Charles Ellicott Commentary James 5:8

"Be ye also patient; establish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord is at hand." — James 5:8 (ASV)

The coming of the Lord draweth nigh.—Read thus, The presence of the Lord is near.

For the ancient belief in the nearness of Christ’s second advent, see Note above, in James 5:3. The word used by the Apostle to describe its closeness is the same as that used in Matthew 3:2: The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

The afflicted are therefore to establish, or rather strengthen, their hearts. If “comfort” retained its older sense, that would express the true idea. Compare the great prophecy of Israel’s consolation (Isaiah 40:0 and following).