James 5:7 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Be patient therefore, brethren He now addresses the pious, oppressed, and persecuted disciples of Christ: as if he had said, Since the Lord will soon come to punish them, and relieve you, patiently bear the injuries which rich men offer you, and quietly wait till he come. Behold the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit Which will recompense his labour and patience; till he receive the early, or the former rain Immediately after sowing; and the latter Before harvest. In Judea the rains usually come in a regular manner; the early rain about the beginning of November, after the seed is sown, and the latter in the middle or toward the end of April, while the ears are filling. These rains were promised to the Israelites, Deuteronomy 11:14, where see the note, and on Hosea 6:3. Be ye also patient Like the husbandman; stablish Στηριξατε, strengthen, or confirm; your hearts In faith and patience, considering that your sufferings will not be long; the coming of the Lord To destroy your persecutors; draweth nigh And so does his coming to rescue his people from the troubles of this life by death, and to judge the world in righteousness at the last day. Grudge, or, groan, not As στεναζετε signifies; one against another Groaning is caused by oppression; and when it is merely the natural expression of affliction, it is perfectly consistent with genuine piety, and moves God to pity the afflicted person, Judges 2:18: but when it is the effect of impatience, or when it implies a desire of revenge, it becomes criminal, and is the kind of groaning which the apostle forbids. Some read the clause, Murmur not one against another: that is, have patience also with each other; lest ye be condemned Lest you all suffer for it, and perish in the common calamity; behold the Judge Christ; standeth before the door Hearing every word, marking every thought, and ready to execute those judgments.