James 5:10

KJV

Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.

KJV (with Strong's)

Take {G2983}, my {G3450} brethren {G80}, the prophets {G4396}, who {G3739} have spoken {G2980} in the name {G3686} of the Lord {G2962}, for an example {G5262} of suffering affliction {G2552}, and {G2532} of patience {G3115}.

Complete Jewish Bible

As an example of suffering mistreatment and being patient, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of Adonai.

Berean Standard Bible

Brothers, as an example of patience in affliction, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

American Standard Version

Take, brethren, for an example of suffering and of patience, the prophets who spake in the name of the Lord.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
James 5:10 powerfully exhorts believers to look to the Old Testament prophets as exemplary models of steadfast endurance and resilient patience in the face of intense suffering and affliction. This verse serves as a profound encouragement, reminding the Christian community that faithfulness to God's word often entails hardship, yet such trials are to be met with the same unwavering resolve demonstrated by those who spoke directly on behalf of the Lord.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** James 5:10 is nestled within a broader exhortation on patience and steadfastness as believers await the Lord's return, which begins in [James 5:7](/james/5-7 "James 5:7 - Be Patient Until the Lord's Coming"). The apostle James first employs the illustration of a farmer patiently waiting for the precious fruit of the earth, enduring until the early and latter rains. This agricultural metaphor sets the stage for the human examples of endurance that follow. Immediately preceding our verse, James urges his readers to "establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand" ([James 5:8](/james/5-8 "James 5:8 - Establish Your Hearts")). Following the call to consider the prophets in [James 5:10](/james/5-10 "James 5:10 - The Prophets as Examples"), James immediately pivots to the quintessential Old Testament figure of suffering, Job, stating, "Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord" ([James 5:11](/james/5-11 "James 5:11 - The Perseverance of Job")). This progression from natural illustration to historical human examples underscores the practical and attainable nature of the patience James advocates.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The audience of James's epistle were Jewish Christians, likely dispersed throughout the Roman Empire, facing various forms of social ostracism, economic oppression, and even persecution for their faith. They would have been intimately familiar with the narratives of the Old Testament prophets, whose lives were often marked by significant hardship, rejection, and suffering precisely because they "have spoken in the name of the Lord." Figures like Elijah, who fled from Jezebel ([1_kings/19-1-3](/1_kings/19-1-3 "1 Kings 19:1-3 - Elijah Flees Jezebel")), Jeremiah, who was imprisoned and beaten for his prophecies ([jeremiah/20-1-6](/jeremiah/20-1-6 "Jeremiah 20:1-6 - Jeremiah's Persecution")), and Amos, who was expelled from Bethel ([amos/7-10-13](/amos/7-10-13 "Amos 7:10-13 - Amos Expelled from Bethel")), served as powerful examples of those who endured severe affliction while remaining faithful to their divine calling. This historical reality of prophetic suffering would have resonated deeply with the early Christian community, who themselves were beginning to experience similar opposition for proclaiming the name of Jesus.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within the book of James. Foremost is the theme of **Endurance in Suffering**, which is a pervasive thread throughout the epistle, particularly in [James 1:2-4](/james/1-2-4 "James 1:2-4 - The Testing of Your Faith"). James consistently teaches that trials are not to be avoided but embraced as opportunities for spiritual growth and the development of steadfastness. The verse also highlights the **Prophetic Paradigm**, presenting the prophets not merely as historical figures but as living examples whose lives offer practical guidance for contemporary believers facing similar challenges. Their suffering was a direct consequence of their faithfulness in "speaking in the name of the Lord," underscoring that proclaiming God's truth can lead to opposition. Finally, the theme of **Patience (Makrothymia)** is central, emphasizing an active, resolute perseverance that does not merely passively wait but steadfastly endures under pressure, looking beyond present difficulties to God's ultimate vindication and the Lord's return. This patience is not a weakness but a spiritual strength forged in the crucible of affliction, leading to a mature and complete faith ([james/1-4](/james/1-4 "James 1:4 - Let Patience Have Its Perfect Work")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Take (Greek, _lambánō'_):** This verb signifies to "get hold of," "receive," or "accept." In this context, it is an imperative, a direct command for believers to actively grasp and embrace the example set by the prophets. It implies a deliberate act of observation and emulation, not merely passive acknowledgment.
* **Suffering affliction (Greek, _kakopátheia'_):** This compound word literally means "suffering evil" or "experiencing hardship." It denotes distress, trouble, or ill-treatment. It highlights the actual, often severe, difficulties and persecutions that the prophets endured as a direct result of their faithful ministry. It's a tangible, lived experience of adversity.
* **Patience (Greek, _makrothymía'_):** This term describes "longanimity," implying both forbearance (objectively, towards others) and fortitude (subjectively, in enduring circumstances). It is not merely passive waiting but a steadfast, persevering quality that enables one to remain firm, hopeful, and unyielding when trials are prolonged or severe. It is the opposite of giving up or losing heart.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Take, my brethren,"**: James, writing as a pastor to his Christian community, issues a direct command ("Take") to his "brethren," emphasizing the familial bond and shared spiritual journey. This imperative calls for intentional consideration and active adoption of the example that follows.
* **"the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord,"**: The specific examples to be observed are the Old Testament prophets. The phrase "who have spoken in the name of the Lord" underscores their divine commission and authority; their words were not their own but God's. This divine connection is crucial, as their suffering was often a direct consequence of faithfully delivering God's often unpopular or challenging messages.
* **"for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience."**: The purpose of considering the prophets is to see in them a concrete "example" (Greek: _hypódeigma_, meaning a pattern or model for imitation or warning). This example specifically pertains to their experience of "suffering affliction"—the hardships and persecutions they endured—and their corresponding "patience" or steadfast endurance through those trials. This twin focus highlights both the reality of hardship and the necessary virtue for navigating it.

