James / 5

  • How to Pray

    James 5:16

    As an illustration of Luther’s advice, take some time today to pray through the Ten Commandments. Take each stipulation and confess how you have violated that particular law. Worship Him for the perfection of His character revealed in each ...Read More

  • Providence and Prayer

    James 5:16b–18

    Divine providence should not hinder prayer. Instead it should make us eager to intercede for ourselves and others, because we know God makes use of our prayers to accomplish His will. Consider this example: If my wife is ill, how ...Read More

  • Rescue the Wanderer

    James 5:19–20

    All of us have an important part to play in the salvation of others. While we ourselves could never save another soul, God uses us as tools to help place His Word in the hearts of His elect. As Calvin ...Read More

  • Righteous Prayer

    James 5:16–18

    In 4:4, James warns us against seeking friendship with the world partly because friendship with the world produces ineffectual prayer (vv. 1–3). Instead, we must be friends of God. Elijah was such a friend of God that he ...Read More

  • The Prayer of Faith

    James 5:13–15

    James’ confidence that prayer brings healing occurs in a context looking toward the restoration of all things at the day of judgment (5:7–9). Not until the new heavens and the new earth will our bodies be in perfect ...Read More

  • Oaths and Vows

    James 5:12

    John Calvin writes that if James’ audience “observed faithfulness as they ought, in their words, there would have been no necessity of so many superfluous oaths.” How trustworthy is your speech? Can people believe what you say? Do you see ...Read More

  • Suffering and Patience

    James 5:10–11

    James 5:11 concludes by reminding us that the Lord is compassionate and merciful. We can see this now but it will be even more evident to us at the last day. The vindication that we will experience and the ...Read More

  • Be Patient

    James 5:7–9

    Presently, the people of God suffer under the rule of ungodly men. Yet, as we have read today, one day this will all be reversed. We must, therefore, wait patiently for this day, working to help spread the good news ...Read More

  • Rich Oppressors

    James 5:1–6

    Most wealthy Christians would probably not be guilty of withholding pay from their employees. However, there are many other ways in which wealth can be misused. For example, it is possible to sin by living to the full extent of ...Read More