SIL Translator’s Notes on James 2012 – Page 2

SIL Translator's Notes on James 4:4

Paragraph 4:4–6

James said that to love the world’s evil way is to hate God. God is angry with people who do this.

4:4a

You adulteresses!:

The King James Version translation “Ye adulterers and adulteresses” follows a different Greek text, but the meaning is also metaphorical.
) The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as You adulteresses is literally “adulteresses.” This word is feminine and often refers to women who are unfaithful to their husbands. Here this word is a metaphor. In this metaphor, James was rebuking some of his readers by comparing them (both men and women) to women who had committed adultery.

One way that they are similar is that they were not loyal.

Some of James’ readers had not been loyal to God. They had promised that they would follow God, just as a bride promises to stay with her husband. But they had been unfaithful to him like adulterous women are unfaithful to their husbands. So James rebuked them by calling them adulteresses. (This same word is also used metaphorically in Matthew 12:39 and Mark 8:38.)

There are several ways to translate this figure of speech here:

• Keep the metaphor. For example:

Adulterers! (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
You are adulterous people!

• Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:

You are like unfaithful wives (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
You are like married women who are immoral

• Translate the meaning without the figure of speech. For example:

You unfaithful people! (God’s Word)
-or-
you are not loyal to God! (New Century Version)

Make sure your translation is acceptable for public reading in church.

In some translations, it may be helpful to include a footnote to further explain the metaphor of adulteresses. An example for such a footnote is:

The word “adulteresses” here comes from a common Old Testament metaphor that describes God as the husband and his people as his wife. When God’s people were unfaithful to him by worshipping idols, they are described as “adulteresses” and “prostitutes.” See Jeremiah chapter 3; 13:27 and Isaiah 54:5–7; 57:3.

4:4b–c

Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God?: This is a rhetorical question. James used this rhetorical question to express emphasis. He wanted to emphasize that friendship with the world is hatred toward God.

Some ways to translate this emphasis are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Don’t you know that to be the world’s friend means to be God’s enemy? (Good News Translation)
-or-
Friendship with the world is hatred toward God. You know that, don’t you?

• As a statement. For example:

You should know that loving the world is the same as hating God. (New Century Version)

Translate this emphasis in a way that is natural in your language.

4:4b

friendship with the world: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as friendship may also be translated as “love” or “affection.”

The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as world here refers to evil ways of thinking and acting. These evil ways of thinking and acting are the characteristics of people who are opposed to God and his ways.

So friendship with the world means “having a love/preference for the evil ways of the people of this world.”

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

love for this evil world (God’s Word)
-or-
if you love the world (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
following the evil pleasures/ways of this world
-or-
preferring the ways of the ungodly people in this world
-or-
wanting to do whatever God hates

The word world also occurs with a similar meaning in 1:27c.

4:4c

is hostility toward God: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as hostility toward God refers to a state of hating God. It is being opposed to God. It is the opposite of “friendship” (4:4b).

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

you are God’s enemies (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
means to be God’s enemy (Good News Translation)
-or-
is the same as hating God (New Century Version)

4:4d

Therefore: The Greek word that Berean Standard Bible translates literally as Therefore is a conjunction that introduces 4:4d. This conjunction indicates that 4:4d–e is the logical conclusion to the points James has just presented in 4:4b–c. Another way to translate this conjunction is:

So (NET Bible)

whoever chooses: The phrase whoever chooses can also be translated as:

whoever chooses
-or-
the person who chooses

This phrase does not refer to any person in particular.

In some languages, a plural subject may be more appropriate than a singular. It is also possible to use the second person. For example:

All the people who choose
-or-
And if you decide (Contemporary English Version)

chooses: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as chooses means “deliberately decides” to live that way. Some other ways to translate this word are:

decide (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
want (Good News Translation)

to be a friend of the world: The phrase to be a friend of the world refers to “living the way that the world wants,” or “pleasing the people of the world.” (The people of the world are people who do not love God.)

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

to be a friend of this evil world
-or-
to be a friend of the ways of this evil world
-or-
to love all the evil pleasures of this world

This phrase is similar in meaning to “friendship with the world” in 4:4b.

