James 5 11

James 5:11 kjv

Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

James 5:11 nkjv

Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord?that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

James 5:11 niv

As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

James 5:11 esv

Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

James 5:11 nlt

We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.

James 5 verses

James 5 11 Meaning

James 5:11 presents endurance as a path to blessing, demonstrating God's ultimate nature as deeply compassionate and merciful, despite the experience of trials. It calls believers to recognize divine favor in those who steadfastly bear up under suffering, taking the steadfastness of Job and the eventual, good outcome provided by the Lord as prime examples of this truth. The verse serves as a reminder that even in severe testing, God’s benevolent character ensures a redemptive end for His faithful ones.

James 5 11 Context

James 5:11 is embedded within James's exhortations to believers facing various hardships and injustices, particularly from wealthy oppressors (Jas 5:1-6). The chapter begins with a severe warning to the rich who exploit others, then transitions to comforting and encouraging the oppressed. Following the admonition to be patient until the Lord's coming, drawing parallels with the farmer waiting for his crop (Jas 5:7) and the prophets as examples of suffering and patience (Jas 5:10), James presents Job. The specific mention of Job serves as the ultimate Old Testament archetype for profound suffering combined with remarkable endurance. The historical context reflects a period when many Christians were suffering persecution and economic hardship, leading to potential disillusionment or questioning of God's justice. James uses Job's story to reassure them that God is neither indifferent nor cruel; rather, He works all things toward a compassionate and merciful conclusion for those who endure.

Word Analysis

• Behold (ἰδοὺ - idou): An emphatic interjection in Greek, functioning like "Look!" or "Pay attention!" It calls the reader's focus to what follows, emphasizing the profound importance or striking nature of the statement. It draws immediate attention to the principle being introduced, underlining its significance for those who are struggling.
• we count those blessed (μακαρίζομεν τοὺς ὑπομείναντας - makarizomen tous hypomeinantas):
  • count/consider (μακαρίζομεν - makarizomen): From makarizō, meaning "to declare blessed" or "to consider happy/fortunate." It reflects a judgment or evaluation from a divine perspective, contrasting with human judgment that might view sufferers as cursed or unfortunate. It’s an active declaration of what God values.
  • blessed (τοὺς ὑπομείναντας - tous hypomeinantas): Referring to "those who endured/persevered." The concept of "blessed" (makarios) in Scripture implies spiritual well-being and divine favor, often independent of external circumstances or worldly prosperity. It’s a state of inner joy and God-given satisfaction that arises from relationship with God, even amidst suffering. This challenges the popular ancient world's idea that wealth and health equated divine favor.
• who endured/persevered (τοὺς ὑπομείναντας - tous hypomeinantas): The aorist active participle of hypomeno. This verb signifies remaining under a burden, standing firm, patiently enduring, or persevering without giving up despite difficult circumstances. It's not passive resignation but active steadfastness in the face of pressure, remaining faithful and hopeful.
• You have heard (ἠκούσατε - ēkousate): Implies prior knowledge, likely through biblical narrative (the Book of Job) or common teachings. It connects with shared communal wisdom, reinforcing the validity of the example.
• endurance of Job (ὑπομονὴν Ἰὼβ - hypomonēn Iōb):
  • endurance (ὑπομονὴν - hypomonēn): Noun form of hypomeno, directly referencing Job's well-known characteristic. His story is a classic case of extreme, undeserved suffering met with an unwavering, albeit sometimes questioning, faith in God's ultimate justice.
  • Job (Ἰὼβ - Iōb): A pre-Mosaic, possibly Edomite, figure whose biblical account (Book of Job) explores the problem of suffering, particularly why righteous people suffer. He famously declared, "Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him" (Job 13:15), exemplifying the perseverance discussed.
• have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealing (εἴδετε τὸ τέλος Κυρίου - eidete to telos Kyriou):
  • have seen (εἴδετε - eidete): Not merely intellectual knowledge but a clear understanding or realization, possibly implying contemplation of the historical account leading to a definite conclusion.
  • outcome/end (τὸ τέλος - to telos): This is a critical term, referring not just to the cessation of suffering but to the purpose, goal, or result God intends and brings about. In Job's case, it refers to his restoration (Job 42:10-17) and double blessing. It signifies God’s redemptive purpose, bringing suffering to a meaningful and good conclusion.
  • of the Lord's dealing (Κυρίου - Kyriou): "Lord" here referring to God as sovereign, in control of the events, and ultimately orchestrating the "outcome." It underscores that the telos is God’s intentional work, not arbitrary fate.
• that the Lord is full of compassion and mercy (ὅτι πολύσπλαγχνός ἐστιν ὁ Κύριος καὶ οἰκτίρμων - hoti polysplanchnos estin ho Kyrios kai oiktirmōn):
  • full of compassion (πολύσπλαγχνός - polysplanchnos): A compound word (from polys "much" + splanchna "intestines/bowels," often seat of emotions). It denotes deep-seated, profound pity, often a strong gut feeling of sympathy or mercy, indicating intense divine tenderness and empathy.
  • mercy (οἰκτίρμων - oiktirmōn): From oiktirmos, meaning "pity, compassion." This often carries the connotation of active pity that leads to relief for those suffering, not just passive sympathy. It's an active attribute of God’s benevolent character, willing to alleviate distress. These two terms frequently appear together in the Septuagint (Greek OT) to describe God's steadfast, loving-kindness (e.g., Psa 103:8; Exod 34:6).

