Notes on James 4:12-5:12

Judge your neighbor? - James 4:12

James warns those who are speaking against neighbors or even other members of the congregation, there is one lawgiver and judge. Only God can establish what is right (Lawgiver) and, then, evaluate fairly (Judge) how well His standards are being met. By judging their neighbors, members of the community are not only violating the command to love their neighbor, they also mimic our first parents’ fall into sin by violating the first commandment.

Wisdom and the Future. - James 4:13-5:12

In three different sections, James deals with issues related to how to make wise plans for the future. We do not know what tomorrow holds. Our resources and ability to control outcomes are much more limited than we realize. We cannot assume that any of our plans will turn out the way we want. James does not say, “it is futile to make plans.” Rather, he counsels the Christian community to submit their plans to God (4:13-17), to share their material resources (5:1-6), and to expect challenges that require patient endurance in faith (5:7-12).

Make Plans According to God’s Will - James 4:13-17

Grabbing the attention of merchants in the Christian community, James offers an example from business planning that serves as a principle of planning for all Christians. Make plans, but plan with humility in submission to God’s will for we have very limited ability to control outcomes.

James warns the wealthy against presumption - James 4:13-15

James reminds the merchants who are planning to travel to another city, set up a business and make a profit, that they do not know what tomorrow will bring. In much the same way that Jesus warned the rich in his parables, James warns the wealthy against presumption. Those who plan from the perspective of heavenly wisdom (see notes on 1:5; 3;15), consider their limitations, that their life is a mist. Accordingly, they submit their plans in humility to God’s wishes. This posture of planning not only acknowledges God’s sovereignty, it recalls the wisdom of God’s law which requires righteousness in our business dealings, and generosity in our use of material goods. If the Lord wills reminds us of our limitations and the provisional nature of our plans. Ultimately, God sets the limits on what our plans achieve (cf. Prov. 16:1, 3; 19:21; 1 Cor 3:5-8). See WCF 3.1-2; WLC 12-14; BC 13.

Boast - James 4:16-17

As he had in 4:6, James warns against boasting and making arrogant plans that disregard the Lord’s will. While the wise person seeks that which is good, the foolish person knows to do good, but does not do it. This clearly echoes 1:22-25 and 2:14-19 (see notes), and situates “doing good” in relation to what merchants will do with their profits to assist their neighbors. Merchants and artisans usually were not landowners, neither were they poor. In the community of faith, however, all are called to share the gifts and goods that they have with those who need life’s necessities, whether spiritual or material.

Share Your Wealth. - James 5:1-6

James shifts his attention from merchants to wealthy landowners. Wisdom addresses every member of the community, regardless of nobility, gender, ethnic identity or economic status. James does not confront the rich for being wealthy, but for unjust practices that exploit their neighbors in order to gain or maintain their wealth.

Rich people - James 5:1

Taking a prophetic tone similar to that in 4:4-5, 9-10, James calls the rich to weep and wail at the impending judgment of God (Isa. 13:6; Isa. 15:3; Amos 8:3). Unlike his call to repentance from sins of speech, James does not offer any options of return, restitution or reconciliation. Those who fail to be generous and cheat their workers face miseries from judgment (cf. Lk 6:24), because they have chosen friendship with the world instead of friendship with the God of the oppressed.

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