James 5:5
You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in the day of slaughter.
You have lived on earth
This phrase emphasizes the temporal and earthly nature of the lifestyle being critiqued. The Greek word for "lived" (ἐτρυφήσατε, etryphēsate) suggests a life of pleasure and indulgence. Historically, this reflects the opulence of the wealthy in the ancient world, who often lived in stark contrast to the poverty around them. The phrase serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of earthly life compared to eternal spiritual realities.

in luxury
The Greek word for "luxury" (τρυφή, tryphē) conveys a sense of extravagant comfort and excess. In the biblical context, luxury is often associated with moral decay and a lack of concern for others. The prophets frequently condemned the wealthy of Israel for their luxurious lifestyles, which were often maintained at the expense of the poor and needy. This serves as a warning against prioritizing material wealth over spiritual health.

and self-indulgence
The term "self-indulgence" (σπατάλη, spatale) implies a reckless and wasteful use of resources for personal pleasure. This word choice highlights the selfishness inherent in such a lifestyle. Biblically, self-indulgence is contrasted with the virtues of self-control and generosity. The historical context of James' audience, likely familiar with the Roman elite's excesses, would have understood this as a call to live with restraint and consideration for others.

You have fattened your hearts
The imagery of "fattened your hearts" draws from agricultural practices of fattening animals for slaughter. The Greek word for "fattened" (ἐθρέψατε, ethrepsate) suggests nurturing or feeding to excess. This metaphor implies a spiritual dullness or insensitivity resulting from overindulgence. In Scripture, the heart is the center of moral and spiritual life, and a "fattened heart" indicates a state of moral complacency and spiritual unawareness.

in the day of slaughter
This phrase evokes a sense of impending judgment. The "day of slaughter" is a prophetic term used in the Old Testament to describe a time of divine retribution. The historical context would remind James' audience of the fate of those who ignored the warnings of the prophets. It serves as a sobering reminder that a life focused on earthly pleasures without regard for God's commands will ultimately face divine accountability.

Persons / Places / Events
1. James
The author of the epistle, traditionally identified as James, the brother of Jesus and a leader in the early Jerusalem church. He writes with authority and pastoral concern for the moral and spiritual well-being of believers.

2. Rich Oppressors
The primary audience of this verse, likely wealthy landowners or merchants who have exploited others for personal gain. James addresses their moral failures and warns of impending judgment.

3. The Day of Slaughter
A metaphorical event symbolizing divine judgment. It evokes imagery of a time when God will hold people accountable for their actions, particularly those who have lived in selfish luxury.
Teaching Points
The Dangers of Self-Indulgence
Living in luxury and self-indulgence can lead to spiritual complacency and moral decay. Believers are called to examine their lifestyles and ensure they align with God's values.

The Reality of Divine Judgment
The "day of slaughter" serves as a sobering reminder that God will judge those who exploit others for personal gain. Christians should live with an awareness of accountability before God.

Stewardship and Generosity
Instead of hoarding wealth, believers are encouraged to use their resources to bless others and advance God's kingdom. Generosity reflects God's heart and counters the self-indulgent lifestyle condemned by James.

Heart Condition Over Material Wealth
The focus should be on the condition of one's heart rather than the accumulation of wealth. A heart "fattened" by luxury is spiritually unhealthy, whereas a heart aligned with God's purposes is life-giving.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does James 5:5 challenge your current lifestyle and priorities? Are there areas where you might be living in self-indulgence?

2. In what ways can you practice generosity and stewardship with the resources God has entrusted to you?

3. How does the concept of divine judgment influence your daily decisions and interactions with others?

4. Reflect on a time when you prioritized material wealth over spiritual health. What changes can you make to align more closely with biblical teachings?

5. How can the warnings in James 5:5 be applied to modern societal issues related to wealth and inequality? What role can you play in addressing these issues as a believer?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Luke 16:19-31
The parable of the rich man and Lazarus illustrates the dangers of living in luxury without regard for others, similar to the warning in James 5:5.

