Matthew Poole and continuators on James 5:1

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

See chap. 4.13.

He speaks to them not simply, as rich, (for Riches and Grace sometimes may go together) but as wicked, not only wallowing in VVealth, but abusing it to Pride, Luxury, Oppression, and Cruelty. Against these, either as looking on them as incurable, or upon Supposition of their Impenitency, he denounceth God's Judgments; and that whether they were unconverted Iews vexing the believing Iews; or Gentiles, oppressing the Christian Iews; or Christians in Profession and Name, who yet were so vile in their Practice, as to condemn, and kill the Iust; and that they might more speciously do it, to draw them before the Judgment-Seats, &c.

To denote the extremity of the Calamities coming upon them, in which they should not only weep like Men, but howl like wild Beasts. See Ier. 4.8. Mich. 1.8. Ioel 1.10, 13.

Or, are coming upon you; to signifie the certainty and nearness of them. The Miseries he means, may be both temporal and eternal.

Marginal references: Prov. 11.28. Luke 6.24. 1 Tim. 6.9.