5:11a
See: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as See is literally “behold.” This word calls for the readers to pay attention, and it encourages them to think carefully about something.
In some languages, it is more natural to leave this idea implicit. Many English versions do not translate this word.
5:11b
how blessed we consider those who have persevered: Scholars differ as to whom James was talking about:
(1) He was referring to all people who have been steadfast in their faith. (Huther, page 213; Ropes, page 298; Davids (1982), page 186; Hiebert, page 303; Martin, page 193.) For example, the New Living Translation (2004 Revision) says:
We give great honor to those who endure under suffering.
(New International Version (2011 Revision), Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version, Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation (2004 Revision), God’s Word, NET Bible, King James Version)
(2) He was referring only to the prophets in 5:10b. The Good News Translation seems to follow this interpretation, saying:
We call them happy because they endured.
(Good News Translation, New Century Version)
James was probably repeating a well-known thought that applied to other people as well as prophets. (A similar thought occurs in 1:12.) For this reason, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).
how blessed we consider: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as we consider blessed is related to the word in 1:12a that the Berean Standard Bible there translates as blessed. It means that the person is in a good position or is in an enviable/desirable situation.
Some other ways to translate this word are:
Favored/fortunate are
-or-
How good it is for
See also the note on 1:12a.
those who have persevered: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as have persevered also means “have endured.” This refers to people who continued to obey God throughout their lives, despite the fact that their faith was greatly tested.
Some other ways to translate this word are:
those who have endured (NET Bible)
-or-
did not give up (New Century Version)
This word comes from the same Greek verb as “perseveres” in 1:12a.
5:11c
James turned to a specific example of someone who persevered: Job. This example was well-known to James’ readers from the Old Testament and from Jewish tradition. Job continued to trust God even when he had lost his wealth, his family and his health.
You have heard of Job’s perseverance: The Greek noun that the Berean Standard Bible translates as perseverance also means “endurance.” It refers to remaining loyal and steadfast.
Some other ways to translate this clause are:
You have heard about Job’s endurance. (God’s Word)
-or-
Job is an example of a man who endured patiently. (New Living Translation, 1996 edition)
-or-
You(plur) know about Job. He did not give up when he suffered
This noun also occurs in 1:3c, and it is related to the verb “have persevered” in 5:11a.
You: In some languages, it may be more natural to continue using the pronoun “We” as in 5:11b.
5:11d
and have seen: The clause have seen means “(you) have understood” by hearing or reading the story. Some other ways to translate this clause are:
and you know (Good News Translation)
-or-
and you(plur) have heard
the outcome from the Lord: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the outcome from the Lord is literally “the end of the Lord.” There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that is literally “end”:
(1) It means the conclusion, the final outcome, what happened in the end. According to this interpretation, the whole phrase means “the outcome that the Lord gave.” For example, the Good News Translation says:
how the Lord provided for him in the end
(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version (2011 Revision), Good News Translation, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible, God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004 Revision), Contemporary English Version)
(2) It means the purpose, the goal that was in view. For example, the English Standard Version says:
the purpose of the Lord
(Revised Standard Version, NET Bible, New Century Version, New Jerusalem Bible, English Standard Version)
In 5:7 James not only urged Christians to be patient in the midst of suffering, but he also promised a happy ending (“the coming of the Lord”). Similarly, the farmer’s crop receives the rain in the end. So also here it is probable that James was referring not only to the fact that Job was steadfast in his faith, but to the way the Lord blessed him in the end. God finally restored Job’s family, wealth, and health (see Job 42:10–17). So it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).
Some other ways to translate this phrase are:
and how the Lord finally helped him. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
the Lord’s plan finally ended in good (New Living Translation, 1996 edition)
the Lord: Here the Lord refers to God, the one with supreme authority. This word also occurs in 5:10c.
5:11e
A Greek conjunction connects 5:11d to 5:11e. There are two ways to interpret this word:
(1) It means that or how and introduces something else that James’ readers had understood. For example, the New Jerusalem Bible says:
realising that the Lord is kind…
(King James Version, New American Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, NET Bible, New Century Version)
(2) It means because or for and introduces a reason for how God treated Job. For example, the Good News Translation says:
For the Lord is full of mercy…
(Good News Translation, Revised English Bible, God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004 Revision), Contemporary English Version)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). What happened to Job showed James’ readers that the Lord was gracious. The Berean Standard Bible does not explicitly translate this word, but it is probably following the first interpretation.
The Lord is full of compassion and mercy: The clause The Lord is full of compassion and mercy means that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. Some other ways to translate this clause are:
the Lord is compassionate and merciful (God’s Word)
-or-
The Lord has much compassion and mercy
compassion and mercy: The words compassion and mercy are a doublet. This means that they have almost the same meaning.
The word compassion means “kind-hearted,” or “having much pity on people.” The word mercy means “compassionate” or “showing kindness towards people who suffer or who are in need.” (The word mercy also occurs in 2:13 and 3:17.)
Some other ways to translate these words are:
loving and kind
-or-
tenderness and pity
In some languages, it may be more natural to use a single expression that is intensified or emphasized. For example:
The Lord greatly pities his suffering people and helps them
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