James – Chapter 5

New Testament20 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 5 of James begins: "Go to now, ye rich men: weep and howl in your miseries, which shall come upon you." The chapter centers on Elijah and Job. Across its 20 verses, two threads run through the text: prayer and sin and divine judgment. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1Go to now, ye rich men: weep and howl in your miseries, which shall come upon you.

2Your riches are corrupted: and your garments are motheaten.

3Your gold and silver is cankered: and the rust of them shall be for a testimony against you and shall eat your flesh like fire. You have stored up to yourselves wrath against the last days.

4Behold the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which by fraud has been kept back by you, crieth: and the cry of them hath entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.

5You have feasted upon earth: and in riotousness you have nourished your hearts, in the day of slaughter.

6You have condemned and put to death the Just One: and he resisted you not.

7Be patient therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth: patiently bearing till he receive the early and latter rain.

8Be you therefore also patient and strengthen your hearts: for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

9Grudge not, brethren, one against another, that you may not be judged. Behold the judge standeth before the door.

10Take, my brethren, for example of suffering evil, of labour and patience, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

11Behold, we account them blessed who have endured. You have heard of the patience of Job and you have seen the end of the Lord, that the Lord is merciful and compassionate.

12But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, nor by the earth, nor by any other oath. But let your speech be: Yea, Yea: No, No: that you fall not under judgment.

13Is any of you sad? Let him pray: Is he cheerful in mind? Let him sing.

14Is any man sick among you? Let him bring in the priests of the church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

15And the prayer of faith shall save the sick man. And the Lord shall raise him up: and if he be in sins, they shall be forgiven him.

16Confess therefore your sins one to another: and pray one for another, that you may be saved. For the continual prayer of a just man availeth much.

17Elias was a man passible like unto us: and with prayer he prayed that it might not rain upon the earth. And it rained not for three years and six months.

18And he prayed again. And the heaven gave rain: and the earth brought forth her fruit.

19My brethren, if any of you err from the truth and one convert him:

20He must know that he who causeth a sinner to be converted from the error of his way shall save his soul from death and shall cover a multitude of sins.

Important Verses in James 5

Go to now, ye rich men: weep and howl in your miseries, which shall come upon you.

James 5:1

Be you therefore also patient and strengthen your hearts: for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

James 5:8

Behold, we account them blessed who have endured. You have heard of the patience of Job and you have seen the end of the Lord, that the Lord is merciful and compassionate.

James 5:11

And the prayer of faith shall save the sick man. And the Lord shall raise him up: and if he be in sins, they shall be forgiven him.

James 5:15

Historical Context

As a New Testament book, James was written with jewish Christian communities, called to live the faith in concrete deeds in view. Chapter 5 of 5 brings the book to its close, gathering up themes introduced earlier. It is a apostolic teaching addressed to a Christian community with 20 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Historical attention falls on Elijah and Job, the principal figures named in this chapter. The passage starts with these words: "Go to now, ye rich men: weep and howl in your miseries, which shall come upon you." The final verse reads: "He must know that he who causeth a sinner to be converted from the error of his way shall save his soul from death and…" In terms of historical background, The most practical letter of the New Testament, addressed to Jewish Christians of the dispersion. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of James around About AD 45-62.

Who Wrote It

James, 'the brother of the Lord,' leader of the church in Jerusalem

When It Was Written

About AD 45-62

Catholic Commentary

The apostolic author instructs the Church on doctrine, morality, and community life. A pivotal line is verse 1: "Go to now, ye rich men: weep and howl in your miseries, which shall come upon you." The passage repeatedly touches on prayer and petition to God.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of faith expressed through works. James shows that faith without works is dead (CIC 1815). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 1814).

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that Be doers of the word, not hearers only. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, James 5 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • God invites His people to approach Him confidently in prayer, trusting that He hears and answers.
  • Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.
  • The Lord is a refuge and deliverer for all who call upon Him in trouble.

People in This Chapter

Elijah1 mentionJob1 mention

Reflection for Today

As Catholics read James Chapter 5, we do so within the living Tradition that has guarded this text for two millennia.

The saints did not treat Scripture as antiquarian literature. St. Teresa of Avila, St. Francis de Sales, and countless others used passages such as this to fuel daily conversion. intercession for others remains a practical lesson for modern disciples.

As you continue through James, carry this chapter's lesson into your family, parish, and work. Catholic faith is always ecclesial—God speaks to us as members of Christ's Body, not as isolated individuals.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is James Chapter 5 about?

James 5 contains 20 verses. It opens with "Go to now, ye rich men: weep and howl in your miseries, which shall come upon you." and closes with "He must know that he who causeth a sinner to be converted from the error of his way shall save his soul from death and…". The book as a whole is wisdom epistle.

What is a key verse in James 5?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Go to now, ye rich men: weep and howl in your miseries, which shall come upon you." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in James Chapter 5?

This chapter mentions Elijah, Job.

Who wrote James and when?

James, 'the brother of the Lord,' leader of the church in Jerusalem. About AD 45-62.

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