James 5:9-11 - Don't grumble against one another

5:9

James gives this instruction in fearsome tones, “Do not grumble against one another, or you will be judged. The judge is standing at the door!” Grumbling against one another is a very human activity, but we are not to spend our time complaining about one another. When we do we set ourselves up as judge, but the real judge is standing at the door, waiting to judge us if necessary.

5:10,11

James then cites the prophets as an example. Few of them were accepted by society, but most were rejected, sometimes suffering much. Complaining can be a substitute for not doing God’s work. The prophets continued to speak the word of God, even if they did so in the face of adversity. Job is cited as an example, and this shows that the Biblical definition of a prophet is somewhat wider than our definition. In the end Job was blessed, and patient perseverance is the best root to blessing.