James 5:7
Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
Original Language Analysis
μακροθυμῶν
Be patient
G3114
μακροθυμῶν
Be patient
Strong's:
G3114
Word #:
1 of 27
to be long-spirited, i.e., (objectively) forbearing or (subjectively) patient
οὖν
therefore
G3767
οὖν
therefore
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
2 of 27
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
ἀδελφοί
brethren
G80
ἀδελφοί
brethren
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
3 of 27
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
ἕως
until
G2193
ἕως
until
Strong's:
G2193
Word #:
4 of 27
a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παρουσίας
the coming
G3952
παρουσίας
the coming
Strong's:
G3952
Word #:
6 of 27
a being near, i.e., advent (often, return; specially, of christ to punish jerusalem, or finally the wicked); (by implication) physically, aspect
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κυρίου
of the Lord
G2962
κυρίου
of the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
8 of 27
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐκδέχεται
waiteth
G1551
ἐκδέχεται
waiteth
Strong's:
G1551
Word #:
12 of 27
to accept from some source, i.e., (by implication) to await
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τίμιον
for the precious
G5093
τίμιον
for the precious
Strong's:
G5093
Word #:
14 of 27
valuable, i.e., (objectively) costly, or (subjectively) honored, esteemed, or (figuratively) beloved
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γῆς
of the earth
G1093
γῆς
of the earth
Strong's:
G1093
Word #:
17 of 27
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
μακροθυμῶν
Be patient
G3114
μακροθυμῶν
Be patient
Strong's:
G3114
Word #:
18 of 27
to be long-spirited, i.e., (objectively) forbearing or (subjectively) patient
ἐπ'
for
G1909
ἐπ'
for
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
19 of 27
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
αὐτῷ
it
G846
αὐτῷ
it
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
20 of 27
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἕως
until
G2193
ἕως
until
Strong's:
G2193
Word #:
21 of 27
a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)
πρώϊμον
the early
G4406
πρώϊμον
the early
Strong's:
G4406
Word #:
25 of 27
dawning, i.e., (by analogy) autumnal (showering, the first of the rainy season)
Cross References
Joel 2:23Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.Deuteronomy 11:14That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil.Galatians 6:9And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.Colossians 1:11Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;Hebrews 6:15And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.Romans 2:7To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:Jeremiah 5:24Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest.Galatians 5:5For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.Matthew 24:44Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.1 Thessalonians 2:19For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
Historical Context
Palestinian agriculture depended on autumn and spring rains. Persecuted saints needed assurance that suffering would end with Christ's return, similar to Paul's encouragement in 1 Thessalonians 4-5.
Questions for Reflection
- What long trial requires farmer-like patience from you?
- How does Christ's coming shape your endurance?
- What practices help you wait actively rather than passively?
Analysis & Commentary
Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be patient (makrothymēsate, μακροθυμήσατε) until the Lord's coming. James uses the farmer waiting for early and latter rain as metaphor for persevering hope.
Reformed eschatology nurtures patience by fixing eyes on Christ's return. Like farmers trust seasonal rains, believers trust the Lord's timing.