Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.

JAMES 5:4KJV
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James 5:4 (KJV)

What does James 5:4 mean?

James 5:4 warns that the wages owed to workers who harvested the fields have been unfairly withheld, and these unpaid wages are “crying out” for justice; God hears the pleas of the wronged laborers. The verse shows that God is aware of injustice and will respond to the cries of those who have been cheated.

James, writing to early Christian communities, addresses wealthy landowners who have taken advantage of their workers by not paying them what they are owed. The verse uses vivid language to show that the injustice is so serious that it calls out to God Himself, described here as the “Lord of sabaoth” (a title meaning “Lord of hosts” or “armies”), emphasizing God’s power to act on behalf of the oppressed.

The Greek behind James 5:4

  • ὁ μισθός (misthos, “hire”): This word means the wages or payment due for work. The use here highlights that the issue is not just mistreatment, but specifically the withholding of what is rightfully owed.
  • ἀπεστερημένος (apesterēmenos, “kept back by fraud”): This phrase means to deprive someone of what belongs to them through deceit or unfairness. It underscores that the landowners’ actions are not accidental but deliberate wrongdoing.
  • κράζει (krazei, “crieth”): The Greek word carries the sense of a loud, urgent outcry. The verse personifies the unpaid wages as if they themselves are calling out for justice, not just the workers.
  • κύριος σαβαώθ (kyrios sabaōth, “Lord of sabaoth”): This title, meaning “Lord of hosts,” stresses God’s authority and might, suggesting that those who commit injustice are answerable to the highest power.

Why James 5:4 matters

  • James 5:4 clarifies that God is not indifferent to economic injustice; He hears and responds to the suffering of those who are exploited.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage’s warning to the rich about the consequences of selfishness and oppression, showing that earthly power does not shield anyone from God’s judgment.
  • By using the title “Lord of sabaoth,” James reminds readers that God is powerful enough to defend the powerless and hold wrongdoers accountable.

Where else these words appear

“sabaoth” Greek G4519 · used in 2 verses

  • Romans 9:29 And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.

“fraud” Greek G650 · used in 6 verses

  • Mark 10:19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
  • 1 Corinthians 6:7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?
  • 1 Corinthians 7:5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

“labourers” Greek G2040 · used in 15 verses

  • Matthew 9:37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
  • Matthew 20:2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
  • Acts 19:25 Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.

“reaped” Greek G2325 · used in 17 verses

  • Matthew 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
  • Luke 19:22 And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:
  • 2 Corinthians 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.