James 5:10
What does James 5:10 mean?
A plain-English look at James 5:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What James 5:10 means
James presents the prophets as models of suffering and patience. They spoke “in the name of the Lord,” often facing hostility not because they were wrong but because they were faithful. Their endurance shows that trials are not signs of God’s absence but occasions for steadfast witness. By remembering the prophets, believers place their own hardships inside a larger story of God’s servants who bore reproach while trusting His word. The example dignifies perseverance: the path of obedience has always required it. This verse affirms that speaking and living by God’s truth may cost us, yet we share the same sustaining grace known by those who went before.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Take, brethren, for an example of suffering and of patience, the prophets who spake in the name of the Lord.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Take, brethren, for an example of suffering and of patience, the prophets who spake in the name of the Lord.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Take as an example of pain nobly undergone and of strength in trouble, the prophets who gave to men the words of the Lord.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862An example take ye of the suffering of evil, my brethren, and of the patience, the prophets who did speak in the name of the Lord;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Take, my brethren, for example of suffering evil, of labour and patience, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Take [as] an example, brethren, of suffering and having patience, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of [the] Lord.
Context
Moving from commands to examples, verse 10 supports the call to patience with biblical models. It sets up verse 11, which highlights Job as a particular instance of endurance rewarded by the Lord’s compassion. Together, these verses translate the abstract idea of patience into lived history. They also counter any impression that suffering means failure; instead, suffering has often marked God’s most faithful servants, assuring the readers that they stand in good company.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 21:34
And when the season of the fruits drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, to receive his fruits.
- Hebrews 11:32
And what shall I more say? for the time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah; of David and Samuel and the prophets:
- 2 Chronicles 36:16
but they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and scoffed at his prophets, until the wrath of Jehovah arose against his people, till there was no remedy.
- Matthew 5:11
Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
- Matthew 23:34
Therefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: some of them shall ye kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city:
- Jeremiah 26:16
Then said the princes and all the people unto the priests and to the prophets: This man is not worthy of death; for he hath spoken to us in the name of Jehovah our God.
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