A Warning to Wealthy Oppressors
James 5:1-6
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Jas.5.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Αγε: PART
- νυν: ADV
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- πλουσιοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- κλαυσατε: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,pl
- ολολυζοντες: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,pl,m
- επι: PREP
- ταις: ART,dat,pl,f
- ταλαιπωριαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- ταις: ART,dat,pl,f
- επερχομεναις: VERB,pres,mid,ptc,dat,pl,f
Parallels
- Luke 6:24-25 (verbal): Jesus pronounces 'woe to you who are rich' and contrasts future suffering with present comfort—close verbal and thematic parallel to James' call for the rich to weep for coming woes.
- Luke 12:16-21 (thematic): Parable of the rich fool warns a wealthy man's security and future plans can be overturned, echoing James' judgmental warning about impending miseries for the rich.
- Luke 16:19-31 (thematic): The rich man’s reversal after death (torment) beside the poor Lazarus provides a narrative illustration of the fate James expects for unjustly prosperous people.
- Amos 6:1-3 (allusion): Prophetic 'woe' against those at ease in Zion who live in luxury and will face sudden disaster parallels James' denunciation of complacent wealth and coming distress.
- Revelation 18:9-10 (verbal): The merchants and rulers 'stand at a distance, weeping and mourning' over Babylon's fall—similar imagery of weeping over economic collapse and judgment visited on the wealthy.
Alternative generated candidates
- Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you.
- Come now, you rich—weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you.
Jas.5.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- πλουτος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- σεσηπεν: VERB,perf,act,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- ιματια: NOUN,nom,pl,n
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- σητοβρωτα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- γεγονεν: VERB,perf,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Matthew 6:19-20 (verbal): Explicitly warns against storing up earthly treasures 'where moth and rust destroy,' using the same moth/decay imagery about the impermanence of garments and wealth.
- Luke 12:20-21 (thematic): Parable of the rich fool whose stored-up wealth is of no lasting value at death—echoes James’s condemnation of trusting in corruptible riches.
- 1 Timothy 6:17-19 (thematic): Paul’s charge to the wealthy not to set hope on uncertain riches but to do good and lay up eternal treasure parallels James’s critique of corrupt riches and call to right conduct.
- Revelation 18:11-13 (thematic): The lament over Babylon’s fallen merchants—whose cargoes of gold, silver and fine goods become worthless—resonates with James’s image of rotting wealth and ruined garments.
Alternative generated candidates
- Your riches have rotted, and your garments are moth-eaten.
- Your riches have rotted, and your garments have become moth-eaten.
Jas.5.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- χρυσος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- αργυρος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- κατιωται: VERB,perf,pass,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- ιος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- εις: PREP
- μαρτυριον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- εσται: VERB,fut,mid,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- φαγεται: VERB,fut,mid,ind,3,sg
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- σαρκας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- υμων·ως: PRON,gen,pl,2
- πυρ: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- εθησαυρισατε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
- εν: PREP
- εσχαταις: ADJ,dat,pl,f
- ημεραις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
Parallels
- Matt.6:19-21 (verbal): Jesus warns against storing up earthly treasures because 'moth and rust' destroy them and urges storing treasures in heaven—parallels James' image of corroding gold/silver and the futility of hoarded wealth.
- Luke 12:20-21 (thematic): The parable of the rich fool who hoards wealth and loses his life resonates with James' condemnation of those who lay up treasure 'in the last days' and face judgment for earthly accumulation.
- Ezek.7:19 (allusion): Ezekiel depicts people casting silver into the streets and notes that silver and gold cannot deliver on the day of wrath—language and judgment motifs closely parallel James' claim that corroded gold will be witness against its owners.
- Rev.18:11-13 (thematic): Revelation laments merchants whose wealth (including gold and silver) is destroyed at Babylon's fall; the text links luxury/hoarded goods with impending divine judgment, echoing James' condemnation of amassed riches.
- 1 Tim.6:17-19 (thematic): Paul urges the rich not to set hope on wealth but to do good and 'store up treasure' as a righteous foundation—this countermaterial ethic parallels James' critique of hoarded riches and points to proper use/ultimate judgment of wealth.
Alternative generated candidates
- Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be testimony against you and will consume your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure for the last days.
- Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will consume your flesh like fire; you have stored up treasure for the last days.
