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- Preaching the Living WORD through
the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4;:2 - |
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THE JUDGMENT
OF THE RICH (James 5:1-6) 1-16-13 Grace Bible Church,
Gillette, Wyoming Pastor Daryl Hilbert I. THE CONTEXT OF THE RICH A. The identification of the
rich in Jm 5:1-6 must be discerned from the context.
B. It is doubtful that James is speaking
directly to his readers. They were scattered by persecution and mostly likely
in dire economic straits. C. In Jm 1:10-11, “the rich” may have applied
to some believers who attained wealth, though James probably was speaking in
general. D. In Jm 2:5-6, “the rich” appear to be
another class of people outside of the scope of the readers, especially when
the rich took the poor to court. E. In Jm 5:1-6, there is no address to the
rich as “brethren,” a usual identification of faith. Neither
are they told to change their ways and repent before the coming of the
Lord. F. The context of Jm 5:1-6 speaks of eternal
judgment, which ultimately is due to unbelief, not wealth. G. While some see the rich here as mere
professing Christians, there is no clear indication of such a case. H. This passage then is
interpreted as the literary style of apostrophe, rhetorically
addressing an absent person(s). These would be unbelievers interspersed near
God’s people (e.g., Is 13-21, 23; Eze 25-32). II. THE PERSONAL MISERIES OF
THE RICH (1-3) A. Miseries that Come upon
the Rich (1) 1. In the
previous section, James exhorted his believing readers to “Be miserable and
mourn and weep” in the sense of repentance (Jm 4:9). Here James tells the
unbelieving rich to “weep and howl” in the sense of impending judgment upon
them. 2. “Weep” (klaiō)
means to lament with tears. “Howl” (ololu,zō)
suggests an onomatopoetic loud cry or wail. Both (lit. “while
howling”) combined, refer to the realization and experience of judgment. 3. “Miseries” is the Greek word talaipōri,a
which is “an emotional condition that arises from inner and outer
torment” (Friberg Lexicon) (cp. Ro 3:16). 4. This is eternal punishment and judgment
that will “come upon” (present participle - epe,rchomai)
them when the Lord comes (parousi,a,
cp. vs. 7). B. Miseries of Moth-Eaten
Garments (2) 1. In his
indictment, James states that their love for wealth was so immense that they
hoarded so much for so long that their delicacies had become “rotten” (sê,pō - decay or spoil). Their expensive
garments had become “moth-eaten” (sêto,brōtos
- sê,s = moth & bibrō,skō
= to eat). 2. If we take these perfect tenses
literally, “they have been rotting and continue to rot” it would mean that
they greedily hoarded for a long time. If we take them figuratively, then the
foolish rich man puts his trust in those things which are temporary and
corruptible (Mt 6:19). 3. In Bible times, wealth consisted of food,
garments, gold, and silver. These were often traded
as payment or gifts. C. Miseries of Tarnished Gold
and Silver (3) 1. James
also states that their gold and silver have “rusted” (katio,ō
- rust or corrosion) by way of corrosion. In fact, it will be the
tarnishing (“rusting” io,s
- poison or acid) of their riches that will be witness against the greed
and selfishness of these wicked men. 2. The result will be that their flesh will
be “consumed” (esthi,ō
- to eat or consume) like that of fire. This is an astoundingly strong
reference to the eternal judgment of the unbelieving. 3. Hell is a literal place of judgment
reserved for the Devil and the unbelieving who display the fruit of
wickedness, evil, and greed (Mt 25:41; 1Co 6:9-10; Ga 5:19-21; Re 21:8;
22:15). a) It is
impending (Jn 3:36 cp. Ro 2:5). b) It is conscious (Lk 16:23-24). c) It is bodily (Mt 5:29; 10:28) d) It is in darkness (Mt 8:12a). e) It is the gnashing of teeth (Mt 8:12b;
13:42). f) It is unquenchable fire (Mt 13:58; Mk
9:48; Lk 3:17; Re 20:15). g) It is eternal (Mt 25:46; Mk 9:48; 2Th
1:9; Re 14:11) 4. James
tells them they have “stored up” (thêsauri,zō
- lay up, put aside; here better as “hoarded)
treasures on earth, not treasures in heaven (Mt 6:20). They were doing this
in these “last days,” the period between Christ’s first and second coming (Ac
2:16-17; He 1:1-2; 1Pe 1:20; 1Jn 2:18; Jud 1:18), and storing up wrath upon
themselves (cp. Ro 2:5-6). III. THE INJUSTICE OF THE RICH
(4-6) A. Injustice Toward Laborers
(4-5) 1. Such
greedy persons do not gain wealth honestly or with integrity, but with lying
and injustice. James accuses the rich of holding back wages from the
deserving “laborers” (erga,tês
- workman, workers). They were the ones who were harvesting the fields of
the rich (4). a) Such
injustice “cries out” (kra,zō
- exclaim, shriek, or scream, cp. Mk 5:5) against the wicked and selfish
character of the rich. Though ignored by the rich, the “outcries” (boê, - loud cry, outcry, battle cry) come to the “ears” (ō,ta
plural) of the Lord. b) It is the Lord Sabaoth (sabaō,th - Heb. tsaba - armies) who hears their cries and will fend
and fight for his children against injustice, especially when He comes. 2. While
the laborers starved, the rich lived “luxuriously” (trupha,ō
- to live softly and sumptuously) with all the comforts they could desire
(5). a) It was a
self-indulgent life of “wanton pleasure” (spataloa,ō
- to live riotously and sensually) in any manner, at any cost, no matter
who it harmed. b) They “fattened their hearts” meaning they
pampered and gorged themselves to their hearts content and beyond. However,
they were doing so like a fattened sacrifice ready to meet its judgment (“day
of slaughter” cp. Is 34:5-8). B. Injustice Toward the
Righteous (6) 1. Such
self-indulgent wealth not only withholds from others but it can lead to
absolute murder. Obviously, James has knowledge of some who have sent
innocent men to the gallows (cp. Jm 2:6). 2. In their cash-cushioned courts they have
had men “condemned” (katadika,zō
- judicial term, pass a sentence or judgment) to death, men who were
innocent and “righteous.” 3. However, they did not “resist” (antitas,ssō -
range in battle against) because they probably lacked the finances. In
the end, like Christ, they entrusted themselves into the hands of the
Righteous Judge (1Pe 2:23). IV. OBSERVATIONS AND
APPLICATIONS A. Believers cannot serve God
and wealth (Mt 6:24; Pr 11:4). B. Believers should store up treasures in
heaven (Mt 6:19-20; Pr 10:22; 15:6; 23:4-5). C. Believers should understand that all
wealth belongs to the Lord (Dt 8:18; Pr 10:22). D. Believers should guard themselves against
the evil associated with wealth (1Ti 6:10). E. Believers should allow their resources to be used for the Lord (Pr 3:9). |
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