1 Timothy 6:9-10
Paul warns about the love of money and the temptations that come with wealth, echoing James's concerns about self-indulgence and moral decay.

Proverbs 21:17
This proverb warns against loving pleasure and luxury, which leads to poverty, both materially and spiritually, aligning with James's admonition.
A Warning to the RichJames 5:1-6
Aggravations of LuxuryF. T. Bassett, M. A.James 5:1-6
Avaricious Rich MenR. Wardlaw, D. D.James 5:1-6
End of GaietyJames 5:1-6
Excessive Wealth RuinousNew Cyclo. of IllustrationsJames 5:1-6
God Help the RichJames 5:1-6
Gold Bought Too DearlyJames 5:1-6
Insatiable GreedP. H. Gosse, in "Good Words."James 5:1-6
Living in PleasureT. Manton, D. D.James 5:1-6
Living in PleasureJ. Trapp.James 5:1-6
LuxuryH. P. Hughes, M. A.James 5:1-6
MoneyJames 5:1-6
Money an OpportunityJames 5:1-6
Moth-Eaten GarmentsH. W. Beecher.James 5:1-6
Nourished HeartsT. Manton.James 5:1-6
PleasuresQuarles, Henry.James 5:1-6
Poison in PleasuresNew Cyclopoedia of IllustrationJames 5:1-6
Profane Rich MenR. Turnbull.James 5:1-6
Riches Eating the FleshJ. Trapp.James 5:1-6
Ruined by RichesOld Humphrey.James 5:1-6
Running to DeathS. Rutherford.James 5:1-6
Sins of the WealthyC. F. Deems, D. D.James 5:1-6
Sodden with PleasureJ. C. Lees, D. D.James 5:1-6
Sordid SparingT. Manton.James 5:1-6
Take Care of PleasureC. H. Spurgeon.James 5:1-6
Taking Advantage of MeeknessJ. Trapp.James 5:1-6
The Curse of WealthBunyan.James 5:1-6
The Doom of Misused WealthT.F. Lockyear James 5:1-6
The Folly of AvariceA. Plummer, D. D.James 5:1-6
The Gold PoisonShakespeare.James 5:1-6
The Greedy DispositionScientific Illustrations and SymbolsJames 5:1-6
The Ingenuousness of FraudC. Colton.James 5:1-6
The Judgments Coming Upon the Wicked RichC. Jerdan James 5:1-6
The JustDean Plumptre.James 5:1-6
The Miseries Coming Upon the RichJohn Adam.James 5:1-6
The Moral Evils of WealthOrville Dowry.James 5:1-6
The Pleasures of Sense and of ReligionJames 5:1-6
The Troubles of the RichJames 5:1-6
The Unscrupulous Money-GetterScientific Illustrations and SymbolsJames 5:1-6
The Wounds of Evil WealthSt. Francis de SalesJames 5:1-6
Too Much and Too LittleOwen Feltham.James 5:1-6
Unsatisfactory RichesJ. Venning.James 5:1-6
Various Ways of Oppressing the PoorT. Manton.James 5:1-6
Wealth DestructiveT. Secker.James 5:1-6
Wealth DisappointingH. W. Beecher.James 5:1-6
Wealth Exposed to DangerJames 5:1-6
Wealth Seasoned by AlmsJames 5:1-6
Wealth Too Dearly BoughtW. Armlet, D.D.James 5:1-6
People
Elias, Elijah, James, Job
Places
Dispersion
Topics
Delicately, Destruction, Fat, Fattened, Feeding, Gross, Hearts, Indulged, Led, Luxuriously, Luxury, Nourish, Nourished, Pleasure, Profligate, Self-indulgence, Self-indulgent, Slaughter, Stupefied, Wanton, Yourselves
Dictionary of Bible Themes
James 5:5

     4030   world, behaviour in
     5386   leisure, nature of
     5866   gluttony
     8302   love, abuse of