Jas.5.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ιδου: PART
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- μισθος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- εργατων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- αμησαντων: VERB,aor,act,ptcp,gen,pl,m
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- χωρας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- αφυστερημενος: VERB,perf,pass,ptcp,nom,sg,m
- αφ᾽υμων: PREP,gen,pl,2
- κραζει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- αι: ART,nom,pl,f
- βοαι: NOUN,nom,pl,f
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- θερισαντων: VERB,aor,act,ptcp,gen,pl,m
- εις: PREP
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- ωτα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- Κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Σαβαωθ: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εισεληλυθασιν·: VERB,perf,act,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- Leviticus 19:13 (verbal): Forbids defrauding or withholding the wages of a hired servant (explicitly: do not keep the wages of a laborer), closely echoing James’ charge about withheld wages crying out.
- Deuteronomy 24:14-15 (verbal): Commands timely payment of a hired worker’s wages and warns against oppressing the poor — a direct legal precedent for James’ condemnation of withholding pay.
- Exodus 3:7 (thematic): God observes the affliction of the oppressed and hears their cry; parallels James’ image of the cries of the reapers reaching the ears of the Lord of hosts.
- Malachi 3:5 (verbal): God’s judgment is pronounced against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages — closely parallels James’ portrayal of divine hearing and impending judgment for withheld wages.
- Amos 5:11 (thematic): Condemns those who crush the needy and exact unjust gain from laborers; thematically parallels James’ rebuke of wealthy employers who wrong their workers.
Alternative generated candidates
- Behold, the wages of the reapers that you withheld by fraud cry out, and the outcries of the harvesters have entered the ears of the Lord of hosts.
- Behold, the wages of the workers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out—and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.
Jas.5.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ετρυφησατε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
- επι: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- γης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- εσπαταλησατε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
- εθρεψατε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- καρδιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- εν: PREP
- ημερα: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- σφαγης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Amos 6:1-7 (allusion): Condemns complacent, indulgent elites who feast, lie on beds, and ignore coming disaster—closely parallels James’ rebuke of those living in luxury before judgment.
- Luke 12:19-21 (thematic): Jesus’ parable of the rich fool who stores up wealth and is called to account that night echoes James’ theme of earthly luxury contrasted with sudden judgment.
- Luke 6:24-26 (thematic): Jesus’ ‘woe to you who are rich’ pronouncement links earthly wealth and present ease with coming reversal and condemnation, similar to James’ charge.
- Psalm 73:7-12 (thematic): Describes the prosperous wicked as swollen with abundance and secure now but destined for ruin—parallels James’ picture of fattened hearts facing a slaughtering day.
- Ezekiel 16:49-50 (allusion): Attributes Sodom’s judgment to pride, excess, and failure to help the needy—resonates with James’ linking of indulgent living and coming punishment.
Alternative generated candidates
- You have lived on the earth in luxury and pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.
- You have lived on the earth in luxury and self-indulgence; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.
Jas.5.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- κατεδικασατε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
- εφονευσατε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- δικαιον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- ουκ: PART,neg
- αντιτασσεται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
Parallels
- Matthew 23:29-36 (allusion): Jesus accuses the scribes and Pharisees of building tombs for the prophets and being complicit in their murder—paralleling James’ charge that the righteous have been condemned and killed by the ungodly.
- Acts 7:52 (thematic): Stephen reproaches his audience for betraying and murdering the Righteous One and the prophets—a direct thematic echo of accusing hearers of killing the righteous.
- 1 Peter 2:20-23 (verbal): Christ’s example of unjust suffering—‘when he was reviled he did not revile in return’—parallels James’ note that the righteous does not resist his persecutors.
- Acts 3:14-15 (verbal): Peter charges the crowd with killing ‘the Author of life,’ echoing James’ language of condemning and murdering the righteous.
- Revelation 6:9-10 (thematic): The martyrs under the altar who were slain for God's word cry for justice—paralleling James’ concern with the murdered righteous and divine retribution.
Alternative generated candidates
- You have condemned and killed the righteous one; he offers no resistance to you.
- You have condemned and murdered the righteous one, who does not resist you.
Come now, you rich—weep and howl over the miseries that are coming upon you.
Your wealth has rotted, and your fine garments have been eaten by moths.
Your gold and silver have corroded; their corrosion will be evidence against you and will consume your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure for the last days.
Behold, the wages of the laborers who harvested your fields, which you withheld by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.
You have lived on the earth in luxury and ease; you have fattened your hearts for a day of slaughter.
You have condemned and murdered the righteous one; he offers you no resistance.