Lookahead:  One of Strong’s definitions of the “suffering” word, kakopátheia = Cognate: 2552 kakopátheia – to experience affliction that seems bad (miserable) from an earthly perspective but in actuality is sent by God to accomplish His greater (eternal) purpose.  Just wondering where this cognate or derived definition originated from.  Strong’s gives insight on the origin of kakopátheia, saying it comes from a compound of kakos and pathos, etc….This to me sounds like kakopátheia refers to the result of either a physical or spiritual assault from the enemy; and based on the fact that James 5, verses 7-11 are talking about fruit (which typically symbolizes souls), kakopátheia may be happening due to persecution–which, I think we can all agree–is definitely NOT coming from God.  

Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.  Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.  James 5:7-11

Therefore be patient. The previous verses (from last post) were about despicable people like Herod oppressing the believers IAW the adversary’s diabolical mission to steal, kill, and destroy.  So is James telling us to be patient/endure this slaughter of the innocents? 

That segue word, “therefore,” was used in many of the translations–which seemed to nudge us into interpreting 7-11 along the lines of:  as the innocents who got in a Herod-type’s way, the brethren or brothers should, therefore, have “Patience in Suffering.”  This was further compounded by ~20% of the translations coupling the affliction word with suffering in verse 5:10: “Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience...” (my emphasis)  I usually associate the word “affliction” with painful diseases myself.  Further, verse 11 talks about the perseverance of Job.  And we sure know that Job suffered. 

However, Job is referenced in that passage as a means to an end.  The passage basically says that Job may have suffered (due to the enemy) but God, in His compassion and mercy, gave Job the happy ending that He desired.

In addition and fortunately, regarding the segue word, “therefore,” the Greek Interlinear Translation uses the οὖν or oun Greek word which can mean “therefore,” but it can also mean (Bible Hub, Strong’s):  (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly — and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, verily, wherefore.  (my emphasis)  So verse 7 could be an entirely new thought.

Additionally, the Greek word for “suffering” (kakopátheia) can actually mean “experiencing.”  Subsequently, James 5:7 may not be the main clause of a conditional sentence (i.e., if they have murdered the righteous, still be patient).  Some Biblical scholars, of course, did not agree.  

One of Strong’s definitions of kakopátheia = Cognate: 2552 kakopátheia – to experience affliction that seems bad (miserable) from an earthly perspective but in actuality is sent by God to accomplish His greater (eternal) purpose.

Just wondering where this cognate or derived definition originated from.  Strong’s gives insight on the origin of kakopátheia, saying it comes from a compound of kakos and pathos

Strong’s —  kakos: universally, of a bad nature; not such as it ought to be; a mode of thinking, feeling, acting; base, wrong, wicked: of persons; evil i. e. what is contrary to law, either divine or human, wrong, crime; to do, commit evil; specifically of wrongs inflicted; troublesome, injurious, pernicious, destructive, baneful; substantially equivalent to bad…evil things, the discomforts which plague one, Luke 16:25 (opposed to the good things, from which pleasure is derived). 

HELPS Word-studies — páthos (from 3958 /pásxō, “having strong feelings”) – properly, raw, strong feelings (emotions) which are not guided by God 

Strong’s — pathos: whatever befalls one, whether it be sad or joyous, a passion, a suffering

Other Strong’s definitions of kakopátheia — properly, the suffering of evil, i. e. trouble, distress, affliction: (Malachi 1:13; 2 Macc. 2:26f; (Antiphon); Thucydides 7, 77; Isocrates, Polybius, Diodorus, others).

This to me sounds like kakopátheia refers to the result of either a physical or spiritual assault from the enemy; and based on the fact that James 5, verses 7-11 are talking about fruit (which typically symbolizes souls), kakopátheia may be happening due to persecution–which, I think we can all agree–is definitely NOT coming from God.  

Patience is unarguably required in the midst of persecution.  The world does not receive the Good News well.  And I have about fifty people in my personal life whose salvation I’m believing and praying for…with zero fruit.  But I do believe that it will happen eventually.  In the meantime, my patience is girded up and fortified and fueled by the Holy Spirit.  If it wasn’t for Him, I would have given up years ago.  Subsequently I’m not suffering during the majority of this time.  Of course I have my moments in which the enemy seems to “come in like a flood.”  But the LORD re-frames any rejection or sense of failure I might feel, and helps me to forgive and move on.  

The editor’s “Patience in Suffering” topic heading in the Berean Standard Bible also included a parenthetical reference to the Book of Job 1:1-5. We think of Job and we automatically think of suffering.  So I was, in fact, hesitant to run the reference. 😦 But in reality, the gist of these verses is quite powerful!

When a period of (his children’s) feasting had run its course, Job would make arrangements for them to be purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Job 1:5 (Side Note:  Where did Job get this definition/type of sin?  Can this help us determine when the Book of Job was written?)

Bottom line, Job was interceding for his children’s salvation!  Talk about blameless!

Having said that, Job might not be a glowing example of patience and perseverance in the midst of his paradigm…a paradigm in which the door had not yet been opened by Jesus (to a vast frontier of lofty learning opportunities about the true nature of God v. enemy). Without this pivotal understanding, Job was giving the LORD an earful in the midst of his suffering. At one point, I believe that he was actually asking God to kill him Job 6:8,9 (possibly after only a matter of weeks or a few months).¹

I believe that finally, prior to the his redemption, Job demanded an audience with the Most High.  Would I have done the same without Jesus’ revelations?  Absolutely.  Even with these revelation I have, at times, checked Job’s behavioral response boxes (except for nuh-uh on the killing request).  

But what about the patience of the prophets in the face of suffering?  The prophets, first and foremost, suffered from persecution.  And their responses (as reflected in the Books of the Prophets) were totally exemplary.  Unfortunately persecution is inevitable today for any believer.  Suffering usually takes the form of loneliness, rejection, ostracism and faith challenges.  Some of the prophets never saw their prophecies fulfilled in their lifetimes.  And we may not see the harvest of souls on this side of Glory.  Additionally, it is indeed true that eventually some of the prophets were executed in extremely unpleasant ways.  According to church tradition and Hebrews 11:37, Isaiah was executed  in a sickeningly brutal way.  According to Jesus in Matthew 23:35, Zechariah was murdered between the temple and the altar.  And Jeremiah was imprisoned under extremely spartan conditions before God rescued and redeemed him.  Why the redemption?  Because it was in accordance with the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. James 5:11

In today’s world, the one thing that will get us through this persecution is actually a thing and a person:  GOD = LOVE.  He will give us so much agapē love to give away that any persecution will be worth it.  

In conclusion, I would like to underscore that I do not believe that, as might be implied by James 5:7-11, God is requiring us to endure pain and discomfort and death for Him.  One time, when I was wondering if God would want me to subject myself to further abuse from a (flat-out) workplace bully so that I might win them to Jesus, I felt that He impressed upon me a personal word: “I was crucified so that you would not have to be.”  Then He gave me peace and wisdom in the moment(s) plus He vindicated me IAW Isaiah 54:17 (No weapon that is formed against you will prosper.  Every tongue that rises against you in judgement, (I, as in God) shall prove false.).

In the next post…Grumbling NOT? And The 2024 Status Report Update on…the Coming of the LORD is at hand.    

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¹https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/how-long-did-job-suffer/