James 5:2
James 5:2 in Multiple Translations
Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes.
Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.
Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten.
Your wealth is unclean and insects have made holes in your clothing.
Your wealth is ruined, and your clothes have been eaten by moths.
Your riches are corrupt, and your garments are moth eaten.
your riches have rotted, and your garments have become moth-eaten;
Your riches are corrupted and your garments are moth-eaten.
Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten.
Your riches are corrupted: and your garments are motheaten.
Your wealth of various kinds is worthless [MET], as though it were rotted. Your fine clothes are worthless [MET], as though termites had ruined them.
All your money and clothes, and those things you got for yourself, they will all become useless. They will rot away. Or they will rust away. Or white ants will eat them. God will see that rusty rotten mess, and he will say that you are too greedy, and he will punish you with big trouble. It will be like a fire burning up your body. You thought you could keep all that stuff for a long time, but you will not have it for very long.
Berean Amplified Bible — James 5:2
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
James 5:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Greek Word Reference — James 5:2
Study Notes — James 5:2
- Context
- Cross References
- James 5:2 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on James 5:2
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on James 5:2
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on James 5:2
- Trapp's Commentary on James 5:2
- Ellicott's Commentary on James 5:2
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on James 5:2
- Cambridge Bible on James 5:2
- Barnes' Notes on James 5:2
- Whedon's Commentary on James 5:2
- Sermons on James 5:2
Context — A Warning to the Rich
2Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes.
3Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire. You have hoarded treasure in the last days. 4Look, the wages you withheld from the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matthew 6:19–20 | Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. |
| 2 | Job 13:28 | So man wastes away like something rotten, like a moth-eaten garment. |
| 3 | Luke 12:33 | Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide yourselves with purses that will not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. |
| 4 | Isaiah 50:9 | Surely the Lord GOD helps Me. Who is there to condemn Me? See, they will all wear out like a garment; the moths will devour them. |
| 5 | Isaiah 51:8 | For the moth will devour them like a garment, and the worm will eat them like wool. But My righteousness will last forever, My salvation through all generations.” |
| 6 | 1 Peter 1:4 | and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you, |
| 7 | Psalms 39:11 | You discipline and correct a man for his iniquity, consuming like a moth what he holds dear; surely each man is but a vapor. Selah |
| 8 | Jeremiah 17:11 | Like a partridge hatching eggs it did not lay is the man who makes a fortune unjustly. In the middle of his days his riches will desert him, and in the end he will be the fool.” |
| 9 | Hosea 5:12 | So I am like a moth to Ephraim, and like decay to the house of Judah. |
| 10 | James 2:2 | Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. |
James 5:2 Summary
This verse is saying that the wealth and riches we accumulate on earth are temporary and will eventually decay, just like clothes that moths eat through. It's a reminder to prioritize what truly lasts, like our relationship with God and the impact we have on others, as seen in Matthew 6:19-20. We should use our resources to serve others and honor God, rather than just accumulating wealth for ourselves. By doing so, we can build eternal riches that will never decay, as encouraged in 1 Timothy 6:18-19.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for riches to have 'rotted'?
In James 5:2, riches rotting refers to the decay and corruption of earthly wealth, which is contrasted with the eternal riches of heaven, as mentioned in Matthew 6:19-20. This decay is not just physical, but also spiritual, as it leads to further corruption and separation from God.
Why does the verse mention moths eating clothes?
The image of moths eating clothes in James 5:2 is a metaphor for the impermanence and fleeting nature of earthly possessions, as also seen in Isaiah 51:8, where moth-eaten garments symbolize the transience of human achievements. This serves as a reminder to prioritize eternal, spiritual wealth over temporary, earthly riches.
Is this verse saying that all wealth is bad?
No, James 5:2 is not condemning wealth itself, but rather the corrupting influence it can have when prioritized over God and used for selfish purposes, as warned in 1 Timothy 6:10. The problem lies not in the wealth, but in the heart's attachment to it, as Jesus taught in Matthew 6:24.
How does this verse relate to my life as a Christian?
As a Christian, James 5:2 calls you to examine your priorities and ensure that your heart is not attached to earthly riches, but rather to the eternal riches of heaven, as encouraged in Colossians 3:2. This verse encourages you to use your wealth and resources in a way that honors God and advances His kingdom.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I prioritize earthly wealth over spiritual riches in my daily life?
- How can I use my resources to serve others and advance God's kingdom, rather than simply accumulating wealth?
- In what ways have I seen the corrupting influence of wealth in my own life or in the lives of those around me?
- What steps can I take to ensure that my heart is not attached to earthly riches, but rather to the eternal riches of heaven?
Gill's Exposition on James 5:2
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on James 5:2
Matthew Poole's Commentary on James 5:2
Trapp's Commentary on James 5:2
Ellicott's Commentary on James 5:2
Adam Clarke's Commentary on James 5:2
Cambridge Bible on James 5:2
Barnes' Notes on James 5:2
Whedon's Commentary on James 5:2
Sermons on James 5:2
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Epistle 214 by George Fox | George Fox preaches about the power of the Lord God being over those who pray sincerely, contrasting it with those who pray insincerely with an earthly, dark spirit. He warns again |
|
Behaviors That Bind Us by Charles Stanley | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of teaching children that their sense of security comes from a relationship with God, rather than material possessions. The sp |
|
The Redeemer Is Coming to Zion by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of truly knowing Jesus and not just using His name. He warns against the deception of prosperity gospel and the focus on mate |
|
Short Excerpt by William Booth | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the power of salvation and its ability to deliver and purify the soul. The sermon encourages the listener to find joy in the salvation offer |
|
All This and Heaven Too by Vance Havner | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of lost decisions in the Bible. He mentions Abraham and Moses as examples of individuals who made important decisions. The preach |
|
"Embarrassment to a Holy God" by Leonard Ravenhill | This sermon challenges the modern Church to reflect on the early Christians who, despite lacking grand resources or platforms, were able to turn the world upside down with their fa |
|
Judgement Seat - Part 2 by Leonard Ravenhill | Leonard Ravenhill emphasizes the significance of our lives and actions in the context of the Judgment Seat of Christ, where every believer will be held accountable for their servic |






