13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. 14 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. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. 19 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.
Commentary
Vs. 13 To conclude his epistle the Apostle James will now close with some practical exhortations meant too restore believers back to a right standing with God and each other. And so at the heart of them all is prayer, confession, and thanksgiving. And so the Apostle James begins by mentioning suffering. "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray." Now the word James uses here for suffering is the same word he used in 5:10 of the prophets who suffered for their faith in God. The Apostle Paul also uses it in the same way of his own sufferings for the Gospel (2 Tim 2:9), to which he exhorts Timothy to join with him in the same (2 Tim 4:5). Those are the only occurrences of this word in the N.T. And so for us James maybe using it in that restrictive way here, or more likely, he is probably using it in a very encompassing way so as too leave all possibilities open. And so whether one is suffering for their faith in Jesus, or because of some sort of illness, or affliction, or even suffering God's chastisement in their lives because of some sin that has not been confessed and forsaken etc. Our first response too suffering in our lives should be to pray. To seek God, not only for comfort and consolation, but also for wisdom and understanding, as to why these things are. Though answers may not always be speedily coming as was the case with Job, where his prolonged sufferings not only changed him, but also exposed some really bad theology that his three friends wrongly held, and sadly used against him. Therefore if anyone is suffering, whether for their faith In Jesus Christ, or for other reasons, the Apostle James says let him first pray. For it is in prayer to God that one gains fortitude, perseverance, and understanding as too how to carry on, as well as potential insight into what God is doing, or accomplishing through our sufferings Thus during times of suffering, prayer is the place where the Godly person finds their refuge in the Lord
(consider Psalm 46; 57:1-11; 59; 61:1-4; 62:5-8; 71:1-24; 102; 124; 141:8; 142; 143 etc.).
Next James says, "If anyone is cheerful, let him sing Psalms." The word here indicates being encouraged, which maybe because of deliverance from some sort of affliction or trial, or maybe because of someone just being there for you in your time of need. Whatever the reasons, when God makes you joyful, it is most fitting and joyful to sing His praises, as the Psalms say, "Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful." Psalm 147:1
Vs. 14-18 14 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. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.
In this section the Apostle James again begins by addressing suffering. Here though he is making a connection between being sick and one having sinned. We know this by the context of the passage which is linking ones being healed with ones prayer of faith (vs. 14-15). And so what is stated here is not some generalized formula promising healing to one and to all simply because one goes to the church elders and they pray over them and anoint them with oil. Instead what is being given to us here is instructions on how we are to deal with sin, and a sickness directly related to it, in our own lives. And so in vs. 16 the Apostle James clearly links ones being ill with having sinned and not confessed it. Thus the sickness here is something brought on by the will of God to bring about a persons repentance, confession, and ultimately restoration. Therefore as the Apostle James exhorts here we are too, "Confess our trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." vs 16
Thus both confessing our sins to one another, when we sin against each other, and praying for one another is a pathway to not only ones healing when one is being chastened by the Lord. It is critical too maintaining healthy Christian relationships in any church, or anywhere else. For brotherly love, unity, and peace cannot flourish where known offenses are knowingly left unresolved. Indeed all that does is grieve the Holy Spirit and leave the individual, or church collectively, ineffective and Spiritually powerless. Therefore instead of by-passing this critical step to Christian maturity, we all must learn to embrace it, and practice it, in a spirit of brotherly kindness, love, and reconciliation.
For as James says here "the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much". Much in every way then does the righteous person's prayer effect healing for one who is afflicted as one seeks to get right with God and their fellow brethren. And so to make his point on this point, the Apostle James sights Elijah, the righteous prophet of God who prayed that it would not rain, and it did not rain for three years, then he prayed again to God for the rains, and they came (see 1 Kings 17:1, 18:1). And so to reiterate, what the Apostle James is promising here is not carte-blanche healing for every disease, sickness, and malady that people incur. Rather he is promising that those who have sinned and make earnest confession and supplication to the Lord about there sin, renouncing it, and when it is appropriate to do so confessing it to the offended party, will find for themselves the healing of the Lord.
Vs. 19-20 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.
To conclude his epistle the Apostle James gives us one finial exhortation, that in many ways encompasses just what Jesus came to do, to seek and save all who have strayed from God the Father (Luke 15:1-32). And so James says to us all as a matter of encouragement, "Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins."
