The Study James 5:10 Take, my brothers, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. 1. God visits with sickness to cause careless sinners to bethink themselves concerning their souls' estate, who, perhaps, never had a serious thought about it before. 2. God visits us with sickness in order to instruct and teach us things we know not (Psalm 90:12). The path of the cross is the path of light. 3. God sends such trials and distresses in order to mortify and kill sin in us. 4. God sends sickness to awaken in us the spirit of prayer and supplication, and make us more earnest and importunate in our addresses to the throne of grace. 5. Another end is to loosen our hearts from the things of the world, and cause us to look and long for heaven. 6. God designs to make the world bitter, and Christ sweet to us. 7. God visits with sickness and distress in order both to prove and improve His people's graces (Deuteronomy 8:2; Revelation 2:10). Grace is hereby both tried and strengthened. 8. God's aim is to awaken us to redeem time, to prepare for flitting, and clear up our evidence for heaven. (The Study.) Parallel Verses KJV: Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. |
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