#### Literary Devices
James 5:10 employs several effective **literary devices**. The most prominent is **Exemplum**, where the lives of the prophets are presented as a moral and spiritual model for the audience to emulate. This is a common rhetorical technique in ancient literature and the New Testament, providing concrete, relatable figures rather than abstract principles. The phrase "who have spoken in the name of the Lord" functions as a form of **Ethos**, lending authority and credibility to the prophets' example; their suffering was not random but tied to their divine mandate. Furthermore, the pairing of "suffering affliction" and "patience" creates a **Juxtaposition** that highlights the necessary response to hardship. It's not just that they suffered, but *how* they suffered—with patience—that makes them exemplary. This also hints at **Didacticism**, as the verse is clearly designed to instruct and encourage the readers in their own trials, providing a blueprint for resilient faith.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
James 5:10 profoundly connects the experiences of Old Testament prophets to the ongoing reality of Christian life, establishing a continuity of suffering and steadfastness across the covenants. It underscores the theological truth that faithfulness to God's word and mission has historically, and will continue to, invite opposition from a world hostile to divine truth. The prophets, as God's spokespersons, bore the brunt of this hostility, yet their unwavering commitment to their calling, despite immense personal cost, serves as a powerful testament to the sustaining power of God and the transformative nature of enduring faith. This verse thus validates the experience of suffering for righteousness' sake, reframing it not as a sign of God's displeasure but as a shared path with God's most devoted servants, culminating in a blessed outcome.