4:4e

renders himself an enemy of God: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as renders himself can also be translated as “makes himself” (as in the Revised Standard Version). In other words, if a person decides that he will be a friend of the world, this decision automatically causes him to be God’s enemy. God does not have or want friendship with the world.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

makes himself God’s enemy (NET Bible)
-or-
you make yourself God’s enemy (Good News Translation)

an enemy of God: An enemy of God is a person whom God is against.

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

SIL Translator's Notes on James 5:20

5:20a

consider this: There is a textual issue in this verse:

(1) Some Greek texts have “He should know.” (Huther, page 226; Ropes, page 315; Hiebert, pages 334–335; Mitton, page 212; Adamson (1976), page 203; Laws, pages 239–240; Davids (1982), page 199; Martin, page 217. This is the reading of most editions of the Greek text, including the UBS Handbook 3rd ed. and 4th ed.) For example, the Revised Standard Version says:

let him know that

(Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible, King James Version, NET Bible)

(2) Other Greek texts have “You^(plur) should know.” (Alford, page 329; Mayor, page 176. This is the reading of Nestle’s 25th ed. and the UBS Handbook 1st ed. Greek texts.) For example, the Good News Translation says:

remember this

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version (2011 Revision), Good News Translation, New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004 Revision), New Century Version)

The evidence shows that option (1) is more likely to be the original text. It means that the person who brings his Christian brother back to believing and obeying God’s truth should know that he has done a good thing. To reflect this meaning, the NET Bible translation is used as the source line in the Display.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

may he realize that
-or-
he can be sure that

5:20b

In 5:20b, James continued to use the same figures of speech about wandering away and someone bringing the person back.

Whoever turns: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible here translates as turns is the same as the word translated as “bring back” in 5:19b. For example:

whoever brings a sinner back (God’s Word)

a sinner: The word sinner refers to a person who habitually disobeys God. Some other ways to translate this word are:

a sinful person
-or-
someone who disobeys God
-or-
a person who does evil

See the note at 4:8c for more information.

from the error of his way: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as error is the noun form of the verb translated “wander” in 5:19a. The phrase his way refers to the path that he has taken. It means the kind of life he has been living. So the whole phrase refers to returning the sinner back “from the wandering/straying path.” It means to help the sinner repent from his life or behavior that no longer pleases God.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

from his wandering path (NET Bible)
-or-
from his wandering (English Standard Version)
-or-
from the wrong way (New Century Version)
-or-
from his wrong living
-or-
from doing bad things

In some languages, it may be possible to leave this phrase implicit. For example:

^20bwhoever brings the sinner back ^20cwill save that person (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))

5:20c

will save his soul from death: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as will save his soul from death means that the person whose words and prayers help the sinner stop sinning and return to obeying God “will save the sinner from dying.” In this context of “saving his soul,” death refers to spiritual death. It is being eternally separated from God.

Some ways to make it clear that this refers to spiritual death are:

will save that sinner’s soul from death (New Century Version)
-or-
will save the soul of that sinner so that he does not go to hell
-or-
will rescue from eternal death the one who has been doing evil

In some languages, it is more natural to translate the noun death with a verb. For example:

will keep him from dying spiritually
-or-
save him from being punished eternally

save: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as save here means “rescue” or “deliver.” The righteous person will be the means that God uses to save from spiritual death the person who went astray.

his soul: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as his soul means his real inner self, in contrast to his body. This is the part of the person that is eternal. Here his soul refers to the soul of the sinner who has turned from the error of his ways.

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

him

5:20d

cover over: This is a figure of speech. The righteous person covers over the sins of the person who has wandered from the path of God’s way to live. This implies that God decides not to look at those sins anymore. It means that God forgives the sins. It does not mean that the righteous person has hidden the other person’s sins from God.

There are at least two ways to translate this figure of speech:

• Keep the metaphor. For example:

and will cover a multitude of sins (New Revised Standard Version)

• Translate the meaning. For example:

and will cause many sins to be forgiven. (New Century Version)
-or-
and God will forgive his many sins.

a multitude of sins: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as a multitude of sins means “very many sins.” Make sure that in your language this expression does not mean “most but not all.” James did not mean that some sins would not be covered. All will be forgiven.

