James begins with a command: “Be patient.” Let’s start by considering what that
means. The Greek term, makrothumēsate,
a compound of makros (long) and thumos (temper),
means to have a “long temper.”[1] As one
commentary explains it, “Catch your wind for a long race (long-tempered as
opposed to short-tempered).”[2] This is a command to endure patiently
with people.
That’s important. As
the MacArthur Study Bible notes, “The word emphasizes patience with people (cf.
1 Thess. 5:14), not trials or circumstances (as in 1:3). Specifically, James has in mind patience with
the oppressive rich.”[3] Thus, this isn’t just about meeting
annoyances with patience, but meeting difficult (and sometimes, even dangerous
people) and yet, maintaining a long temper with them.
This is a difficult command, but it is one specifically for
“brothers” or believers here. We know
the patience, the long-suffering that the Lord has shown unto us, so we can
show it to others. The grace of the Holy
Spirits that has worked in our hearts can work through our hearts toward
others, as well. In fact, some of us
became Christians because we witnessed this in others. This isn’t a command that unbelievers would
be able to keep, but they may come to see something in the faith through our
patience.
We also need to consider another aspect of this, the fact
that this is trust in the Lord. God has
promised us justice (Luke 18:7–8), and He commands us to trust His timeline. As Romans 12:19 says, “Never take your own
revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written,
‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.” Since God will deal with the wicked, we don’t
need to take matters into our own hands. Instead, we’re called to wait on Him.
That is why James turns to “the coming of the Lord”
here. We might think of the rapture, and
this does motivate us to endure; as one commentary notes, “The Christian hope,
then, is the coming of Christ when all the wrongs suffered will be set right.”[4] This is a reference, though, ultimately to
Christ’s second coming.[5] With His second coming, He will set all things
right.
Now, we might wonder when that will be. Yet, it’s not about how long we wait; we are
commanded to wait for Him who is coming.
He is more faithful than we are, so we should know He’s in control and
will return at the right time.
That requires us to do a little heart work, and that brings
us to the next point:
III.
Second, Strengthen Your Hearts Because of the
Lord’s Return (vv. 7b–8)
The farmer waits
for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the
early and late rains. You too be
patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.
James now illustrates the principle of patience, using the
farmer. He begins with a word
untranslated in the NASB, but present in the LSB: “Behold.” He wants the reader to look at how long the farmer
sometimes waits.
He begins by noting that the farmer plants his seed and
waits. Back in 5:4, he talked about the
hired laborers who work for farmers, so some had intimate knowledge of this
process. Of course, the farm owner can
be unjust, but he can also be righteous, so there’s no need to despise someone
for having means. In fact, this
illustrates just how razor thin the margins on the farm can sometimes be.
The farmer must await the “precious produce of the soil,” or
its “fruit” (LSB). Consider how “precious”
it is: “The small farmer plants his carefully saved seed and hopes for a
harvest, living on short rations and suffering hunger during the last weeks. The whole livelihood, indeed the life itself,
of the family depends on a good harvest: the loss of the farm, semistarvation,
or death could result from a bad year.”[6] Yet, he must be patient (same word as before),
waiting through months of uncertainty, while the early rains (October–November)
germinate the seed and the late rains (March–April) ripen the crop. He must patiently trust the seasons God has
ordained (cf. Deut. 11:14; Jer 5:24; Joel 2:23).
So it is with us. In
v. 8, James urges (rendered in good, Southern English), “Y’all too be patient.”
He repeats the command to the entire
Christian community. We must also wait
on the Lord, but this isn’t a passive process.
He tells us what we need to add to our patience by giving
another command. He writes, “Strengthen
your hearts.” This means establish (ESV)
our hearts, to make them stable.[7] In 1 Thessalonians 3:13, we see that the Lord
strengthens our hearts, but here, we are also told to do it ourselves.
How can we strengthen our hearts? This doesn’t come from wishing and wanting,
but by changing our thinking. Remember
that, in Scripture, the heart isn’t the seat of the emotions, but shorthand for
the entirety of the inner life — it is where we form our thoughts and
desires. Instead of focusing in our
hearts on how bad things are, or on some sinful plot for revenge, we should
instead fix our hope on the Lord’s return.
The text says, “for the coming of the Lord is near.” This means that it has drawn near and remains
so. Jesus taught this urgency in Matthew
24:33: “So, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near,
right at the door.” Our salvation is
near (Rom. 13:11–12), as is the end of all things (1 Pet. 4:7). The Lord is coming; He is at the door.
