Devine Scripture

James 5:8

What does James 5:8 mean?

A plain-English look at James 5:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What James 5:8 means

James repeats the call to patience and adds, “establish your hearts,” urging believers to strengthen their inner resolve because the coming of the Lord is near. The nearness is moral and motivational: God’s arrival stands at the door, so live ready. Establishing the heart means fixing one’s trust and priorities, not being swayed by circumstances. The Lord’s return is the fulcrum by which present burdens are lifted into hope. This verse invites a settled courage—an anchored soul that endures without bitterness. The future certainty of Christ’s appearing gives present stability, reminding believers that timelines are God’s and that His judgment and mercy will set all things right.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Be ye also patient; establish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Be ye also patient; establish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Be as calm in your waiting; let your hearts be strong: because the coming of the Lord is near.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

be patient, ye also; establish your hearts, because the presence of the Lord hath drawn nigh;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Be you therefore also patient and strengthen your hearts: for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Ye also have patience: stablish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is drawn nigh.

Context

Verse 8 follows the farmer image by drawing out its lesson: patience rooted in the Lord’s imminent coming. It bridges to verse 9, which warns against internal grumbling, since the Judge is at the doors. This flow shows that hope in the Lord’s return is not escapism; it shapes relationships and attitudes now. The “establish your hearts” command prepares for further examples of endurance (prophets, Job) and for practical integrity in speech (v. 12) and prayer (vv. 13–18).

v.7Be 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.

v.8This passage

v.9Murmur not, brethren, one against another, that ye be not judged: behold, the judge standeth before the doors.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Galatians 5:22

    But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

  • Habakkuk 2:3

    For the vision is yet for the appointed time, and it hasteth toward the end, and shall not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not delay.

  • Philippians 4:5

    Let your forbearance be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

  • Lamentations 3:25

    Jehovah is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.

  • Revelation 22:20

    He who testifieth these things saith, Yea: I come quickly. Amen: come, Lord Jesus.

  • 1 Peter 4:7

    But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore of sound mind, and be sober unto prayer:

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