7 Be patient therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it, until it receive the early and latter rain. 8 Be ye also patient; establish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Murmur not, brethren, one against another, that ye be not judged: behold, the judge standeth before the doors. 10 Take, brethren, for an example of suffering and of patience, the prophets who spake in the name of the Lord. 1 1 Behold, we call them blessed that endured : ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord, how that the Lord is full of pity, and merciful.

The suffering by which the readers were being tried was caused by cruel oppression, especially on the part of employers. Under these conditions employees are tempted to words and deeds unworthy of Christians. While every lawful effort should be made to better conditions and to secure justice for themselves and others, nevertheless, under even the most cruel treatment, believers must manifest a spirit of patient endurance.

The motive to which James appeals is the expectation of the speedy return of Christ: "Be patient therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord." Many wrongs may be righted, many social customs may be improved, before the visible reappearing of the Saviour, but his coming is "the blessed hope," both for the Church and the world; then justice will be meted out to oppressor and oppressed; then will begin an age of righteousness and peace.

The illustration suggested by the writer is that of a farmer who, after planting the seed, waits for the early rain in the fall and the "latter rain" in the spring and so for the ripened harvest: "Be ye also patient; establish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord is at hand." Meanwhile, their grievous sufferings must not make them fretful and complaining and unforgiving in their relations with fellow Christians; at his coming the Lord will bring judgment upon them as well as vengeance upon their enemies. They might also be encouraged by the example of ancient prophets and saints who testified and suffered in the name of the Lord: "Behold, we call them blessed that endured." They are reminded in particular of Job; he was not very patient, if by patience we mean freedom from complaint and irritation and anger, but here the thought is of steadfast "endurance," the quality of invincible faith in God; this Job possessed, and his whole life story is an illustration of how, in the end, the Lord always shows his pity and mercy and vindicates his justice and his love toward those that trust and "wait for" him.