5:1-6 Are the rich James addresses here believers as some think?
5:1-6 Are the rich James addresses here believers as some think?
No, these are the wicked rich James referred to in Ch 2 who oppressed poor believers and defrauded them (CP 2:5-7 with Lev 19:13; De 24:14-15; Pr 11:28).
In Jas 5:1-6 James is warning the wicked rich of the punishment that is awaiting them on judgement day.
The corrupted wealth which they have accumulated at the expense of the poor will witness against them when they are judged. It will eat their flesh like fire, which implies that it will send them to hell (CP Lu 6:24-25; 16:19-31; 1Ti 6:9-10).
To emphasize the impending doom of the wicked rich, James charges them with condemning and murdering innocent Christians who were powerless to resist them. Killed in Jas 5:6 means murdered, killed unjustly (CP 5:6 with Mt 5:21; 19:18; Mk 10:19; Jas 2:11; 4:2).