And so if any believer turns back one who has wandered the truth, they will as James says here, not only save a sinner from the error of his ways, but will also save his soul from death, and in so doing cover a multitude of sins. Not their own sins, but the sins of the repentant sinner will be covered under the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. And that brethren is a fundamental ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ that He wills to work through our own lives, to turn people away from their sins and back to Himself. Indeed that is what God's shepherds, and Godly people likewise want to do. Seek out and restore to a right relationship with God, and others, who have gone astray. And that is why the Gospel preacher preaches. Or Bible teacher teaches. Or the missionary goes to those far-off and hard places. To turn people back to the truth, as Jesus said to the Apostle Paul when He commissioned him as His witness and Apostle; "to turn people from the powers of darkness to the powers of light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me." (See Acts 26:15-18).
I don't where your at today, near to God or far away. But I know this that the Lord Jesus Christ suffered crucifixion death to bring you (and me) near to God through Himself. For He has fulfilled God's required blood atonement of all of our sins by the death of Himself on the cross. And having paid our sins penalty on the cross through His death and shed blood the Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead to take back the power of death from him who held it, that is the devil. So that anyone who believes in Him will be set apart from sin, death, and judgment, so as to be sanctified by God's Spirit, and thus be set apart for God's holy and eternal purposes In Christ, all by faith in His Person. For that is the marvelous gift and work of God that Jesus has accomplished for us all who believe, everlasting life! Which requires, no demands, our unconditional trust in the Lord Jesus Christ's Person. Everything else then being an outworking of our faith in Him. If you have not yet received remission of all your sins and everlasting life by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ's Person. Then please do so, for there is nothing more freeing, satisfying and truly soul gratifying then receiving life through faith in Jesus Christ. Therefore open your heart to Him for His heart is always open to you, and He is seeking you to bring you safely back to God in peace (Rev 3:20). All you have to do is say Yes Lord Jesus I believe in You and want You to come into my heart and life to be my Lord and Savior, amen.
Scripture Citations
Word Studies
Suffering: Louw Nida 24.89
24.89 κακοπαθέω; κακοπάθεια, ας f: to suffer physical pain, hardship and distress—‘to suffer distress, to suffer pain, suffering hardship.’
Additional Resources Consulted
MacDonald, William. Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. Edited by Arthur Farstad. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995.
Commentary
Vs. 13 To conclude his epistle the Apostle James will now close with some practical exhortations meant too restore believers back to a right standing with God and each other. And so at the heart of them all is prayer, confession, and thanksgiving. And so the Apostle James begins by mentioning suffering. "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray." Now the word James uses here for suffering is the same word he used in 5:10 of the prophets who suffered for their faith in God. The Apostle Paul also uses it in the same way of his own sufferings for the Gospel (2 Tim 2:9), to which he exhorts Timothy to join with him in the same (2 Tim 4:5). Those are the only occurrences of this word in the N.T. And so for us James maybe using it in that restrictive way here, or more likely, he is probably using it in a very encompassing way so as too leave all possibilities open. And so whether one is suffering for their faith in Jesus, or because of some sort of illness, or affliction, or even suffering God's chastisement in their lives because of some sin that has not been confessed and forsaken etc. Our first response too suffering in our lives should be to pray. To seek God, not only for comfort and consolation, but also for wisdom and understanding, as to why these things are. Though answers may not always be speedily coming as was the case with Job, where his prolonged sufferings not only changed him, but also exposed some really bad theology that his three friends wrongly held, and sadly used against him. Therefore if anyone is suffering, whether for their faith In Jesus Christ, or for other reasons, the Apostle James says let him first pray. For it is in prayer to God that one gains fortitude, perseverance, and understanding as too how to carry on, as well as potential insight into what God is doing, or accomplishing through our sufferings Thus during times of suffering, prayer is the place where the Godly person finds their refuge in the Lord
(consider Psalm 46; 57:1-11; 59; 61:1-4; 62:5-8; 71:1-24; 102; 124; 141:8; 142; 143 etc.).
Next James says, "If anyone is cheerful, let him sing Psalms." The word here indicates being encouraged, which maybe because of deliverance from some sort of affliction or trial, or maybe because of someone just being there for you in your time of need. Whatever the reasons, when God makes you joyful, it is most fitting and joyful to sing His praises, as the Psalms say, "Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful." Psalm 147:1
Vs. 14-18 14 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. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.