James 5:1-5

     5399   luxury

James 5:1-6

     5450   poverty, spiritual
     8701   affluence
     8780   materialism, and sin

James 5:1-8

     5350   injustice, hated by God

James 5:3-5

     8821   self-indulgence

James 5:4-5

     8810   riches, dangers

James 5:4-6

     5348   injustice, nature and source
     5561   suffering, nature of
     5956   strength, human

Library
June the Twenty-Ninth Effectual Prayers
"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." --JAMES v. 13-20. Or, as Weymouth translates it, "The heartfelt supplication of a righteous man exerts a mighty influence." Prayer may be empty words, with no more power than those empty shells which have been foisted upon the Turks in their war with the Balkan States. Firing empty shells! That is what many professed prayers really are; they have nothing in them, and they accomplish nothing. They are just forged upon the lips, and
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

February the Twenty-Third the Process and the End
"Ye have seen the end of the Lord: that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy." --JAMES v. 7-11. And so we are bidden to be patient. "We must wait to the end of the Lord." The Lord's ends are attained through very mysterious means. Sometimes the means are in contrast to the ends. He works toward the harvest through winter's frost and snow. The maker of chaste and delicate porcelain reaches his lovely ends through an awful mortar, where the raw material of bone and clay is pounded into
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

Against Rash and Vain Swearing.
"But above all things, my brethren, swear not." St. James v. 12. Among other precepts of good life (directing the practice of virtue and abstinence from sin) St. James doth insert this about swearing, couched in expression denoting his great earnestness, and apt to excite our special attention. Therein he doth not mean universally to interdict the use of oaths, for that in some cases is not only lawful, but very expedient, yea, needful, and required from us as a duty; but that swearing which
Isaac Barrow—Sermons on Evil-Speaking, by Isaac Barrow

"Who Will Rise up with Me against the Wicked?"
Ps. 94:16. 1. In all ages, men who neither feared God nor regarded man have combined together, and formed confederacies, to carry on the works of darkness. And herein they have shown themselves wise in their generation; for by this means they more effectually promoted the kingdom of their father the devil, than otherwise they could I have done. On the other hand, men who did fear God, and desire the happiness of their fellow-creatures, have, in every age, found it needful to join together, in order
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions

The Blessing of God on Filial Piety.
"Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, 'Jonadab, the son of Rechab, shall not want a man to stand before me forever.'" Israel were greatly depraved before the days of this prophet, who was sent to reprove and call them to repentance. The prophet faithfully discharged his trust; but labored to very little effect. The chiefs of the nation were offended at its warnings and predictions--rose up against him--shut him up in prison; yea in a dark dungeon, where he sank in the mire;
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects

Conversion
Our text has in it, first of all, a principle involved--that of instrumentality.--"Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know that he who converteth a sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soul from death." Secondly, here is a general fact stated:--"He who converteth a sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins." And thirdly, there is a particular application of this fact made. "Brethren, if any
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 1: 1855

A visit to the Harvest Field
Our subject, to-night, will involve three or four questions: How does the husbandman wait? What does he wait for? What is has encouragement? What are the benefits of his patient waiting? Our experience is similar to his. We are husbandmen, so we have to toil hard, and we have to wait long: then, the hope that cheers, the fruit that buds and blossoms, and verily, too, the profit of that struggle of faith and fear incident to waiting will all crop up as we proceed. I. First, then, HOW DOES THE HUSBANDMAN
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

