The Meaning of James 5:14-15⤒🔗

This morning, in our Men’s Bible Study of the Epistle of James, we arrived at James 5:13-20. Most of the discussion dwelled on the role of elders in praying for the sick, and on the use of “anointing oil.” So here’s a short summary of what the Bible says about sickness and healing.

Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. James 5:14-15

This passage is often misunderstood by many evangelicals, and much-abused by Pentecostals and televangelists (like the above snake oil sales pitch).

Why is there sickness?←⤒🔗

1. A consequence of God’s curse upon sin (Gen 3:19)
2. Will only be fully removed from creation at the Second Coming (1 Cor 15:53; Rev 21:4)
3. In God’s mercy, he has provided healing and relief to the sick in two ways: (a) materially, with doctors, medicine, and science; (b) spiritually, through prayers.

What is the duty of the church towards the sick?←⤒🔗

1.  The elders and the church community are to pray for the sick (Jas 5:14)
2. The elders are to visit the sick to comfort and encourage them (Matt 25:39)

Correct interpretation of James 5:14-15←⤒🔗

Oil is a symbol representing the healing power of the Holy Spirit to heal the sick (Exo 28:41; Luke 4:18; Acts 4:27; 10:38; 2 Cor 1:21; Heb 1:9). Double meaning of healing: (1) physical healing, and/or (2) spiritual healing or salvation (Grk sōzō), or growth in the blessings of salvation.

Two errors based on James 5:14-15←⤒🔗

1. Roman Catholic error. In its sacrament of “extreme unction,” where the priest applies oil to the dying, together with a prayer that the sick’s venial sins will be absolved. Wrong because:

1. James speaks of praying for the sick and for life, not for the dying.
2. The prayer and anointing are to be made by the elders, not by priests.

2. Faith healing error. Wrong because:

1. God heals the sick, but not always. Examples in Paul’s life: Paul’s thorn in the flesh; Paul left Trophimus sick in Miletus (2 Tim 4:20); he counseled Timothy to drink a bit of wine for his stomach illness (1 Tim 5:23).
2.  God uses means to heal the sick. Examples: Hezekiah’s life was extended 15 years by means of a lump of figs applied to his boil (Isa 38:21); the Good Samaritan poured oil and wine to the beaten man (Luke 10:34); James commands using oil and prayer.
3.  Healing is according to God’s will. James doesn’t guarantee healing with the use of oil and prayer. Otherwise, sickness will be completely gone. Even Jesus didn’t heal all the sick (Mark 6:5).

What’s a Christian to do when he is sick?←⤒🔗

1.Recognize that sickness is part of this fallen world. It will not be restored until the end (Rom 8:19-23).

2. Examine oneself. Is it because of some sin on his part? (“if he has committed sins” in Jas 5:15) Then confess and repent. If sin is not the perceived cause, pray for healing and thank God anyway (1 Thess 5:18).

3. Ask the church community for prayer.

Spiritual healing is primary over physical healing←⤒🔗

1. One might be physically healed, but if he doesn’t have salvation, it is to no avail.
2. The Bible assures forgiveness and salvation for everyone who truly repents of sin to God and believes in Christ. But not with physical healing.