James 5

I struggle with reading this chapter "contextually" since James seems to go on a variety of tangents.

It begins with a warning to the rich oppressors who take advantage of their status.  This does tie back to the beginning of the book when he discusses the oppressed poor.

James then discusses how people should be patient in suffering.  He uses the example of Job to illustrate this point.  

It comes across as non sequitur, but after discussing patience in suffering, he mentions that people should not "swear", but rather let their "yes" be "yes" and "no" be "be".  

He concludes the chapter with encouraging faith and prayer.  People who are sick should be prayed for or anointed with oil.  This of course is not an exhaustive list for how to pray for those who are sick, but he encourages people to live on their faith.

Overall, the book of James an feel a little odd since it is hard to parse out a common theme.  He goes on various tangents at certain portions.  If there was one central arching theme to James, it is living out faith.  The tone is generally softer than 1 Corinthians where Paul writes from heartbreak. James gives general advice and it is reflected in the tone.

 In terms of living out the faith, some of the main things we see are 

1.  Faith without works is dead,

2.  Pray for healing,

3.  Pray if you have needs as opposed to creating strife and envy,

4.  Tame the tongue and be wise, use the wisdom of heaven,

5.  Helping the poor