In this section the Apostle James again begins by addressing suffering. Here though he is making a connection between being sick and one having sinned. We know this by the context of the passage which is linking ones being healed with ones prayer of faith (vs. 14-15). And so what is stated here is not some generalized formula promising healing to one and to all simply because one goes to the church elders and they pray over them and anoint them with oil. Instead what is being given to us here is instructions on how we are to deal with sin, and a sickness directly related to it, in our own lives. And so in vs. 16 the Apostle James clearly links ones being ill with having sinned and not confessed it. Thus the sickness here is something brought on by the will of God to bring about a persons repentance, confession, and ultimately restoration. Therefore as the Apostle James exhorts here we are too, "Confess our trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." vs 16
Thus both confessing our sins to one another, when we sin against each other, and praying for one another is a pathway to not only ones healing when one is being chastened by the Lord. It is critical too maintaining healthy Christian relationships in any church, or anywhere else. For brotherly love, unity, and peace cannot flourish where known offenses are knowingly left unresolved. Indeed all that does is grieve the Holy Spirit and leave the individual, or church collectively, ineffective and Spiritually powerless. Therefore instead of by-passing this critical step to Christian maturity, we all must learn to embrace it, and practice it, in a spirit of brotherly kindness, love, and reconciliation.
For as James says here "the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much". Much in every way then does the righteous person's prayer effect healing for one who is afflicted as one seeks to get right with God and their fellow brethren. And so to make his point on this point, the Apostle James sights Elijah, the righteous prophet of God who prayed that it would not rain, and it did not rain for three years, then he prayed again to God for the rains, and they came (see 1 Kings 17:1, 18:1). And so to reiterate, what the Apostle James is promising here is not carte-blanche healing for every disease, sickness, and malady that people incur. Rather he is promising that those who have sinned and make earnest confession and supplication to the Lord about there sin, renouncing it, and when it is appropriate to do so confessing it to the offended party, will find for themselves the healing of the Lord.
Vs. 19-20 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.
To conclude his epistle the Apostle James gives us one finial exhortation, that in many ways encompasses just what Jesus came to do, to seek and save all who have strayed from God the Father (Luke 15:1-32). And so James says to us all as a matter of encouragement, "Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins."
And so if any believer turns back one who has wandered the truth, they will as James says here, not only save a sinner from the error of his ways, but will also save his soul from death, and in so doing cover a multitude of sins. Not their own sins, but the sins of the repentant sinner will be covered under the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. And that brethren is a fundamental ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ that He wills to work through our own lives, to turn people away from their sins and back to Himself. Indeed that is what God's shepherds, and Godly people likewise want to do. Seek out and restore to a right relationship with God, and others, who have gone astray. And that is why the Gospel preacher preaches. Or Bible teacher teaches. Or the missionary goes to those far-off and hard places. To turn people back to the truth, as Jesus said to the Apostle Paul when He commissioned him as His witness and Apostle; "to turn people from the powers of darkness to the powers of light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me." (See Acts 26:15-18).
I don't where your at today, near to God or far away. But I know this that the Lord Jesus Christ suffered crucifixion death to bring you (and me) near to God through Himself. For He has fulfilled God's required blood atonement of all of our sins by the death of Himself on the cross. And having paid our sins penalty on the cross through His death and shed blood the Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead to take back the power of death from him who held it, that is the devil. So that anyone who believes in Him will be set apart from sin, death, and judgment, so as to be sanctified by God's Spirit, and thus be set apart for God's holy and eternal purposes In Christ, all by faith in His Person. For that is the marvelous gift and work of God that Jesus has accomplished for us all who believe, everlasting life! Which requires, no demands, our unconditional trust in the Lord Jesus Christ's Person. Everything else then being an outworking of our faith in Him. If you have not yet received remission of all your sins and everlasting life by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ's Person. Then please do so, for there is nothing more freeing, satisfying and truly soul gratifying then receiving life through faith in Jesus Christ. Therefore open your heart to Him for His heart is always open to you, and He is seeking you to bring you safely back to God in peace (Rev 3:20). All you have to do is say Yes Lord Jesus I believe in You and want You to come into my heart and life to be my Lord and Savior, amen.
Scripture Citations
Word Studies
Suffering: Louw Nida 24.89
24.89 κακοπαθέω; κακοπάθεια, ας f: to suffer physical pain, hardship and distress—‘to suffer distress, to suffer pain, suffering hardship.’
Additional Resources Consulted
MacDonald, William. Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. Edited by Arthur Farstad. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995.
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