* [Matthew 5:11-12](/matthew/5-11-12 "Matthew 5:11-12 - Blessed Are Those Persecuted for Righteousness")
* [Hebrews 11:32-38](/hebrews/11-32-38 "Hebrews 11:32-38 - The Faith of the Prophets and Saints")
* [1 Peter 2:20-21](/1_peter/2-20-21 "1 Peter 2:20-21 - Suffering for Righteousness' Sake")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
James 5:10 offers profound and timeless encouragement for believers navigating the complexities of their faith in a challenging world. It reminds us that the path of discipleship is not always smooth or comfortable; indeed, it often involves "suffering affliction." However, rather than succumbing to despair or bitterness, we are called to look to those who have walked this path before us—the prophets—and draw strength from their example. Their lives teach us that true patience is not passive resignation but an active, resolute endurance that trusts in God's ultimate plan and timing, even when circumstances are dire. This perspective transforms suffering from a meaningless burden into a crucible for spiritual growth, refining our character and deepening our reliance on God. In our own moments of trial, whether it be social ostracism for our beliefs, professional setbacks due to integrity, or personal hardships that test our faith, the prophets stand as a cloud of witnesses, testifying to the enduring power of God and the ultimate reward of steadfastness. Their stories are not just ancient history but living lessons, urging us to persevere with hope and unwavering faith, knowing that our endurance is never in vain in the Lord.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific "suffering affliction" might believers face today, and how can the example of the prophets help us navigate these challenges?**
* **How does the concept of "patience" (makrothymía) as active endurance differ from passive waiting, and how can we cultivate this kind of patience in our lives?**
* **Can you identify a modern-day "prophet" or Christian leader whose life exemplifies "suffering affliction and patience," and what lessons can be drawn from their experience?**
* **How does remembering that the prophets "spoke in the name of the Lord" encourage us when our own attempts to live out or speak God's truth lead to opposition?**

### FAQ

**Why does James specifically mention the "prophets" as examples?**

Answer: James specifically mentions the "prophets" because they represented the pinnacle of faithfulness and divine communication in the Old Testament, yet their lives were consistently marked by intense opposition and suffering. For his Jewish Christian audience, the prophets were revered figures whose stories were well-known, providing concrete, relatable examples of individuals who endured severe hardship precisely because they "spoke in the name of the Lord." Their suffering was not accidental but often a direct consequence of their unwavering obedience to God's call and their courageous proclamation of His truth, even when it was unpopular or dangerous. By highlighting the prophets, James underscores that suffering for righteousness' sake is a consistent pattern for God's faithful servants across history, offering both validation and a powerful model for endurance for the early church and for believers today ([Matthew 5:12](/matthew/5-12 "Matthew 5:12 - Rejoice and Be Glad When Persecuted")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
James 5:10, by pointing to the prophets as examples of suffering and patience, profoundly foreshadows and finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The prophets, who "spoke in the name of the Lord," were but imperfect shadows of the ultimate Prophet, Jesus, who is the very Word of God incarnate ([john/1-1-3](/john/1-1-3 "John 1:1-3 - The Word Was God")). Just as the prophets endured affliction for their faithfulness, Christ Himself, though sinless, experienced the deepest forms of suffering, rejection, and persecution for speaking God's truth and fulfilling His divine mission ([isaiah/53-3-5](/isaiah/53-3-5 "Isaiah 53:3-5 - He Was Wounded for Our Transgressions")). His entire life was an unparalleled example of "suffering affliction," culminating in the agony of the cross, where He bore the sins of the world ([1_peter/2-24](/1_peter/2-24 "1 Peter 2:24 - He Bore Our Sins in His Body")). Yet, in all His suffering, Jesus demonstrated perfect "patience" (makrothymía), not retaliating against His accusers ([1_peter/2-23](/1_peter/2-23 "1 Peter 2:23 - When He Suffered, He Did Not Threaten")), enduring the cross for the joy set before Him ([hebrews/12-2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Jesus, the Author and Finisher of Our Faith")), and submitting entirely to the Father's will ([luke/22-42](/luke/22-42 "Luke 22:42 - Not My Will, But Yours Be Done")). Thus, while the prophets offer a valuable human example, Christ is the divine and perfect archetype of patient endurance in suffering, enabling believers to follow His steps, knowing that He has already overcome the world ([john/16-33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - In the World You Will Have Tribulation")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Hebrews 11:32

¶ And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and [of] Barak, and [of] Samson, and [of] Jephthae; [of] David also, and Samuel, and [of] the prophets:

Hebrews 11:38

(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and [in] mountains, and [in] dens and caves of the earth.

Matthew 5:11

Blessed are ye, when [men] shall revile you, and persecute [you], and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Matthew 5:12

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great [is] your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Hebrews 13:7

Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of [their] conversation.

Acts 7:52

Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:

Acts 3:21

Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.