"Be Ye Therefore Sober, and Watch unto Prayer. "
1 Pet. iv. 7.--"Be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer." We now come to consider the coherence and connexion these duties have one to another. First, Prayer is the principal part of the Christian's employment, and sobriety and watchfulness are subordinate to it. "Be sober, and watch unto prayer." (1.) Prayer is such a tender thing that there is necessity of dieting the spirit unto it. That prayer may be in good health, a man must keep a diet and be sober, sobriety conduces so much to its
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Our God of the Impossible
"Behold I am the Lord, . . . is there anything too hard for ME?" (Jer. 32:27.) "Ah, Lord God! there is nothing too wonderful for thee" (Jer. 32:17, margin). THE following illustration of the truth, "What is impossible with man is possible with God," occurred while we were attending the Keswick Convention in England, in 1910. One evening my husband returned from an evening meeting, which I had not attended, and told me of a woman who had come to him in great distress. She had been an earnest
Rosalind Goforth—How I Know God Answers Prayer

Prevailing Prayer.
Text.--The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.--James v. 16. THE last lecture referred principally to the confession of sin. To-night my remarks will be chiefly confined to the subject of intercession, or prayer. There are two kinds of means requisite to promote a revival; one to influence men, the other to influence God. The truth is employed to influence men, and prayer to move God. When I speak of moving God, I do not mean that God's mind is changed by prayer, or that his
Charles Grandison Finney—Lectures on Revivals of Religion

If it is Objected, that the Necessity which Urges us to Pray is not Always...
If it is objected, that the necessity which urges us to pray is not always equal, I admit it, and this distinction is profitably taught us by James: " Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms" (James 5:13). Therefore, common sense itself dictates, that as we are too sluggish, we must be stimulated by God to pray earnestly whenever the occasion requires. This David calls a time when God "may be found" (a seasonable time); because, as he declares in several other
John Calvin—Of Prayer--A Perpetual Exercise of Faith

On the Whole, Since Scripture Places the Principal Part of Worship in the Invocation Of...
On the whole, since Scripture places the principal part of worship in the invocation of God (this being the office of piety which he requires of us in preference to all sacrifices), it is manifest sacrilege to offer prayer to others. Hence it is said in the psalm: "If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god, shall not God search this out?" (Ps. 44:20, 21). Again, since it is only in faith that God desires to be invoked, and he distinctly enjoins us to frame
John Calvin—Of Prayer--A Perpetual Exercise of Faith

But Some Seem to be Moved by the Fact...
But some seem to be moved by the fact, that the prayers of saints are often said to have been heard. Why? Because they prayed. "They cried unto thee" (says the Psalmist), "and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded" (Ps. 22:5). Let us also pray after their example, that like them we too may be heard. Those men, on the contrary, absurdly argue that none will be heard but those who have been heard already. How much better does James argue, "Elias was a man subject to like passions
John Calvin—Of Prayer--A Perpetual Exercise of Faith

Elijah, the Praying Prophet
"I have known men," says Goodwin--it must have been himself--"who came to God for nothing else but just to come to Him, they so loved Him. They scorned to soil Him and themselves with any other errand than just purely to be alone with Him in His presence. Friendship is best kept up, even among men, by frequent visits; and the more free and defecate those frequent visits are, and the less occasioned by business, or necessity, or custom they are, the more friendly and welcome they are."--Rev. Alexander
Edward M. Bounds—Prayer and Praying Men

Prayer Availeth Much
Prayer Availeth Much PRAYER AVAILETH MUCH ". . . The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." -- James 5:16 by Tony Marshall (T.M.) Anderson Published by The Advocate Publishing House Circleville, Ohio (No copyright or date of publication)
T. M. Anderson—Prayer Availeth Much

Prayer for and with Each Other.
"Confess your faults one to another and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."--James v. 16. Let our last article touch once more the key of love wherein the article preceding that of prayer was set. To speak of the Spirit's work in our prayers, omitting the intercession of the saints, betrays a lack of understanding concerning the Spirit of all grace. Prayer for others is quite different from prayer for ourselves. The latter
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

On the Sacrament of Extreme Unction.
To this rite of anointing the sick our theologians have made two additions well worthy of themselves. One is, that they call it a sacrament; the other, that they make it extreme, so that it cannot be administered except to those who are in extreme peril of life. Perhaps--as they are keen dialecticians--they have so made it in relation to the first unction of baptism, and the two following ones of confirmation and orders. They have this, it is true, to throw in my teeth, that, on the authority of
Martin Luther—First Principles of the Reformation