General Comment on 5:19–20

In some languages, it may be natural to break up this long sentence into two or more smaller sentences. For example:

^19aMy brothers, perhaps one of you will wander from the truth. ^19bIf that happens, someone can bring that person back. ^20aHe should know that ^20bwhoever brings a sinner back from the error of his ways ^20cwill save him from death. ^20dAlso, his many sins will be forgiven.

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SIL Translator's Notes on James 1:19

Section 1:19–27

Believers should accept the word of God and obey it

In this section, James emphasized the importance of obeying the word of God. There are three paragraphs: 1:19–21, 1:22–25, and 1:26–27.

Some other possible headings for this section are:

Hearing and Doing the Word (English Standard Version)
-or-
Christians must listen to God’s message and obey it (UBS Handbook)

Paragraph 1:19–21

Believers should get rid of sin and obey the word of God.

1:19a

My beloved brothers: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as My beloved brothers refers to believers in Christ. It refers to both men and women. James loved these believers. This phrase also occurs in 1:16. See the note there for translation advice.

James used this phrase to introduce the subject of controlling one’s speech. He also used this phrase to soften his command (“understand this”) and to make it more polite. You may have another way in your language to introduce a change of subject or to soften a command. If you do, you may be able to use it instead of the phrase My beloved brothers.

understand this: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as understand this is literally “know” (as in the Revised Standard Version). (Instead of the verb “know,” some Greek manuscripts have the conjunction that the King James Version translates as “wherefore.” The reading “know” is strongly supported by a variety of manuscripts and the majority of English versions.) James was telling his readers to be attentive to what he was about to write.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

take note of this (New International Version (2011 Revision))
-or-
remember this (God’s Word)
-or-
do not forget

In some languages, it is not necessary to translate this word. For example the Contemporary English Version says:

aMy dear friends, byou should be quick to listen…

1:19b

Everyone should be quick to listen: The phrase quick to listen means:

ready to listen
-or-
eager to listen

In some languages, it may be more natural to use the second person plural “you” in giving a command like this. For example:

you should be quick to listen
-or-
always be willing to listen (New Century Version)

James was mainly referring to listening to “the word of truth” (1:18). But he stated his command in a general way. So if you need to provide an object for the verb listen in your language, use a general word like “talk” or “words.” For example:

Everyone should listen to others’ words/talk
-or-
Everyone should eagerly listen to what is said

1:19c

slow to speak: The phrase slow to speak means “take time to think carefully before speaking.”

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

Everyone should think before he speaks
-or-
you should not be quick to speak

This phrase does not refer to speaking slowly rather than quickly.

1:19d

slow to anger: The phrase slow to anger means “do not quickly/easily become angry.”

Some languages have an idiom to describe anger. An example of an idiom in English is:

No one should be hot-tempered
-or-
you should not be quick-tempered

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SIL Translator's Notes on James 2:25

2:25

In 2:25, James gave a second example from the Old Testament of someone whom God declared to be righteous. This example is about a prostitute called Rahab. Her story is told in the book of Joshua in two parts: Joshua 2:1–24 and Joshua 6:22–25.

In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute justified by her actions when she welcomed the spies and sent them off on another route?: This is a rhetorical question. James used this rhetorical question to emphasize that Rahab was considered righteous for what she did.

Some ways to translate this emphasis are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

And similarly, was not Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by another way? (NET Bible)

• As a statement. For example:

Rahab the prostitute is another example. She was declared to be right with God by what she did when she hid those messengers and sent them safely away by a different road.

• As a statement and a question. For example:

Another example is the prostitute Rahab. She hid some messengers and then helped them escape by another road. She also was declared righteous for what she did, right?

Translate this emphasis in a way that is natural in your language. It is best to use wording that is similar to your translation of 2:21.

2:25a

In the same way: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as In the same way introduces another example that is like the example of Abraham.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

Likewise (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Similarly
-or-
Another example is (New Century Version)

even: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as even:

(1) It means also. God declared Abraham righteous. He also declared Rahab righteous. For example, the NET Bible says:

was not Rahab the prostitute also justified by works

(Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, English Standard Version, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible, NET Bible, New Living Translation (2004 Revision), New Century Version)

(2) It means even. According to this interpretation, this word indicates something unexpected. Here it indicates that Rahab was an unlikely person to be an example of someone who was declared righteous. For example, the Contemporary English Version says:

Rahab had been a prostitute. But she pleased God…

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version (2011 Revision), Contemporary English Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) and the majority of versions.

