James 5:14
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The text doesn't present the anointing with oil as a separate, magical treatment, but as an accompaniment to prayer, emphasizing that the true healing comes from "the prayer of faith." The oil itself was likely a common cultural practice, and James is integrating it into a context of spiritual intercession, not prescribing it as the primary means of cure.
James is addressing practical issues faced by believers, shifting from the general call to prayer in suffering (v. 13) to the specific situation of illness. He instructs the sick to involve church leaders by calling for the elders, who are to pray for them and anoint them with oil. This sets the stage for the promise of healing and forgiveness linked to the "prayer of faith" in the following verse.
Understand the original words
presbyteros · Greek Noun
Spiritual leaders or overseers within a local congregation who are tasked with pastoral care, teaching, and governing the church.
aleiphō · Greek Verb
The act of applying olive oil to a person, often symbolizing consecration, healing, or the invocation of the Holy Spirit's presence and power.
This passage shows the disciples anointing the sick with oil and healing them, demonstrating a similar practice of using oil in conjunction with prayer for healing.
Luke 10:34In the parable of the Good Samaritan, oil is used as part of the healing process for the injured traveler, highlighting its ancient association with medical care and relief.
Isaiah 1:6This Old Testament passage mentions wounds being 'mollified with oil,' illustrating the long-standing medicinal use of oil for healing that would have been familiar to James's audience.
1 Timothy 5:17This verse speaks about 'elders who rule well' and the respect due to them, providing context for the role of elders within the early church that James refers to.
1 Corinthians 12:28Paul lists 'gifts of healing' as a spiritual gift within the church, which helps understand the potential supernatural element behind the prayer and anointing described in James.
ellicottJames 5:14: "Is any sick among you? 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:"
(14) The elders of the church — i.e., literally, the presbyters. The identity of “bishop” ( episcopus ) and “presbyter” in the language of the apostolic age seems conclusive. Such is the opinion of Lightfoot ( Epistle to the Philippians, 93-97; see also his Dissertation on the Christian Ministry, ibid., 180-267), and few may hope to gainsay…
expositorsJames 5:14: "Is any sick among you? 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:"
Chapter 27 THE ELDERS OF THE CHURCH-THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK AND EXTREME UNCTION. Jam 5:14-15 Two subjects stand out prominently in this interesting passage-the elders of the Church, and the anointing of the sick. The connection of the passage with what immediately precedes is close and obvious. After charging his readers in general terms t…
The text doesn't present the anointing with oil as a separate, magical treatment, but as an accompaniment to prayer, emphasizing that the true healing comes from "the prayer of faith." The oil itself was likely a common cultural practice, and James is integrating it into a context of spiritual intercession, not prescribing it as the primary means of cure.
James is addressing practical issues faced by believers, shifting from the general call to prayer in suffering (v. 13) to the specific situation of illness. He instructs the sick to involve church leaders by calling for the elders, who are to pray for them and anoint them with oil. This sets the stage for the promise of healing and forgiveness linked to the "prayer of faith" in the following verse.
James is addressing practical issues faced by believers, shifting from the general call to prayer in suffering (v. 13) to the specific situation of illness. He instructs the sick to involve church leaders by calling for the elders, who are to pray for them and anoint them with oil. This sets the stage for the promise of healing and forgiveness linked to the "prayer of faith" in the following verse.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about James 5:14 is available in the Sola app.
"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." — The text doesn't present the anointing with oil as a separate, magical treatment, but as an accompaniment to prayer, emphasizing that the true healing comes from "the prayer of faith." The oil itself…
