What does James 5:4 mean?

Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. James 5:4

Explanation

James 5:4 is a verse found in the New Testament of the Bible, written by James, believed to be the brother of Jesus Christ. The verse constitutes a sharp rebuke of rich landowners who have withheld wages from their laborers. Its literal meaning is straightforward: those who have reaped the fields, likely the peasants or hired workers, have not been paid properly by the landowners. The phrase “kept back by fraud” implies that this nonpayment is of a deceitful nature and is a deliberate act of injustice. On a deeper level, the verse is a call for social justice and integrity in dealings with others. It is an assurance that God sees and hears the injustices committed by the rich against their workers, calling attention to the moral and spiritual consequences of exploiting laborers.

Historical Context

James 5:4 was written during a time when there were significant socio-economic disparities in society. Early Christian communities often comprised both wealthy members and those who were very poor. Laborers were generally vulnerable and had few protections, allowing landowners and those in power to easily exploit them. The epistle of James is characterized by its focus on practical living and ethical behavior, and it explicitly addresses the injustices found in the early church and broader society.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, this verse demonstrates the concern that God has for the oppressed and how He stands against injustice. The use of the term “Lord of sabaoth,” which means “Lord of hosts” or “Lord of armies,” presents God as a powerful defender of those who are wronged. Different theological viewpoints may interpret this passage differently. For example, liberation theologians might emphasize God’s siding with the oppressed, whereas proponents of Prosperity Theology might focus on moral failings leading to consequences.

Practical Applications

In everyday terms, James 5:4 challenges individuals and societies to consider how they treat workers. It implores employers to pay fair wages, urges communities to stand against fraud and exploitation, and encourages believers to live out their faith through just actions. It suggests a responsibility to listen to the needs of others and to be conscious of the power dynamics at play in economic transactions.

Cross-References

• Leviticus 19:13 – “Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.”
• Deuteronomy 24:14-15 – “Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that are in thy land within thy gates: At his day thou shalt give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he is poor, and setteth his heart upon it: lest he cry against thee unto the Lord, and it be sin unto thee.”
• Malachi 3:5 – “And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the Lord of hosts.”

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the word for “kept back” is ἀπεστερημένος (apesteremenos), which conveys the idea of being defrauded or deprived of something that is due. The term “fraud” translates from the Greek κατὰ (kata) which has a connotation of oppression or being against someone in this context. “Crieth” (κράζων, krazon) is a vivid term often used to indicate a loud cry or a beseeching shout, implying a desperate plea for justice. “Sabaoth” is a transliteration of the Hebrew word “ṣeba’ot,” signifying “hosts” or “armies,” and is used to represent the Lord’s power and authority.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

This verse can be compared to other cultures and religions that have their own views on social justice and the treatment of workers. For example, many ancient cultures have codes that regulate the treatment of laborers, such as the Code of Hammurabi in Babylonian culture. Furthermore, religions like Judaism and Islam have teachings that emphasize fair treatment of laborers and the prohibition of fraud.

Scientific Perspectives

While James 5:4 is not a verse that directly engages with scientific perspectives, the understanding of social dynamics and psychology acknowledges the impact of inequality and injustice on communities and individuals. Modern social studies and economic research affirm the harmful effects that withholding wages and exploitation have on society, which correlates with the ethical teachings of the passage.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and experts provide various insights into this verse:

• Some focus on the eschatological warning invoked by the cries of the laborers, which anticipates the judgment to come upon the rich oppressors.
• Others highlight the social ethics of early Christianity, pointing out that the community of believers was called to live by different standards than those of the wider Roman society.
• Still, others discuss the connection between this verse and the prophetic tradition of the Old Testament, linking James’s condemnation of the rich to the messages of prophets like Amos and Isaiah, who also spoke out against economic exploitation and social injustice.