Evidently, among the brethren James addressed were ungodly wealthy people (cf. 1:9-11; 2:6; 4:13-17; 5:1-6). Some of the wealthy were oppressing the poor, and brethren were being tested by such wrong-doing. James explains the proper response to oppression and suffering which agrees with his previous exhortation of acceptable behavior while undergoing trials (cf. 1:2-7, 12).

Be patient. It is easy to grow restless when living righteously, yet suffering for doing so. To strengthen the need for patience James gives a few examples of patience:

• The farmer – He puts in hard work, but the fruit of the earth does not spring up at once. In order to see the outcome of his diligence he must wait patiently for rain and growth.
• The prophets – As mouthpieces of God they served a noble, and important purpose. Yet, none proclaiming the truth can expect a journey void of bumps and ruts. They too were patient in their suffering and rejection.
• Job – Job is renowned for his trials and encounters with the Devil’s vain attempts to diminish his loyalty to God. He patiently endured and therefore received relief and reward from God, for “the Lord is very compassionate and merciful” (v. 11).

We must be careful to maintain patience, understanding our lives are “even a vapor that appear[s] for a little time and then vanish[es] away” (4:14) and “the coming of the Lord is at hand” (v. 8). We cannot allow ourselves to become agitated in our wait, descending to grumbling against each other. Suffering is a form of discipline we must patiently endure to yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness (cf. Hebrews 12:11).