Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary James 5:5

"Ye have lived delicately on the earth, and taken your pleasure; ye have nourished your hearts in a day of slaughter." — James 5:5 (ASV)

The third charge against the rich is that they have lived “in luxury [GK 5587] and self-indulgence [GK 5059].” These two words are synonyms, though there is a shade of difference between them. The first refers to a soft, enervating luxury that tends to demoralize; the second word describes extravagant and wasteful self-indulgence. Both have immoral associations. In their unrestrained indulgence, the rich had “fattened” themselves for “the day of slaughter”—a designation of the day of judgment (Jeremiah 12:3). James uses graphic imagery to indicate that the rich are on the brink of judgment. They were like cattle completely unaware of their impending destruction.