Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary James 5:10

"Take, brethren, for an example of suffering and of patience, the prophets who spake in the name of the Lord." — James 5:10 (ASV)

The second illustration of patience is that of “the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.” In their position as God’s representatives, they experienced affliction and responded to it with long-suffering patience. Although James refers to “the prophets” as a group, Jeremiah certainly stands out as one who endured mistreatment with patience. He was put in the stocks (Jeremiah 20:2), thrown into prison (32:2), and lowered into a miry dungeon (38:6); yet he persisted in his ministry without bitterness or recrimination. Such men constitute an “example” for believers who are oppressed and mistreated.