King James Version

What Does James 5:3 Mean?

James 5:3 in the King James Version says “Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it we... — study this verse from James chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.

James 5:3 · KJV


Context

1

Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.

2

Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.

3

Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.

4

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.

5

Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. Your gold and silver are corroded (katioōtai, κατιώται); their rust will eat flesh like fire. You hoarded treasure in the last days. James warns that wealth becomes evidence for condemnation.

Reformed eschatology recognizes we live in last days; hoarding betrays disbelief in Christ's return. Stewardship proves eschatological hope.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Economic elites stockpiled metals as security. James asserts that such hoarding in the messianic era signals rebellion. Similar warnings appear in intertestamental literature.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does living in the 'last days' reshape financial planning?
  2. What long-term hoards need to be liquidated for kingdom use?
  3. How can you cultivate contentment instead of stockpiling?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 26 words
1 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

χρυσὸς2 of 26

gold

G5557

gold; by extension, a golden article, as an ornament or coin

ὑμῶν3 of 26

Your

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

καὶ4 of 26

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

5 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἄργυρος6 of 26

silver

G696

silver (the metal, in the articles or coin)

κατίωται7 of 26

is cankered

G2728

to rust down, i.e., corrode

καὶ8 of 26

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

9 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἰὸς10 of 26

the rust

G2447

rust (as if emitted by metals); also venom (as emitted by serpents)

αὐτῶν11 of 26

of them

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

εἰς12 of 26

against

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

μαρτύριον13 of 26

a witness

G3142

something evidential, i.e., (genitive case) evidence given or (specially), the decalogue (in the sacred tabernacle)

ὑμῖν14 of 26

you

G5213

to (with or by) you

ἔσται15 of 26

shall be

G2071

will be

καὶ16 of 26

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

φάγεται17 of 26

shall eat

G5315

to eat (literally or figuratively)

τὰς18 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

σάρκας19 of 26

flesh

G4561

flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e., (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or

ὑμῶν20 of 26

Your

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

ὡς21 of 26

as it were

G5613

which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)

πῦρ22 of 26

fire

G4442

"fire" (literally or figuratively, specially, lightning)

ἐθησαυρίσατε23 of 26

Ye have heaped treasure together

G2343

to amass or reserve (literally or figuratively)

ἐν24 of 26

for

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ἐσχάταις25 of 26

the last

G2078

farthest, final (of place or time)

ἡμέραις26 of 26

days

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of James. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

James 5:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to James 5:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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