Matthew Henry on James 5:1-6

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · Matthew Henry · CC0 1.0 Universal

Public troubles are most grievous to those who live in pleasure, and are secure and sensual, though all ranks suffer deeply at such times. All idolized treasures will soon perish, except as they will rise up in judgment against their possessors.

Take heed of defrauding and oppressing; and avoid the very appearance of it. God does not forbid us to use lawful pleasures; but to live in pleasure, especially sinful pleasure, is a provoking sin. Is it no harm for people to unfit themselves for minding the concerns of their souls, by indulging bodily appetites?

The just may be condemned and killed; but when such suffer by oppressors, this is marked by God. Above all their other crimes, the Jews had condemned and crucified that Just One who had come among them, even Jesus Christ the righteous.

More for James 5:1-6

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

Warnings to the Rich; Motives to Patience under Affliction. (a. d. 61.)James 5:1-11 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleWARNINGS TO THE RICH; MOTIVES TO PATIENCE UNDER AFFLICTION. (A. D. 61.) The apostle is here addressing first sinners and then saints. I. Let us consider the address to sinners; and here we find James seconding what his…The Pulpit Commentary on James 5:1-20James 5:1-20 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION The Pulpit Commentary on James 5:1-6James 5:1-6 · The Pulpit CommentaryDENUNCIATION OF THE RICH FOR The whole section resembles nothing so much as an utterance of one of the old Jewish prophets. It might almost be a leaf torn out of the Old Testament.The Pulpit Commentary on James 5:1James 5:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryGo to now (see on James 4:13). The Vulgate there has ecce; here, agite. Ye rich men (see on James 2:6). Weep and howl, etc.; cf. James 4:9, but note the difference of tone; there, more of exhortation; here, more of denu…The Pulpit Commentary on James 5:1-6James 5:1-6 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe judgment on selfishness. Selfishness lay at the root of the sinfulness of the rich men, whose conduct is so sternly denounced. The sin The Pulpit Commentary on James 5:1-6James 5:1-6 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe judgments coming upon the wicked rich. This apostrophe is so dreadful that we cannot imagine it to have been addressed to professing Christians. It would rather seem that the apostle here turns aside to glance at th…

commentaryWarnings to the Rich; Motives to Patience under Affliction. (a. d. 61.)WARNINGS TO THE RICH; MOTIVES TO PATIENCE UNDER AFFLICTION. (A. D. 61.) The apostle is here addressing first sinners and then saints. I. Let us consider the address to sinners; and here we find James seconding what his…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on James 5:1-6The doom of misused wealth. We have in these opening words an echo of James 4:9; but with a difference. There, a call to repentance; here, a denunciation. The very word "howl" recalls old prophecies of doom (Isaiah 13:6…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on James 5:1-6DENUNCIATION OF THE RICH FOR The whole section resembles nothing so much as an utterance of one of the old Jewish prophets. It might almost be a leaf torn out of the Old Testament.Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on James 5:1-6The judgment on selfishness. Selfishness lay at the root of the sinfulness of the rich men, whose conduct is so sternly denounced. The sinJoseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on James 5:1Go to now (see on James 4:13). The Vulgate there has ecce; here, agite. Ye rich men (see on James 2:6). Weep and howl, etc.; cf. James 4:9, but note the difference of tone; there, more of exhortation; here, more of denu…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on James 5:1-6The judgments coming upon the wicked rich. This apostrophe is so dreadful that we cannot imagine it to have been addressed to professing Christians. It would rather seem that the apostle here turns aside to glance at th…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on James 5:1-20EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on James 5:2Description of the miseries that are coming upon them. The perfects ( σέσηπε … γέγονεν) are probably to be explained as "prophetic," in accordance with a common Hebrew idiom. For an instance of the prophetic perfect,…Joseph S. Exell and contributors