In some languages, the translation of “in the same way” will include the idea of also. For example:

Rahab the prostitute is another example. (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))

If that is the case in your language, you will not need to translate this word explicitly.

the prostitute: A prostitute is a woman who has sex with men in exchange for money. In some cultures, the word referring to such a woman may be considered too vulgar or explicit to be read aloud in church. If that is true in your language, translate this word using a more general term. For example:

immoral woman
-or-
woman whose reputation was bad

2:25b

justified by her actions: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as justified by her actions also occurs in 2:21b. You should translate it the same way in both places. (Also, it is almost identical with the phrase in 2:24b.)

by her actions: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as by her actions here is literally “by works” (as in the Revised Standard Version). Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

because of what she did
-or-
because of her good deeds

This phrase also occurs in 2:21b.

2:25c

when she welcomed: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as welcomed means “received someone” or “welcomed someone into one’s house.” In this context, it also means “provided a place to stay and hide from the people who wanted to kill them.”

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

when she hid those messengers (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
-or-
She welcomed the spies into her home (New Century Version)
-or-
when she gave shelter to those messengers and hid them

the spies: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as spies is literally “messengers” (as in the Revised Standard Version). In this context, it refers to men who were secretly looking at a town they hoped to conquer. Then they returned to report back to their commander.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

Israelites who secretly came to investigate her town
-or-
Jewish men sent to secretly inspect her town to see the best way to attack it

2:25d

sent them off on another route: In Joshua 2:15–16, Rahab helped the spies escape by:

(a) hanging a rope out of her window that they used to descend outside the city wall.

(b) counseling them to go into the hills and hide for three days before they returned home.

The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as route can refer to a “road” or more figuratively a “way.” A number of English versions translate this word as “road”. (See the Good News Translation, New Living Translation (2004 Revision), for example.) However, in this context it more likely refers to letting the spies out of the window by a rope. Or, this word may refer to both escaping out of the window and then hiding in the hills.

If you have a word or phrase that can refer to both escaping out of the window and going into the hills, you could use it here. Otherwise be sure that your translation can refer to the spies going out of the window.

Some ways to translate this clause are:

sent them out by another way (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
showed them a different way to leave (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
helped them to escape by getting out of the city in/by an unusual/secret way

Some people are not familiar with this Old Testament story. So you may have to make some of the information explicit. For example:

Then she sent them home a different way so that their enemies would not find them.

General Comment on 2:25a–d

In some languages, it may be clearer to say what Rahab did before saying that God considered her righteous because of it. For example:

^25aAnother example is Rahab the prostitute. ^25cWhen Israelite spies came to her town, she welcomed them. ^25dAnd she advised them to depart another way. ^25bIt was because of what she did at that time that God considered her also to be a righteous person.

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SIL Translator's Notes on James 4:15

4:15a

Instead, you ought to say: The clause Instead, you ought to say means “Rather than saying today or tomorrow we will do this and that, you ought to saywhat follows.” Some English versions do not use the word Instead. They use another construction to indicate the contrast between this verse and 4:13.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

What you should say is this: (Good News Translation)
-or-
Instead of saying that, here is what you should say
-or-
Rather than talking about your plans, what you should say is this:

4:15b

If the Lord is willing: The clause If the Lord is willing means “If the Lord wants us to live and do these things.” Some other ways to translate this clause are:

If the Lord wants
-or-
If the Lord desires it
-or-
If the Lord agrees
-or-
If the Lord God likes

the Lord: The phrase the Lord refers to God. It means “Master”, the One who has supreme authority over everyone and everything. See the note at 4:10a.

4:15c

we will live: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as we will live means “we shall continue to live.” For example:

we shall still be alive (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

In some languages, it may be necessary to add a word to indicate that this verb begins the second part of an “if” clause. For example:

then we will live (NET Bible)

4:15d

and do this or that: The Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as this or that refers to the particular event that the traders planned to do. (See Davids (1982), page 173; Hiebert, page 278. Most commentators do not discuss this point.) They planned to do business and make money.

Some other ways to translate this expression are:

We will do these things. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
carry out our plans (God’s Word)
-or-
do so-and-so (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

James was saying that people should continue to make definite plans but should make them subject to the condition: “If it is the Lord’s will.”