Words-group Analysis:

• "Behold, we count those blessed who endured.": This phrase sets up the foundational principle: true blessing is found in steadfast endurance through trials, a concept central to James’s theology (Jas 1:12). It directly counters any notion that suffering negates divine favor, aligning divine approval with perseverance.
• "You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealing.": This connects the abstract principle to a concrete, well-known historical/biblical example. Job serves as irrefutable proof. The mention of "outcome" is crucial; it’s not just enduring, but seeing the telos – God's intended and final good result. This emphasizes God’s providential care in bringing trials to a redemptive close.
• "that the Lord is full of compassion and mercy.": This concluding statement reveals the theological underpinning for enduring faith. Job's experience is offered as empirical proof of God's fundamental character attributes. Despite initial appearances of harshness or abandonment during trials, God's nature is revealed as consistently benevolent, empathetic, and ready to act on behalf of the afflicted, bringing about a favorable end. It is God's character, particularly His deep compassion and active mercy, that guarantees a positive outcome for the faithful endurer.

James 5 11 Bonus section

The Septuagint (LXX) translation heavily influenced New Testament writers. The phrase "πολύσπλαγχνός... καὶ οἰκτίρμων" (full of compassion and mercy) directly echoes numerous Old Testament passages describing God (e.g., Psa 103:8, Exod 34:6). This connection emphasizes that the God of the New Covenant is the same faithful, compassionate God revealed in the Old Testament, providing continuity and assurance to suffering believers that His character is unwavering. The verse implies that trials are temporary, and God's merciful telos will prevail.

James 5 11 Commentary

James 5:11 acts as a powerful summation of James's earlier teachings on suffering and faith. It provides a theological anchor for the struggling believer: endurance in trials is not in vain, for it leads to divine blessedness. The suffering of Job is not just an ancient story but a profound case study proving God's character. Job endured unimaginable loss and suffering, yet remained faithful to God. The 'outcome of the Lord’s dealing' with Job, wherein God restored him with even greater blessings, conclusively demonstrates that God's intent, even amidst severe testing, is ultimately compassionate and merciful. This compassionate nature is the guarantor that steadfastness will be honored and vindicated. The verse encourages believers to look beyond immediate pain to God's ultimate purpose and unchanging nature, fostering patience and hope rather than despair or questioning of God's goodness during tribulations. It implicitly reminds believers that God permits suffering, but He is not pleased with suffering itself; rather, He works through suffering for a redemptive and merciful end.