Nuevo Testamento

James — Capítulo 5

Can we be faithful friends of God like Abraham? Can we resist the pressures of the world, our rebellious human impulses, and the influence of the devil? Can Christians live together in peace as we seek solutions to life’s problems? James addresses these issues in his letter as he seeks to motivate Christians to develop a mature and consistent faith and to show how Christians are to live in thei…

Versión

Texto — Reina-Valera 1960

1¡Vamos ahora, ricos! Llorad y aullad por las miserias que os vendrán.

2Vuestras riquezas están podridas, y vuestras ropas están comidas de polilla.

3Vuestro oro y plata están enmohecidos; y su moho testificará contra vosotros, y devorará del todo vuestras carnes como fuego. Habéis acumulado tesoros para los días postreros.

4He aquí, clama el jornal de los obreros que han cosechado vuestras tierras, el cual por engaño no les ha sido pagado por vosotros; y los clamores de los que habían segado han entrado en los oídos del Señor de los ejércitos.

5Habéis vivido en deleites sobre la tierra, y sido disolutos; habéis engordado vuestros corazones como en día de matanza.

6Habéis condenado y dado muerte al justo, y él no os hace resistencia.

7Por tanto, hermanos, tened paciencia hasta la venida del Señor. Mirad cómo el labrador espera el precioso fruto de la tierra, aguardando con paciencia hasta que reciba la lluvia temprana y la tardía.

8Tened también vosotros paciencia, y afirmad vuestros corazones; porque la venida del Señor se acerca.

9Hermanos, no os quejéis unos contra otros, para que no seáis condenados; he aquí, el juez está delante de la puerta.

10Hermanos míos, tomad como ejemplo de aflicción y de paciencia a los profetas que hablaron en nombre del Señor.

11He aquí, tenemos por bienaventurados a los que sufren. Habéis oído de la paciencia de Job, y habéis visto el fin del Señor, que el Señor es muy misericordioso y compasivo.

12Pero sobre todo, hermanos míos, no juréis, ni por el cielo, ni por la tierra, ni por ningún otro juramento; sino que vuestro sí sea sí, y vuestro no sea no, para que no caigáis en condenación.

13¿Está alguno entre vosotros afligido? Haga oración. ¿Está alguno alegre? Cante alabanzas.

14¿Está alguno enfermo entre vosotros? Llame a los ancianos de la iglesia, y oren por él, ungiéndole con aceite en el nombre del Señor.

15Y la oración de fe salvará al enfermo, y el Señor lo levantará; y si hubiere cometido pecados, le serán perdonados.

16Confesaos vuestras ofensas unos a otros, y orad unos por otros, para que seáis sanados. La oración eficaz del justo puede mucho.

17Elías era hombre sujeto a pasiones semejantes a las nuestras, y oró fervientemente para que no lloviese, y no llovió sobre la tierra por tres años y seis meses.

18Y otra vez oró, y el cielo dio lluvia, y la tierra produjo su fruto.

19Hermanos, si alguno de entre vosotros se ha extraviado de la verdad, y alguno le hace volver,

20sepa que el que haga volver al pecador del error de su camino, salvará de muerte un alma, y cubrirá multitud de pecados.

TYNDALE OPEN STUDY NOTES

Versículo 1

I. 5:1-6 This section denounces the rich people for their greed and arrogant oppression of the poor …

5:1-6 This section denounces the rich people for their greed and arrogant oppression of the poor (Lev 19:13). James warns them to repent while they can; if they do not, they will face terrible troubles . . . on the day of judgment.

Versículo 2

II. 5:2 The wealth and fine clothes are so excessive that they deteriorate from lack of use; their de…

5:2 The wealth and fine clothes are so excessive that they deteriorate from lack of use; their destruction is a sign of the anticipated judgment.

Versículo 3

III. 5:3 Material wealth, represented by gold and silver, is worthless in the face of God’s judgment. …

5:3 Material wealth, represented by gold and silver, is worthless in the face of God’s judgment. In fact, it will testify against them because it was unjustly gotten (5:4) and wickedly used (5:5-6).

Versículo 4

IV. 5:4 These rich people (5:1) were exploitive landowners. Like those in 2:6 who oppressed and dragg…

5:4 These rich people (5:1) were exploitive landowners. Like those in 2:6 who oppressed and dragged Christians into court, they were exploiting the day laborers whose work was to harvest their fields. • cries . . . have reached the ears of the Lord: God hears the prayers of the oppressed (see Deut 24:14-15). Even while the laborers are still suffering, the Lord has heard (see Exod 3:7). • the Lord of Heaven’s Armies (1 Sam 17:45; Ps 103:20-21; Rom 9:29): This title emphasizes God’s power to act when the oppressed cannot.