Ancestry, Birth, Education, Environment: 1513(?)-1546
"November 24, 1572. "John Knox, minister, deceased, who had, as was alleged, the most part of the blame of all the sorrows of Scotland since the slaughter of the late Cardinal." It is thus that the decent burgess who, in 1572, kept The Diurnal of such daily events as he deemed important, cautiously records the death of the great Scottish Reformer. The sorrows, the "cumber" of which Knox was "alleged" to bear the blame, did not end with his death. They persisted in the conspiracies and rebellions
Andrew Lang—John Knox and the Reformation

Knox in Scotland: Lethington: Mary of Guise: 1555-1556
Meanwhile the Reformer returned to Geneva (April 1555), where Calvin was now supreme. From Geneva, "the den of mine own ease, the rest of quiet study," Knox was dragged, "maist contrarious to mine own judgement," by a summons from Mrs. Bowes. He did not like leaving his "den" to rejoin his betrothed; the lover was not so fervent as the evangelist was cautious. Knox had at that time probably little correspondence with Scotland. He knew that there was no refuge for him in England under Mary Tudor,
Andrew Lang—John Knox and the Reformation

Knox in the War of the Congregation: the Regent Attacked: Her Death: Catholicism Abolished, 1559-1560
Though the Regent was now to be deposed and attacked by armed force, Knox tells us that there were dissensions among her enemies. Some held "that the Queen was heavily done to," and that the leaders "sought another end than religion." Consequently, when the Lords with their forces arrived at Edinburgh on October 16, the local brethren showed a want of enthusiasm. The Congregation nevertheless summoned the Regent to depart from Leith, and on October 21 met at the Tolbooth to discuss her formal
Andrew Lang—John Knox and the Reformation

Knox and Queen Mary (Continued), 1561-1564
Had Mary been a mere high-tempered and high-spirited girl, easily harmed in health by insults to herself and her creed, she might now have turned for support to Huntly, Cassilis, Montrose, and the other Earls who were Catholic or "unpersuaded." Her great-grandson, Charles II., when as young as she now was, did make the "Start"--the schoolboy attempt to run away from the Presbyterians to the loyalists of the North. But Mary had more self-control. The artful Randolph found himself as hardly put to
Andrew Lang—John Knox and the Reformation

Whether a Man Can Merit the First Grace for Another
Whether a Man can Merit the First Grace for Another We proceed to the sixth article thus: 1. It seems that a man can merit the first grace for another. For the gloss on Matt. 9:2, "and Jesus, seeing their faith," etc., says: "How much is our own faith worth in the sight of God, if he values the faith of one so highly that he heals another both inwardly and outwardly!" Now it is by the first grace that a man is healed inwardly. One man can therefore merit the first grace for another. 2. Again, the
Aquinas—Nature and Grace

Whether one Can Hope for the Eternal Blessedness of Another
Whether One can Hope for the Eternal Blessedness of Another We proceed to the third article thus: 1. It seems that one can hope for the eternal blessedness of another. For the apostle says in Phil. 1:6: "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform [61] it until the day of Jesus Christ." Now the perfection of that day will be eternal blessedness. One can therefore hope for the eternal blessedness of another. 2. Again, that for which we pray to God,
Aquinas—Nature and Grace

Whether it is Lawful to Swear?
Objection 1: It would seem that it is not lawful to swear. Nothing forbidden in the Divine Law is lawful. Now swearing is forbidden (Mat. 5:34), "But I say to you not to swear at all"; and (James 5:12), "Above all things, my brethren, swear not." Therefore swearing is unlawful. Objection 2: Further, whatever comes from an evil seems to be unlawful, because according to Mat. 7:18, "neither can an evil tree bring forth good fruit." Now swearing comes from an evil, for it is written (Mat. 5:37): "But
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

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