General Comment on 4:15b–d

In some languages, it will be necessary to include parts of 4:15c–d in the “If” clause of 4:15c. For example:

bIf the Lord wants us cto live dand do this or that, it will happen.
-or-
If the Lord wants us to live, we will live. If he wants us to do this or that, we will do it.

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SIL Translator's Notes on James 2:4

2:4a–b

have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?: This is a rhetorical question. James was not asking for information but making an emphatic statement: “You certainly have discriminated.” He was also implying that they had done some things wrong, and he was rebuking them for it.

Some ways to translate this emphasis and rebuke are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

do you not see that you are discriminating among your members and judging by wrong standards? (Revised English Bible)
-or-
You have discriminated among yourselves. You have become judges with evil thoughts. Why have you done that?

• As a statement. For example:

You have certainly done wrong by discriminating among yourselves and becoming judges with evil thoughts.
-or-
That is the same as saying that some people are better than others, and you would be acting like a crooked judge. (Contemporary English Version)

Translate this emphasis and rebuke in the way that is natural in your language for making a strong statement.

2:4a

have you not discriminated among yourselves: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as you…discriminated among yourselves means “you think that some people are better than others, and so you treat them better.” By treating the rich and the poor differently, they were creating distinctions within the fellowship of God’s people. The meaning is essentially the same as “show favoritism” in 2:1.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

have you not made distinctions among yourselves (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
You are making some people more important than others (New Century Version)
-or-
You are treating some members of your congregation as if they were better than others
-or-
That is the same as saying that some people are better than others (Contemporary English Version)

2:4b

and become judges with evil thoughts: This is a metaphor. When people in the Christian community discriminated and favored the rich over the poor, they were acting like evil judges. Some ways that these Christian people and judges with evil thoughts are similar are:

(a) both make decisions about who is good/right and who is evil/wrong.

(b) both prefer the rich. They unjustly make decisions that favor the rich.

When Christians act this way, they become like judges who have evil thoughts.

Some ways to translate this metaphor are:

• Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:

and you would be acting like a crooked judge (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
you have become like evil judges who mistreat good people

• Keep the metaphor as in the Berean Standard Bible. In some languages, it may be necessary to translate the noun “judge” as a verb. For example:

you have become people who have evil thoughts and who judge the rich man better than the poor man

• Translate the meaning without the metaphor. For example:

You think that you can decide who is worthy of honor. That is a wrong way of thinking.
-or-
you favor the rich because of what you hope to receive from them. That is an evil way of thinking.

This phrase does not mean that these Christians had become judges who sit in a court.

with evil thoughts: The phrase with evil thoughts means evil in their way of thinking. It includes the idea that these people judge with an evil standard. This means that they make decisions based on someone’s wealth and social status. It also means that they decide with evil motives. (Some commentators (Moo (2000), page 105; Martin, page 64; McCartney, pages 140 and 144) point out that in a legal context, it is also possible to interpret this as “evil verdicts.”) They make decisions based on what they can get, such as a bribe.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

with evil motives (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
using a corrupt standard (God’s Word)
-or-
evil/corrupt judges

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SIL Translator's Notes on James 3:11

3:11–12

In 3:11–12, James supported his teaching with illustrations from nature. He showed how inconsistent it is for the same mouth to speak both good and bad words.

3:11

Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?: In Greek, this sentence is more literally, “Does a spring pour out both fresh and bitter water from the same hole?” Notice that the Berean Standard Bible has combined the words “spring” and “hole” into one expression.

This is a rhetorical question. James used this rhetorical question to emphasize that a spring certainly does not give two types of water from the same hole.

Some ways to translate this emphasis are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Can clean water and dirty water both flow from the same spring? (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
A spring does not pour out fresh water and bitter water from the same opening, does it? (NET Bible)
-or-
Fresh water and salt water cannot both flow from the same spring, right?

• As a statement. For example:

No spring of water pours out sweet water and bitter water from the same opening. (Good News Translation)
-or-
Obviously good and bad water do not both flow from the same spring.

Translate this sentence in a way that is natural in your language for emphasizing well-known facts.

fresh water: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as fresh water describes water that tastes good. Some other ways to translate this word are:

good water
-or-
drinking water
-or-
clean water

Some English versions (Good News Translation, King James Version) translate this word as “sweet water.” But this does not mean that the water has been sweetened. It is an expression that means that the water is good to drink.

salt water: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as salt water describes water that tastes foul or bitter. It is water that is not good to drink.

