James 5:1

“Go to now, ye rich men, etc.] All rich men are not here designed; there are some rich men who are good men, and make a good use of their riches, and do not abuse them, as these here are represented; and yet wicked rich men, or those that were the openly profane, are not here intended neither; for the apostle only writes to such who were within the church, and not without, who were professors of religion; and such rich men are addressed here, who, notwithstanding their profession, were not rich towards God, but laid up treasure for themselves, and trusted in their riches, and boasted of the multitude of their wealth; and did not trust in God, and make use of their substance to his glory, and…”

“WOES COMING ON THE WICKED RICH: BELIEVERS SHOULD BE PATIENT UNTO THE LORD'S COMING: VARIOUS EXHORTATIONS. (Jam. 5:1-20) Go to now--Come now. A phrase to call solemn attention. ye rich--who have neglected the true enjoyment of riches, which consists in doing good. James intends this address to rich Jewish unbelievers, not so much for themselves, as for the saints, that they may bear with patience the violence of the rich (Jam 5:7), knowing that God will speedily avenge them on their oppressors [BENGEL]. miseries that shall come--literally, "that are coming upon you" unexpectedly and swiftly, namely, at the coming of the Lord (Jam 5:7); primarily, at the destruction of Jerusalem; finally, at…”

“Go to now - Notes, James 4:13. Ye rich men - Not all rich men, but only that class of them who are specified as unjust and oppressive. There is no sin in merely being rich; where sin exists peculiarly among the rich, it arises from the manner in which wealth is acquired, the spirit which it tends to engender in the heart, and the way in which it is used. Compare the Luke 6:24 note; 1 Timothy 6:9 note. Weep and howl - Greek: “Weep howling.” This would be expressive of very deep distress. The language is intensive in a high degree, showing that the calamities which were coming upon them were not only such as would produce tears, but tears accompanied with loud lamentations. In the East, it is…”

“Come now, ye rich - The apostle does not speak this so much for the sake of the rich themselves, as of the poor children of God, who were then groaning under their cruel oppression. Weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you - Quickly and unexpectedly. This was written not long before the siege of Jerusalem; during which, as well as after it, huge calamities came on the Jewish nation, not only in Judea, but through distant countries. And as these were an awful prelude of that wrath which was to fall upon them in the world to come, so this may likewise refer to the final vengeance which will then be executed on the impenitent. James 5:2”

“5:1-6 This section denounces the rich people for their greed and arrogant oppression of the poor (Lev 19:13). James warns them to repent while they can; if they do not, they will face terrible troubles . . . on the day of judgment.”

“Go: Jam 4:13 ye: Jam 1:11, Jam 2:6; Deu 8:12-14, Deu 32:15; Neh 9:25, Neh 9:26; Job 20:15-29; Psa 17:14; Psa 49:6-20, Psa 73:3-9, Psa 73:18-20; Pro 11:4, Pro 11:28; Ecc 5:13, Ecc 5:14; Jer 9:23; Mic 6:12; Zep 1:18; Mat 19:23, Mat 19:24; Luk 6:24, Luk 12:16-21, Luk 16:19-25; Ti1 6:9, Ti1 6:10; Rev 6:15-17 weep: Jam 4:9; Isa 13:6, Isa 22:12, Isa 22:13; Jer 4:8; Eze 19:2; Joe 1:5, Joe 1:11, Joe 1:13; Amo 6:6, Amo 6:7; Zac 11:2, Zac 11:3; Luk 6:25, Luk 23:28, Luk 23:29 James 5:2”