William Burkitt Notes and Observations - James 5:9 - 5:9

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William Burkitt Notes and Observations - James 5:9 - 5:9


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

Observe here, 1. A prohibiton, Grudge not one against another; that is, do not murmur or repine, groan or grieve, as impatient men use to do under their pressure; complain not of God, because the time of your deliverance is delayed: thirst not after revenge against your persecutors, and envy not those who are exercised with fewer troubles than yourselves: grudge not.

Observe, 2. The enforcement of this prohibition from the danger of the fact, lest ye be condemned. As if he had said, "Impatience and discontent, envy and distrust, will expose you to greater miseries than you complain of: Your sufferings here are but for your probation, but your grudging and repining will be your condemnation."

Observe, 3. The anticipation or forestalling of an objection, which some might make. What! must we suffer, and may we not complain? Must we, by tamely bearing many affronts, invite more, and revenge none?" Yes, says the apostle, be patient, and commit your cause to him that judegeth righteously; for Behold the Judge standeth before the door.

Where note, 1. A Judge, the supreme and universal Judge, Jesus Christ, who was here judged by his creatures, but now is coming to judge his judges.

2. His posture, He standeth, which is the Judge's posture when he executes judgment. St. Stephen saw Christ standing, Act_7:55, at God's right hand; not as an advocate to plead his cause, (Christ is said to sit at God's right hand when he does that); but he stood now as a Judge, to take speedy vengeance on St. Stephen's murderers for that bloody act.

Note, 3. The place where the Judge standeth before the door; that is, he is coming to judgment, and he is just at hand; he has put on his robes, and is ascending his tribunal.

Observe, lastly, the note of attention, Behold! this ushers in the whole, Behold the Judge standeth at the door.

Learn hence, that the consideration of Christ's near approach to judgment should awe the consciences of men, and mould their conversations into a dutiful compliance with divine commands.