James 5:10 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Bible Comments

Take the prophets Once persecuted like you, even for speaking in the name of the Lord The very men that gloried in having the prophets, yet could not bear their message. Nor did either the holiness or the high commission of these messengers of God screen them from suffering; for an example of suffering affliction Or persecution from the persons to whom they brought divine revelations; and of patience In suffering. Behold, we count them happy We commend them, and believe them to be the beloved children of God; who endure Bear their sufferings with patience, meekness, and a contented mind. The apostle's mentioning this immediately after he had proposed the prophets as an example of patience in suffering, shows that he herein alludes to Christ's words, (Matthew 5:11,) Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, &c., for so persecuted they the prophets that were before you. Ye have heard of the patience of Job Under his peculiarly heavy sufferings; and have seen the end of the Lord Ye have seen, in the history of that good man, what a happy issue the Lord gave to his sufferings; or how much to his honour and comfort his various and heavy afflictions concluded; that the Lord is very pitiful, &c. And that it is with the bowels of an affectionate father that he corrects his beloved children, and not for his own gratification, but with a view to their eternal advantage.

James 5:10-11

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

11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.