James 5:2

KJV

Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.

KJV (with Strong's)

Your {G5216} riches {G4149} are corrupted {G4595}, and {G2532} your {G5216} garments {G2440} are {G1096} motheaten {G4598}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Your riches have rotted, and your clothes have become moth-eaten;

Berean Standard Bible

Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes.

American Standard Version

Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
James 5:2 delivers a powerful and stark indictment against those who accumulate and hoard material wealth without regard for its transient nature or for the needs of others. The verse paints a vivid, almost visceral, picture of decay, asserting that such ill-gotten or selfishly retained riches are destined to rot and perish, symbolizing the ultimate futility and spiritual bankruptcy of those who place their trust in temporal possessions rather than in God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** James 5:2 is an integral part of James's scathing denunciation of the rich oppressors, which begins in [James 5:1](/james/5-1 "James 5:1 - Warning to the Rich"). The preceding verses set the stage by declaring "Woe to you rich!" and foretelling their impending misery. This verse, along with [James 5:3](/james/5-3 "James 5:3 - Hoarded Treasures and Rust"), provides concrete examples of the decay of their hoarded wealth, serving as a tangible metaphor for their spiritual and moral corruption. The broader context of the epistle emphasizes the practical outworking of faith through righteous living, social justice, and genuine care for the vulnerable, making the condemnation of exploitative wealth a natural extension of James's core theological concerns. The contrast between fleeting earthly treasure and enduring spiritual values is a recurring motif throughout the letter, culminating in this direct confrontation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient world, wealth was not primarily stored in banks or digital accounts but often in tangible forms highly susceptible to decay. "Riches" (Greek: *ploûtos*) could include perishable commodities like grain, oil, and wine, which would indeed "corrupt" or spoil over time. "Garments" (Greek: *himátion*), especially fine clothing, were a significant form of accumulated wealth, often serving as investment or status symbols. These were vulnerable to pests like moths, as well as general wear and tear. James is addressing a community where stark economic disparities were common, and wealthy landowners frequently exploited their laborers, a theme explicitly continued in [James 5:4-6](/james/5-4-6 "James 5:4-6 - The Cry of Oppressed Laborers"). The vivid imagery of decay would have resonated deeply with his audience, illustrating the precariousness of their material security in a world without modern preservation methods or robust financial institutions.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully underscores several major themes within James and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **the transience of earthly wealth**, contrasting sharply with the eternal nature of God's kingdom and the treasures laid up in heaven, as Jesus taught in [Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19-21 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Treasures in Heaven"). Secondly, it serves as a strong **condemnation of hoarding and selfish accumulation**, particularly when such wealth is acquired or retained at the expense of justice or compassion for the poor, echoing the warnings found in parables like that of [the rich fool in Luke 12:16-21](/luke/12-16-21 "Luke 12:16-21 - The Parable of the Rich Fool"). Finally, the decay described here is not merely a natural process but symbolizes **spiritual bankruptcy and divine judgment** on those whose trust and identity are found in their possessions rather than in God. Their outward prosperity masks an inner spiritual rot, demonstrating that true richness lies in righteousness and generosity, not material abundance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **riches (Greek, _ploûtos'_):** This term refers to wealth in its broadest sense, encompassing money, possessions, and abundance. In this context, it specifically denotes material affluence that has been accumulated, often unjustly, and is now being hoarded. James uses it to highlight the very object of the rich oppressors' misplaced trust and devotion.
* **corrupted (Greek, _sḗpō'_):** Derived from a verb meaning "to putrefy," "to rot," or "to decay," this word implies a state of complete ruin and offensiveness. It suggests not just a loss of value but a foul, irreversible deterioration. The use of this strong term emphasizes the utter worthlessness and repugnance of wealth that has been hoarded rather than used for righteous purposes.
* **motheaten (Greek, _sētóbrōtos'_):** This compound word literally means "moth-eaten," vividly depicting fine garments being consumed and destroyed by pests. It underscores the vulnerability of even the most prized material possessions to natural forces of decay, rendering them useless and valueless. This imagery reinforces the theme of the impermanence of earthly treasures.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Your riches are corrupted":** This clause directly addresses the wealthy, asserting that their accumulated material wealth, whether in the form of perishable goods or other assets, is undergoing a process of decay and putrefaction. This corruption is not merely a natural process but serves as a divine judgment, indicating the moral and spiritual rot associated with their covetousness and exploitation. The active state of "being corrupted" implies an ongoing, irreversible deterioration, rendering their prized possessions worthless.
* **"and your garments are motheaten":** This second clause provides a specific, relatable example of the decay of wealth. Fine clothing, often a significant store of value and a symbol of status in the ancient world, is depicted as being consumed by moths. This imagery further emphasizes the transience and vulnerability of earthly possessions, highlighting that even the most valuable and carefully preserved items are subject to destruction and loss, ultimately failing to provide lasting security or satisfaction.