First-century believers lived with this expectancy, and so
should we. The rapture could happen at
any moment, followed by Christ’s return to judge and reign. It’s not about predicting dates — Jesus said
no one knows the day or hour (Matt. 24:36) — but about living ready. Like the farmer, we wait with purpose,
strengthening our hearts by trusting God’s promise. Are you weary? Look to the harvest — Christ is coming!
Yet, this can also be bad news for the Christian living in
sin. The thought of the Lord returning
can fill some believers with dread. That
may be because of what comes next.
IV.
Third, Cease Complaining Because the Judge is Near
(v. 9)
Do not complain,
brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged;
behold, the Judge is standing right at the door.
Some of us might be tempted to think something like, “Well,
I might have to wait, but I don’t have to like it!” Perhaps we wouldn’t admit that, even to
ourselves. Yet, we carry bad attitudes
with us wherever we go, even into the church.
This form of impatience comes out in how we treat other
Christians. James warns with another
command here, “Do not complain.” This
literally means “do not groan” or “grumble.” The fact that he says both “brothers” and
“against one another” here indicates that this was a problem in the
church. Apparently, some believers,
strained by suffering, were turning on each other, engaging in the gossip,
slander, and fighting we considered previously.
Yet that must stop, so that “you yourselves may not be
judged.” This is a fearful thing for a
Christian to hear. It may make you
wonder if salvation is secure, and of course, it is. This potential judgment from God is not
eternal condemnation, but a disciplinary consequence for our words (cf. Matt.
7:1–2). Even though we don’t face hell,
we still face a Father who will render judgment between two of His fighting
children, and James warns that “the Judge is standing right at the door!”
Grumbling fractures the unity Christ died to create. This echoes what he said back in James 4:11: “Do not speak against one another,
brethren. He who speaks against a
brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law; but
if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it.”
This is about harming others with our words, whether they were
carelessly or maliciously spoken. Well, God
isn’t a distant observer; He’s near, ready to evaluate our works (1 Cor. 4:5).
Grumbling also reflects a lack of trust in God’s justice. If we believe the Judge is at the door, we’ll
hold our peace, knowing He’ll settle every score. Philippians 2:14 echoes this: “Do all things
without grumbling or disputing.” If the
kids grow quiet as they hear dad’s footsteps coming up the stairs, then how
much more should we, knowing the Judge is coming? Let’s cease complaining and live in unity.
We can do so with His grace, bringing us to the final point:
V.
Fourth, Endure Trials Because of the Blessings
of God (vv. 10–11)
As an example,
brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of
the Lord. We count those blessed who
endured. You have heard of the endurance
of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full
of compassion and is merciful.
The farmer wasn’t James’s only illustration. He points us to the prophets, but not just
for our instruction. The term here is a
command that means that we should see them as an example, meaning something to
imitate.[8] We should see them as worthy of our
emulation, as our exemplars.
What do they model for us?
None other than “suffering and patience;” these men faced suffering but
modeled patience. Godly people don’t
always experience prosperity and wealth.
Think of Jeremiah, beaten and imprisoned (Jer. 20:2), or Elijah, hunted
by Jezebel (1 Kings 19:1–2). They spoke
“in the name of the Lord,” with His authority.[9] We will face the same persecution as they had
(Matt. 5:12), so their lives teach us: suffering for God’s sake is worth it.
Consider what he says in verse 11 — “Behold, we count those
blessed who endured.” This returns to the
beatitude James highlighted in James 1:12, “Blessed is a man who perseveres
under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life
which the Lord has promised to those
who love Him.” As Jesus said in Matthew
5:10, “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of
righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Peter used it similarly — “But even if you
should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do
not be troubled” (1 Pet. 3:14).
The word describes a state of being where there is true joy
or happiness. It can ironically come in
the midst of suffering as we know the Lord’s presence and see Him at work
through our weakness. Here, we look at
the prophets who suffered and consider them blessed; we recognize that
they were blessed of God.
James cites Job as evidence, who received the word of the
Lord. He says, “You have heard of the
endurance of Job.” Of course, that’s not
the same word as patience, but the thought is the same; this is also translated
“perseverance” (LSB), “steadfastness” (NASB FN, ESV). Job’s story is famous, losing everything yet
saying, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return
there. The Lord gave and the Lord has
taken away. Blessed be the name of the
Lord” (Job 1:21–22). That last verse
concludes, “Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.” He also corrected his wife who wanted him to
curse God by saying, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not
accept adversity?” — and we again read, “In all this Job did not sin with his
lips” (Job 2:10). Even when he struggled
with his own patience toward God, he remained steadfast.[10] This is because God granted his faith, so it
could not be taken away by the schemes of the devil.
