John Calvin Commentary James 5:8

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

Stablish your hearts. So that no one might object and say that the time of deliverance was too long delayed, he counters this objection and says that the Lord was at hand, or (which is the same thing) that his coming was drawing nigh.

In the meantime, he instructs us to correct the softness of the heart, which weakens us so that we do not persevere in hope. Undoubtedly, the time appears long because we are too tender and delicate. Therefore, we ought to gather strength so that we may become hardened; this cannot be better attained than by hope and, as it were, by a vivid awareness of the near approach of our Lord.