#### Literary Devices
James employs powerful **Imagery** in this verse, painting a vivid and almost repulsive picture of decay. The "corrupted" riches evoke the stench and rot of perishable goods, while "motheaten" garments conjure the sight of once-fine fabrics riddled with holes and rendered useless. This sensory detail is designed to shock the reader and underscore the repulsive nature of hoarded wealth in God's eyes. The verse also utilizes **Symbolism**, where the physical decay of material possessions symbolizes the spiritual and moral decay of those who cling to them. The rotting riches and moth-eaten clothes are not just literal descriptions but potent metaphors for the spiritual bankruptcy and ultimate judgment awaiting the unrighteous rich. Furthermore, the entire statement functions as a **Metaphor** for the transient and ultimately worthless nature of all earthly treasures when pursued as an end in themselves, devoid of eternal purpose.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
James 5:2 resonates deeply with biblical theology concerning wealth, stewardship, and eschatology. It stands as a stark reminder that material possessions, when hoarded or acquired through injustice, are not only temporary but also carry spiritual liabilities. The decay described is a physical manifestation of a spiritual truth: that which is earthly and pursued for its own sake will ultimately fail and prove worthless in the face of eternity. This verse challenges the common human tendency to find security and identity in wealth, redirecting focus to the imperishable treasures of righteousness, generosity, and faith. It anticipates the ultimate judgment where earthly gains will be exposed for their fleeting nature, contrasting sharply with the enduring value of spiritual investment.

* [Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19-21 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Do Not Store Up Treasures on Earth")
* [Luke 12:33-34](/luke/12-33-34 "Luke 12:33-34 - Sell Your Possessions and Give to the Poor")
* [1 Timothy 6:9-10](/1_timothy/6-9-10 "1 Timothy 6:9-10 - The Love of Money")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
James 5:2 serves as a timeless and urgent call to re-evaluate our relationship with material possessions in a world often consumed by consumerism and the pursuit of wealth. It forces us to confront the uncomfortable truth that what we accumulate on earth is inherently temporary and subject to decay, whether by natural processes, economic downturns, or the simple passage of time. For believers, this verse is not a condemnation of wealth itself, but of the idolatrous love of money, the selfish hoarding of resources, and the neglect of those in need. It challenges us to consider where our true security lies and what we are truly investing our lives in. Are we building earthly kingdoms that will inevitably crumble, or are we contributing to God's eternal kingdom? This verse implicitly calls us to radical generosity, wise stewardship, and a heavenly perspective, reminding us that true richness is found not in what we possess, but in our character, our relationships, and our service to God and others.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be accumulating "riches" that are susceptible to decay, either literally or spiritually?**
* **How does my use of money and possessions reflect my true priorities and where my "treasure" is stored?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a spirit of generosity and stewardship, rather than hoarding?**
* **How does the transient nature of earthly wealth inform my understanding of true security and lasting value?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse condemn all wealth, or just the hoarding of it?**

Answer: James 5:2, in conjunction with the broader context of [James 5:1-6](/james/5-1-6 "James 5:1-6 - Warning to the Rich Oppressors"), primarily condemns the *hoarding* of wealth, especially when it is acquired through oppression or used selfishly, without regard for the poor or for God's purposes. The issue is not wealth itself, but the love of money, the trust placed in it, and the unrighteous actions it can lead to. The decay described is a judgment on wealth that is accumulated and retained in a manner contrary to God's will, rather than being used for good works or shared generously.

**What does "corrupted" mean in this specific context beyond just physical decay?**

Answer: While "corrupted" (Greek: *sḗpō*) literally refers to physical putrefaction and decay of perishable goods, in this context, it carries profound spiritual and moral implications. It signifies the utter worthlessness and spiritual bankruptcy of wealth that is hoarded or unjustly acquired. Just as physical goods rot and become offensive, so too does the spiritual condition of those who trust in such transient riches. It suggests that their wealth, far from being a blessing, has become a source of spiritual contamination and will ultimately testify against them in judgment, as implied in [James 5:3](/james/5-3 "James 5:3 - Rust as a Witness").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
James's stark warning about the decay of earthly riches finds its ultimate fulfillment and counterpoint in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While human efforts to accumulate wealth are subject to corruption and moth-eaten destruction, Christ offers an imperishable treasure and an eternal inheritance that can never fade away. He himself is the true and lasting wealth, the "pearl of great price" for which one should sell everything else ([Matthew 13:45-46](/matthew/13-45-46 "Matthew 13:45-46 - The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price")). Jesus consistently taught His disciples to lay up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal ([Matthew 6:19-20](/matthew/6-19-20 "Matthew 6:19-20 - Treasures in Heaven")). He demonstrated the true value of self-sacrificial love and generosity, emptying Himself to become poor so that through His poverty we might become rich ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Generosity")). In Christ, believers are called to set their minds on things above, not on earthly things ([Colossians 3:1-2](/colossians/3-1-2 "Colossians 3:1-2 - Set Your Minds on Things Above")), recognizing that our true citizenship and lasting city are in heaven ([Hebrews 13:14](/hebrews/13-14 "Hebrews 13:14 - Our Lasting City")). Thus, the decay of earthly wealth in James 5:2 serves as a powerful backdrop, highlighting the surpassing and eternal value of the spiritual riches found only in union with Christ.

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

Matthew 6:19

¶ Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

Matthew 6:20

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

Job 13:28

And he, as a rotten thing, consumeth, as a garment that is moth eaten.

Isaiah 50:9

Behold, the Lord GOD will help me; who [is] he [that] shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up.

Luke 12:33

Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

Isaiah 51:8

For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation.

1 Peter 1:4

To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,