What was the result of all Job’s sufferings? James says, “You have seen the outcome of the
Lord’s dealings.” We could just consider Job’s wealth; Job 42:10, 12 says, “The
Lord restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends, and the Lord
increased all that Job had twofold. … The Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning,” which
we can verify by comparing Job’s inventory to Job 1:3.
We could also consider Job’s family; he had seven “sons and
three daughters were born to him” (Job 1:2), and the Lord gave him seven more
sons and three more daughters (Job 42:13).
That means that the Lord exactly doubled his family size in the end, as
well. (You might wonder how they are
doubled, by don’t forget that the souls of his original children live on with
the Lord, and Job will see them again!) God
richly blessed Job in all the ways a man can be blessed, despite what the devil
put him through.
Why did God do all this? It wasn’t because Job was necessarily more
worthy than others. In fact, the reason
James gives here is that it’s because “the Lord is full of compassion and is
merciful.” These terms echo Exodus 34:6,
which says, “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger,
and abounding in lovingkindness.” Job’s
trials proved God’s character.
This is what we must understand about the account of
Job. As MacArthur notes here in his
commentary on James, “God’s blessing does not come to people who do great
things, but to people who endure. Those
who will receive the greatest blessing in the life to come are those who have
endured the greatest suffering in the present world (cf. Matt. 20:20–23). The hope of blessing now and in the future
glory should motivate suffering Christians to patient endurance.”[11] God is glorified through weakness, but gives
us the strength to endure and blesses those who do.
We are blessed for suffering for the sake of righteousness. This is something Paul realized when he
prayed that God would remove his thorn in the flesh; the Lord replied, “My
grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness,” and Paul
concluded, “Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so
that the power of Christ may dwell in me” (2 Cor. 12:9). God’s compassion and mercy gives us the power
we need to endure and will ensure that we make it through.
This is what makes the doctrine of the perseverance of the
saints such a deep encouragement. This
precious truth assures us that those whom God has called, justified, and united
to Christ will never fall away, for He who began a good work in us will carry
it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Phil. 1:6). Our patience in suffering, then, isn’t merely
human effort; it’s empowered by the Holy Spirit, who preserves us through every
trial. As Charles Spurgeon once said,
“It is not your hold of Christ that saves you, but His hold of you.” So, be
encouraged — your endurance is secured by God’s unyielding grip, giving you
confidence to press on until you see Him face to face.
VI.
Conclusion
The Lord commands that we be patient amid suffering, and He
grants what He commands. We can know
that we can trust Him because He’s trustworthy. The Lord’s return strengthens our hearts,
giving us hope. Because the Judge is near, He calls us to unity. And because of God’s blessings — seen in the
prophets and Job — we know He can also sustain us through every trial.
Are you suffering tonight? Maybe it’s injustice, a loss, or a delay. If so, look to Christ’s coming. Cease from grumbling, and follow the faithful
who’ve gone before us in the power of the Holy Spirit. Trust the compassionate, merciful Lord who
sees you and will deliver you.
[1] J. Ronald Blue, The
Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, 1985, 2, 833.
[2] A. T. Robertson, Word
Pictures in the New Testament, (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1933), Jas
5:7.
[3] John MacArthur Jr., Ed., The MacArthur Study Bible, electronic ed., (Nashville, TN: Word
Pub., 1997), 1934.
[4] Peter H. Davids, The
Epistle of James: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New International Greek
Testament Commentary, (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1982), 182–183.
[5] “Parousia (coming) is an important New Testament
eschatological term. It is the most
commonly used term in the New Testament epistles for the second coming of Jesus
Christ (cf. 1 Cor. 15:23; 1 Thess. 2:19; 3:13; 4:15; 5:23; 2 Thess. 2:1, 8; 2
Pet. 1:16; 3:4; 1 John 2:28; cf. Matt. 24:3, 27, 37, 39).” Emphasis in original. John F. MacArthur Jr., James, MacArthur New Testament Commentary, (Chicago: Moody Press,
1998), 253.
[6] Davids, The
Epistle of James: A Commentary on the Greek Text, 183.
[7] Robertson, Word
Pictures in the New Testament, Jas 5:8.
[8] Ibid., Jas 5:10.
[9] Ibid.
[10] Blue, The Bible
Knowledge Commentary, 833.
[11] MacArthur, James,
260.
