James 5:7
What does James 5:7 mean?
A plain-English look at James 5:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What James 5:7 means
James calls believers to be patient until the coming of the Lord, using the husbandman as a model. A farmer works and waits, trusting God for the early and latter rain to bring the crop to maturity. In the same way, Christians labor in faith and endure delay, confident that the Lord will act at the right time. The command does not minimize pain; it dignifies it with purpose. The Lord’s coming is the anchor for perseverance. Suffering is not endless; it is a season within a story God completes. Like the farmer, believers hold steady, do their part, and entrust results to God’s faithful timing.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Be patient therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it, until it receive the early and latter rain.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Be patient therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it, until it receive the early and latter rain.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Go on waiting calmly, my brothers, till the coming of the Lord, like the farmer waiting for the good fruit of the earth till the early and late rains have come.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Be patient, then, brethren, till the presence of the Lord; lo, the husbandman doth expect the precious fruit of the earth, being patient for it, till he may receive rain--early and latter;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Be patient therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth: patiently bearing till he receive the early and latter rain.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Have patience, therefore, brethren, till the coming of the Lord. Behold, the labourer awaits the precious fruit of the earth, having patience for it until it receive [the] early and [the] latter rain.
Context
With verse 7, the chapter turns from condemning oppressive wealth to encouraging suffering believers. The image of the husbandman introduces a patient, hope-filled posture, which verses 8–9 will deepen by stressing the nearness of the Lord’s coming and warning against grumbling. The agricultural example counters the injustice of verses 1–6: instead of grasping and oppressing, Christians endure and trust. This sets a pastoral tone for the following exhortations to steadfastness, integrity, and prayer.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 2:7
to them that by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and incorruption, eternal life:
- Luke 8:15
And that in the good ground, these are such as in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it fast, and bring forth fruit with patience.
- Hebrews 6:15
And thus, having patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
- Luke 21:27
And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
- Hosea 6:3
And let us know, let us follow on to know Jehovah: his going forth is sure as the morning; and he will come unto us as the rain, as the latter rain that watereth the earth.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:19
For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of glorying? Are not even ye, before our Lord Jesus at his coming?
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