Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone in good spirits? He should sing praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint [him] with oil in the name of the Lord, 15 and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful. 17 Elijah was a human being like us; yet he prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain upon the land. 18 Then he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the earth produced its fruit. 19 My brothers, if anyone among you should stray from the truth and someone bring him back, 20 he should know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
Suffering and happiness are essential parts of our human experience, so believers should respond appropriately by praying during times of distress (Phil. 4:6-7) and singing praise (psalms) to God in gratitude during times of joy (Eph. 5:19; Ps. 95:1-2). The community was responsible for caring for both the spiritually and physically sick. Presbyters (elders) in the early Church were leaders appointed by the apostles to oversee and shepherd the Christian communities. They held positions of authority and were responsible for teaching, governing, and providing pastoral care. Presbyters were to pray over the suffering and anoint them with oil “in the name of the Lord,” i.e. with Christ’s authority and power. Their close association with the apostles ensured the continuity of apostolic teaching and governance. While the use of oil was common in ancient medicinal practices, in this context, it takes on a deeper spiritual significance, symbolizing God's healing grace (Mk. 6:13). Anointing of the sick is rooted in this New Testament practice.
The “prayer of faith” can lead to both physical healing and spiritual salvation, recognizing that spiritual well-being is closely linked to physical recovery. The promise that "the Lord will raise him up" can refer to both recovery from illness and the promise of resurrection at the end times. In the ancient world, illness was often viewed as connected to sin (Jn. 5:1-14).
James also encouraged the mutual confession of sins (Acts 19:18) and prayer for one another within the community, emphasizing the importance of spiritual support in healing (Sir. 38:9). The persistent, earnest, and heartfelt prayer of those who live according to God’s will is especially powerful (Prov. 15:29; Ps. 34:16). Through prayer, believers can align with God's will. James uses Elijah as an example of the efficacy of fervent prayer, showing that his earnest prayers could even control the elements (1 Kgs. 17:1; 18:1, 41-45).
Finally, James instructs the community on its responsibility to help those who have strayed from the truth and are no longer living according to Christian teaching. If someone brings back a sinner from apostasy or persistent sin, which can lead to spiritual death, that act of love “will cover a multitude of sins (Prov. 10:12; 1 Pt.4:8).” It is the Church’s role to guide its members back to truth and righteousness.
Heavenly Father, grant us the grace to turn to You in every moment of our lives. Help us to lift our voices in prayer when we are in need and in praise when we are filled with joy. Strengthen our faith, so that our prayers may be fervent and effective, bringing healing, forgiveness, and peace to those around us. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
References
- McSorley, Joseph. An Outline History of the Church by Centuries (From St. Peter to Pius XII). 2nd ed., B. Herder Book Co., 1944.
- Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
- Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
- Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
- Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
- Charpentier, Etienne. How to Read the Old Testament. Translated by John Bowden, 1981.
- Komonchak, Joseph, et al., editors. The New Dictionary of Theology.
- McKenzie, John. Dictionary of the Bible. Collier Books, 1965.
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