James 5:1

Go to now. The sharp rebuke of chapter 4:13 is addressed to those who seek to be rich, without considering God’s plan for their lives. Here, James rebukes those who have attained their material goal and are now rich.

Rich. The immediate context implies that the “rich” are prime examples of men who know of many opportunities to do good but who avoid doing so. Here the “rich” may or may not be church members. James presents the position of the “rich” in proper perspective so that struggling, ill-clothed, poverty-stricken church members may not envy them. There are possessions more profitable and enduring than riches. This judgment upon the rich appropriately follows the discussion of the neglect of God in the pursuit of worldly pleasures in chapter 4. Compare Christ’s estimate of riches (see on Luke 6:24).

Howl. Greek ololuzo, “to cry in distress,” “to lament audibly.”

Miseries. Greek talaiporiai, “hardships,” “distresses,” “miseries.”

Shall come. Literally, “are coming,” but doubtless a futuristic present as in John 14:3 (see comment there). The apostle refers not only to the insecurity that always surrounds an accumulation of riches but also to increasing tensions as the last days of earth’s history draw near (see on verses 3, 7).