Versículo 6

V. 5:6 killed innocent people (or killed the Righteous One): In this context, the phrase most likely…

5:6 killed innocent people (or killed the Righteous One): In this context, the phrase most likely refers to innocent people such as the oppressed laborers in this paragraph rather than to Jesus (cp. Acts 3:14; 7:52).

Versículo 7

VI. 5:7-8 be patient: This is the ultimate resolution for the poor in their economic pressures and fo…

5:7-8 be patient: This is the ultimate resolution for the poor in their economic pressures and for the unjust treatment by the wicked rich (5:1-6; see 2:6-7). Even though the poor have been marginalized and oppressed, they must not give up or strike out at their oppressors. At the Lord’s return, the faithful will receive their final reward (Isa 40:10; Luke 6:20-35; 1 Cor 15:23; 1 Pet 1:17; 5:4; Rev 22:12).

Versículo 9

VII. 5:9 the Judge is standing at the door! The coming of Christ is imminent.

5:9 the Judge is standing at the door! The coming of Christ is imminent.

Versículo 10

VIII. 5:10 This verse reflects on Matt 5:11 and Luke 6:23 (see study note on Jas 1:22-23).

5:10 This verse reflects on Matt 5:11 and Luke 6:23 (see study note on Jas 1:22-23).

Versículo 11

IX. 5:11 Job was a man of great endurance because he remained faithful to God throughout his hardship…

5:11 Job was a man of great endurance because he remained faithful to God throughout his hardships (Job 1:20-21; 2:9-10) despite his complaints (Job 3:1-26; 12:1-3; 16:1-3).

Versículo 12

X. 5:12 never take an oath: Because the churches were having such severe verbal conflicts (4:1-3, 11…

5:12 never take an oath: Because the churches were having such severe verbal conflicts (4:1-3, 11-12), James calls upon them to avoid the pitfalls of deceitful oaths by not using any oaths at all (Matt 5:33-37). To swear an oath in the name of the Lord was to call upon him to enforce the oath (Gen 31:53; 1 Kgs 8:31-32). When people swore by heaven or earth they were either feigning reverence while avoiding the use of the divine name, or they were being deceitful with clever verbiage (see Matt 23:16-22). Peter used an oath deceitfully (Matt 26:71-73), but Paul used an oath to confirm his assertions (Rom 1:9; 2 Cor 1:23), which suggests that the prohibition of oaths is not absolute.

Versículo 14

XI. 5:14 The elders of the church were responsible for the well-being of a local assembly of Christia…

5:14 The elders of the church were responsible for the well-being of a local assembly of Christians. Elders were selected because of their relative age and their qualifications as Christian leaders (Acts 14:23; 20:17, 28; 1 Pet 5:1-4; cp. 1 Tim 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). • At this early stage in the development of the church (AD 40s; see James Book Introduction, “Date and Location of Writing”), the word church is apparently a non-technical term meaning “congregation, assembly” (cp. Matt 18:17). • The act of anointing . . . with oil symbolizes divine blessing and healing (Isa 1:6; Matt 6:17; Mark 6:13; Luke 10:34).

Versículo 15

XII. 5:15 a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick: This proverb is a generally true statement, su…

5:15 a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick: This proverb is a generally true statement, subject to the will of God. Only prayers that embody true faith will be answered affirmatively by the Lord, and faith for a particular healing is a gift that comes from God. See also Mark 9:23; John 14:13-14; 15:7, 16; 16:23-27; 1 Jn 3:22; 5:14-15. • if you have committed any sins: James suggests that some illnesses might be caused by sin, and it is important that the sin also be confessed and forgiven (Jas 5:16; see Mark 2:3-12; John 5:14).

Versículo 17

XIII. 5:17 Elijah . . . prayed: See 1 Kgs 17:1; 18:41-46. • Three and a half years (see 1 Kgs 18:1; Luk…

5:17 Elijah . . . prayed: See 1 Kgs 17:1; 18:41-46. • Three and a half years (see 1 Kgs 18:1; Luke 4:25) is a round figure, half of seven, which symbolizes a period of judgment (cp. Dan 12:7; Rev 11:2).

Versículo 19

XIV. 5:19-20 These verses end the letter as a bookend (inclusio) counterbalancing the exhortation to e…

5:19-20 These verses end the letter as a bookend (inclusio) counterbalancing the exhortation to endurance in 1:2-4.

Versículo 20

XV. 5:20 To save a sinner from death refers not merely to physical death but to eternal death, the pu…

5:20 To save a sinner from death refers not merely to physical death but to eternal death, the punishment for departing from the truth of the Good News of Jesus Christ (see 1:12, 15; cp. Heb 6:4-8). If the sinful person listens and repents, eternal punishment will be averted (see also Gal 6:1; Jude 1:22-24).

Cargando JAS 5...

James — Capítulo 5