This Greek word does not literally mean salt. Some English versions translate it as salt water:

(a) to contrast it with fresh water,

(b) because the word “salt” occurs in 3:12c where is it contrasted with fresh water, and

Some other ways to translate this word are:

dirty/bad water
-or-
polluted water (God’s Word)
-or-
bitter water
-or-
brackish water (Revised English Bible)

spring: A spring is a source of water where the water flows out from a hole in the ground or rock. Some other ways to translate this word are:

water source
-or-
place where water springs/pours out
-or-
place in the ground where water comes/gushes out

In languages where springs are not known, the word spring can be translated as “a water well.”

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SIL Translator's Notes on James 5:10

Paragraph 5:10–11

James knew that some of his readers were suffering badly. He encouraged them to be patient like the prophets were. This is the second example of patience.

5:10a

Brothers: The word Brothers also occurs in 5:7a and 5:9a.

5:10b

as an example of patience in affliction, take the prophets: James told his readers to remember the prophets of Old Testament days who endured suffering and were patient. His readers should follow the examples of these men. In other words, they should imitate their behavior.

Some other ways to translate this are:

let us imitate the prophets. They were patient when they suffered.
-or-
follow the example of the prophets…. They suffered many hard things, but they were patient. (New Century Version)
-or-
The prophets who patiently endured suffering long ago are a good example for you^(plur) to follow.

patience in affliction: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as patience in affliction is literally “suffering and patience” (as in the Revised Standard Version). Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

They were patient, even when they had to suffer. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
They suffered many hard things, but they were patient. (New Century Version)

patience: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as patience is related to the verb “be patient” in 5:7a,e and 5:8a. Use a word or expression that corresponds to what you used in those verses.

affliction: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as affliction here refers to suffering physical pain caused by others treating them badly. Some other ways to translate this word are:

hardship
-or-
persecution

take the prophets: The phrase take the prophets here means “think about the prophets” or “remember the prophets.” For example:

remember the prophets…. Take them as examples (Good News Translation)
-or-
follow the example of the prophets (New Century Version)

prophets: The word prophets refers to men who spoke on behalf of God. They told people what God revealed to them. God gave some prophets power to work miracles. These miracles helped people realize that God had sent the prophet.

Many prophets were persecuted and even killed, but they remained faithful to God despite their suffering.

Some ways to translate prophets are:

spokesmen for God
-or-
men who speak God’s words
-or-
God’s message-speakers

It is good to use a general term that does not focus only on foretelling the future. Although prophets did foretell the future, they also gave people other messages from God. They especially told them to stop sinning and to obey God.

When choosing a term for prophet, consider how you will distinguish prophet from other words which are similar in meaning such as “angel,” “apostle,” and “preacher.”

5:10c

who spoke in the name of the Lord: The phrase who spoke in the name of the Lord indicates that the prophets spoke with the Lord’s authority. They represented God. James was probably implying that this was the reason for the prophets’ suffering.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

who spoke in the name of the Lord (God’s Word)
-or-
who spoke what God made known to them
-or-
who spoke on behalf of the Lord
-or-
who spoke by the authority of the Lord

the Lord: Here the Lord refers to God, the one with supreme authority. Another way to translate this word is:

the Lord God

This word also occurs in 3:9a.

General Comment on 5:10a–c

In some languages, it may be helpful to change the order of the clauses in this verse. For example:

^10aBrothers, ^10bthink about the prophets. ^10cThey spoke in the name of the Lord, ^10band they were patient when they suffered because of it.
-or-
^10aMy fellow believers! ^10bRemember the prophets ^10cwho brought the Word of the Lord. ^10bThey were patient and withstood suffering. We should follow their example.

Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

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Source: SIL Translator's Notes on James 2012

SIL Translator's Notes on James 4:4

SIL Translator's Notes on James 5:20

SIL Translator's Notes on James 1:19

SIL Translator's Notes on James 2:25

SIL Translator's Notes on James 4:15

SIL Translator's Notes on James 2:4

SIL Translator's Notes on James 3:11

SIL Translator's Notes on James 5:10

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