James 5:14

Sick. That is, physically. In verse 13 the reference was to general affliction, hardships.

Let him call. The sick one is encouraged to take the initiative in calling for a special prayer service.

Elders. Greek presbuteroi (see on Acts 11:30).

Pray. Although “men ought always to pray” (see on Luke 18:1), they should feel increased need of prayer when sick. Often hope and confidence weaken during times of physical distress. Accordingly, Christ would have His servants administer His healing balm and reassuring love. Genuine prayer is one manifestation of man’s endeavor to understand God’s plan and to cooperate with it (see on Matthew 6:8; Luke 11:9).

Anointing. Greek aleipho, “to anoint,” “to smear,” “to rub” (cf. Mark 6:13, where aleipho is also used of “anointing the sick”).

The early church most certainly did not attach any sacramental efficacy to the ceremony of anointing, though the church later used supposedly “holy oil” as a substitute for pagan magic, in an attempt to heal the sick. By the 8th century this passage of Scripture had come to be used in support of the practice of what Catholics today call extreme unction, or the last rites of the church for the dying. The Council of Trent in its fourteenth session, 1551, officially declared that James here teaches the sacramental efficacy of the oil.

Name of the Lord. Men are only the instruments; the miracles of restored health and the forgiveness of sin are wrought in the name of Jesus Christ (see Mark 16:17; see on Acts 3:16). The complete service, including the application of the oil and the offering of the prayer, must be done in harmony with the will of the Lord.

Prayer offered for any purpose is a serious undertaking, for it implies that a man is sincerely willing to cooperate with God and to obey all of His commandments. A lack of complete sincerity invalidates any prayer (see on Psalm 66:18). Consequently, the sick member cannot expect God’s blessing apart from a sincere purpose to abandon practices which may, in part at least, have caused his illness, and henceforth to live in harmony with the laws of health.

Furthermore, requests are to be made in harmony with God’s will, for no man knows what is best for another (see on Romans 8:26). Some of the most necessary and precious lessons of life are learned in the crucible of suffering (cf. Hebrews 2:10), and it may therefore be that, even though God does not cause suffering (see on James 1:13), He may see best to permit it to continue for a time (see MH 230). Accordingly, prayer for the sick should be offered in trust and submission, with quiet confidence in a wise heavenly Father who knows what is best and who never makes a mistake. Every intelligent Christian prayer of request, therefore, will include the submissive thought, “Thy will be done” (see on Matthew 6:10; James 4:15; cf. MH 229-231).