Exhortation to Patience (verses 7-12)
Verse 7 – James now turns to believers who were being oppressed and encourages them to be patient. The motive for patience is the coming of the Lord. The farmer illustrates the need for patience. He does not reap the same day he plants; rather, there is a long period of waiting. First must come the early rain, causing the seed to germinate. Then, at the end of the season is latter rain, needed to bring the crop to successful fruition.
Verse 8 – The wrongs of the earth will be made right when the Lord returns. Therefore, His people should be patient like the farmer. Their hearts should be established with the certainty of His coming.
Verse 9 – During persecution and difficult times, it is not unusual for people to turn against one another. It is a curious twist of human nature that in times of pressure we build up wrath against those we love most. And so James warns the servants of the Lord working together under difficult circumstances. “Don’t grumble against each other brothers, or you will be judged.” We should not let resentment build up. After all, the judge is already at the door! He knows what we think. Soon we will stand before the judgment seat of Christ to give an account. We should not judge for we will be judged, too.
Verse 10 – The Old Testament prophets are used here as an example of suffering and patience. “Suffering produces perseverance.” (Romans 5:3) Patience in the New Testament means fortitude or steadfastness. Because of their faithfulness in declaring the word of the Lord, the prophets were persecuted without mercy. Yet “he saw him who is invisible.” (Hebrews 11:27, 32-40)
Verse 11 – Job is a fine example of perseverance or fortitude. Few – if any – men in the history of the world have ever suffered so much loss in so short a time as Job. Yet he never cursed God or turned from Him. In the end, his endurance was rewarded. God revealed Himself, as He always does, to be compassionate and merciful.
Verse 12 – Impatience in times of trial is also manifested in swearing. Here it is not a question of profanity or cursing. Neither is it a matter of taking an oath in a court of law. The practice that is forbidden is thoughtless use of the Lord’s name or some other name to test the truthfulness of one’s speech. The Christian should not have to swear by anyone or anything, in heaven or on earth. Those who know him should be able to depend on the fact that his “yes” means yes and his “no” means no. This passage could also be applied to forbid such needless expressions as “For heaven’s sake,” “As God is my judge,” “By Jove,” and such minced expressions as “gee” (contraction for Jesus), “gosh” and “golly” (slang for God). “Or you will be condemned…” warns James, who may be thinking of the third commandment: “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord you God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” (Exodus 20:7)