James 5 10

James 5:10 kjv

Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.

James 5:10 nkjv

My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience.

James 5:10 niv

Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

James 5:10 esv

As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

James 5:10 nlt

For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

James 5 verses

James 5 10 Meaning

James 5:10 instructs believers to emulate the Old Testament prophets, viewing them as supreme models of patient endurance amidst suffering. These prophets faithfully declared God's message, "in the name of the Lord," often encountering severe hardship and opposition as a direct consequence of their divine calling. Their lives stand as a testament to persevering in faithfulness, providing a concrete pattern for believers facing their own trials while awaiting the Lord's return.

James 5 10 Context

James chapter 5 commences with a stern condemnation of the wealthy oppressors who unjustly exploit the poor, declaring divine judgment upon them. Immediately following this denunciation (vv. 1-6), James shifts focus to the afflicted believers, urging them to exercise patience and endurance, directly linking their perseverance to the anticipated "coming of the Lord" (vv. 7-8). He cautions them against grumbling against one another (v. 9). Within this broader call for steadfastness amidst suffering and the expectation of Christ's return, James 5:10 offers the revered Old Testament prophets as concrete, historical precedents for how genuine faith endures hardship. Their lives serve as powerful examples that faithfully upholding God's truth, even when facing significant opposition, often involves suffering which must be met with patient trust in God's ultimate justice and vindication.

James 5 10 Word analysis

• ὑπόδειγμα (hypodeigma): Translated as "example" or "pattern." This Greek term denotes more than a mere instance; it signifies a definite model, standard, or paradigm to be imitated, copied, or used as a blueprint. It implies something to be studied and applied, indicating the instructional significance of the prophets' lives.
• τῆς κακοπαθίας (tēs kakopathias): "of suffering," "hardship," or "distress." This word combines kakos (evil, bad) with pathos (suffering), pointing to the enduring of genuine evil, ill-treatment, or adverse circumstances often inflicted by others. It emphasizes the difficult and harmful nature of the trials endured.
• καὶ τῆς μακροθυμίας (kai tēs makrothymias): "and of patience" or "longsuffering." Makrothymia literally means "long-temperedness" or "having a long spirit." It signifies a resilient, unwearied steadfastness that endures over an extended period, particularly in the face of provocation or injustice, without retaliation or quick despair. It is an active persistence, not passive resignation, often reflecting God's own patience.
• λάβετε (labete): "take," "receive," "consider," "choose." An imperative verb, directing the readers to actively and consciously adopt, embrace, and apply this specific pattern of behavior. It’s a call to intentional learning and internalizing.
• ἀδελφοί (adelphoi): "brethren," "brothers and sisters." This common form of address throughout the New Testament highlights the familial bond and shared fellowship within the Christian community, emphasizing the collective responsibility to live out these virtues.
• τοὺς προφήτας (tous prophētas): "the prophets." Specifically refers to the divinely inspired messengers of the Old Testament. Their lives were well-known examples of obedience and faithfulness, often accompanied by persecution, rejection, and severe hardship, for speaking God's unwelcome truths.
• οἳ ἐλάλησαν (hoi elalēsan): "who spoke." This past tense verb emphasizes the prophets' core historical function and completed action: to deliver God's authoritative word to His people, a task that often led to their suffering.
• ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι Κυρίου (en tō onomati Kyriou): "in the name of the Lord." This phrase denotes the divine authority, commission, and power under which the prophets spoke. Their words were not their own but from God, making their suffering for those words a suffering in His service and for His honor. This validates their endurance as a model for all who bear Christ's name.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• ὑπόδειγμα τῆς κακοπαθίας καὶ τῆς μακροθυμίας (a model of suffering and patience): This pairing highlights that the prophets did not merely suffer, but they suffered with patience. It combines the external reality of affliction with the internal fortitude of endurance, presenting a complete picture of faithful response to hardship. This active, steadfast bearing of evil circumstances serves as the concrete blueprint.
• λάβετε, ἀδελφοί (take, brethren): This is a direct, strong, and personal appeal to the community. It emphasizes the command's direct application to their lives as a united body of believers. It's a call to collectively observe and apply this historical wisdom.
• τοὺς προφήτας, οἳ ἐλάλησαν ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι Κυρίου (the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord): This phrase delineates precisely which historical figures are to be emulated and why. By stressing their divine commissioning and authoritative speaking "in the name of the Lord," James underlines that their suffering was not accidental but intrinsically tied to their obedience to God. This elevates their example, showing that enduring hardship in divine service is a pattern, not an anomaly, for God's faithful messengers.

James 5 10 Bonus section

The inclusion of the prophets as examples directly connects the suffering of the New Testament believers to the rich lineage of faith in the Old Testament, illustrating the consistent nature of the path of righteousness across dispensations. The makrothymia (longsuffering) highlighted here is not merely human resilience but is a divine attribute (often ascribed to God Himself in the Septuagint) and a fruit of the Spirit, indicating that true endurance in suffering is Spirit-empowered. James encourages an active engagement with biblical history for strength and perspective, showing that the lives of those who served God before us are meant to be deeply studied and emulated, rather than merely acknowledged.

James 5 10 Commentary

James 5:10 profoundly connects the present suffering of believers to the historical reality of God's most dedicated servants. By holding up the Old Testament prophets as an "example," James offers more than just historical anecdote; he presents a divinely validated paradigm for navigating adversity. These prophets faced genuine "suffering" (κακοπαθία) as a direct consequence of their faithful proclamation "in the name of the Lord," yet they demonstrated unwavering "patience" (μακροθυμία). This underscores that endurance in faith, even when proclaiming divine truth, often incurs opposition, but such trials are meant to be met with steadfast resolution. This isn't passive resignation but an active, spiritual fortitude rooted in trust in God's ultimate justice and His coming. The passage reminds us that faithfulness to God, especially when speaking His word, historically and currently often involves a shared path of hardship.

Practical Examples:

• When a Christian worker endures dismissal or unfair treatment for maintaining biblical integrity in a workplace, they reflect the prophets who were ostracized for not compromising.
• For individuals patiently bearing long-term illness, confident in God's timing for healing or ultimate redemption, their endurance mirrors the steadfast faith of the prophets awaiting God's complete deliverance.
• When ministry leaders face relentless criticism and opposition for faithfully teaching the Word, they embody the prophetic spirit, enduring for the Lord's name.