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A Warning to the Rich
James gives a severe warning to rich people whose wealth is tied to injustice. He speaks of coming misery, ruined possessions, unpaid workers, luxury, and violence against the righteous.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
This part of James is direct teaching in a letter. He addresses “you rich” and describes both their possessions and their actions. The passage moves from a warning about coming misery to specific charges: hoarding, fraud against labourers, self-indulgence, and condemning the righteous before the Lord of Armies.
James 5:1–6Main takeaway
James warns that wealth used selfishly and unjustly becomes evidence against those who oppress others.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Coming misery for the richJames begins with a command to weep and howl because miseries are coming. The warning is aimed at “you rich”, and it presents their future as deeply troubled.
Explanation
James begins with a command to weep and howl because miseries are coming. The warning is aimed at “you rich”, and it presents their future as deeply troubled. Their present wealth does not shield them from what is coming.
02Wealth that turns against its ownerRiches are called corrupted, garments moth-eaten, and gold and silver corroded. James uses these pictures to show that stored wealth is failing rather than securing them.
Explanation
Riches are called corrupted, garments moth-eaten, and gold and silver corroded. James uses these pictures to show that stored wealth is failing rather than securing them. He says the corrosion will testify against them, and he adds that they have laid up treasure in the last days.
03Unpaid wages cry outJames names a clear wrong. Labourers mowed fields and reaped crops, but their wages were kept back by fraud.
Explanation
James names a clear wrong. Labourers mowed fields and reaped crops, but their wages were kept back by fraud. The withheld wages cry out, and the cries of the workers have entered the ears of the Lord of Armies. Their injustice is not hidden from God.
04Luxury, indulgence, and the righteous oneJames says these rich people have lived in luxury and taken their pleasure on the earth. He says they have nourished their hearts “as in a day of slaughter”, an image linked to self-indulgence in the verse.
Explanation
James says these rich people have lived in luxury and taken their pleasure on the earth. He says they have nourished their hearts “as in a day of slaughter”, an image linked to self-indulgence in the verse. Then he accuses them of condemning and murdering the righteous one, who does not resist them.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What images does James use for wealth, clothing, and precious metals, and what do those images show?
02What specific injustice does James name against the labourers?
Look for what was withheld, how it was withheld, and whose ears finally hear the cries.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
James 5:1–6
1Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming on you.
2Your riches are corrupted and your garments are moth-eaten.
3Your gold and your silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be for a testimony against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up your treasure in the last days.
4Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you have kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of those who reaped have entered into the ears of the Lord of Armies.
5You have lived in luxury on the earth, and taken your pleasure. You have nourished your hearts as in a day of slaughter.
6You have condemned and you have murdered the righteous one. He doesn’t resist you.