This passage directs the sick to call for the elders, not just any believer, implying a distinct leadership role and spiritual authority vested in them. It also highlights that the anointing with oil was intended for healing and done "in the name of the Lord," suggesting it was a divinely authorized act, not merely a medicinal one.
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After addressing general endurance in suffering and prayer, James turns to a specific trial: sickness. He instructs the sick person not just to pray privately, but to call for the church elders to pray with them, anointing them with oil. This practice, linked to the healing power of prayer, was a recognized ministry within the early church, distinct from later understandings of extreme unction.
When you're struggling with illness, who do you turn to? This passage gives specific instructions about who to call, and it's not just any friend.
James doesn't tell the sick person to just pray alone. He's instructed to 'call for the elders of the church.' This points to a crucial idea: the church community, through its leaders, has a specific role in caring for its members during times of illness.
Leaders in Spiritual Care
The 'elders' (or 'presbyters') were the recognized spiritual leaders within the early church. They weren't just administrators; they were entrusted with spiritual oversight and care for the congregation. This verse shows that their role wasn't confined to teaching and guidance in health, but extended to ministering to those who were suffering physically.
A Collective Approach to Healing
When the elders are called, they are to 'pray over him' and 'anoint him with oil.' This signifies that the church's response to sickness is meant to be communal and active. It's not just about individual prayer, but about the community, represented by its elders, bringing the needs of the sick member before God. This highlights a holistic approach where spiritual leadership is directly involved in the physical and emotional well-being of believers.
The mention of 'anointing him with oil' might seem unfamiliar. What was its purpose, and what does it signify for us today?
The practice of anointing with oil in the ancient world, and particularly in this context, carried significant meaning.
Ask a follow-up
A Symbolic and Medicinal Practice
Oil, especially olive oil, was common in everyday life in the ancient Near East. It was used for healing, for refreshment, and as a symbol of consecration or blessing. In the context of sickness, it likely served a dual purpose: it could have had medicinal properties to soothe and comfort the afflicted body, and it was also a tangible, visible sign of God's presence and care.
In the Name of the Lord
Crucially, the anointing was not just a physical act; it was done 'in the name of the Lord.' This phrase signifies that the action was performed by the authority and power of Jesus Christ. It wasn't a magical ritual, but an act of faith that invoked God's power and presence through His chosen representatives, the elders. The healing, therefore, was not attributed to the oil itself, but to the prayer of faith offered in Jesus' name, with the oil serving as a visible symbol of that spiritual reality.
This passage promises that 'the prayer of faith shall save the sick.' What does this kind of prayer look like, and what's the connection to forgiveness?
James links the anointing and prayer directly to a powerful outcome: the saving or healing of the sick person.
The Power of Faith-Filled Prayer
The emphasis is on the 'prayer of faith.' This isn't just any prayer; it's a prayer rooted in trust and belief in God's power and willingness to act. It's a prayer offered with the conviction that God can and will intervene. This faith is not passive but active, leading to the prayer of the elders, and it's this prayer that is promised to bring about healing and restoration.
Sickness, Sin, and Restoration
The passage also adds, 'and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.' This suggests a potential link between sickness and sin in the Old Testament understanding, where physical affliction could sometimes be a consequence of disobedience. However, the main point here is that through this prayerful, faithful engagement, forgiveness is offered. This forgiveness not only addresses any potential spiritual cause for the sickness but also signifies complete restoration – not just physical healing but also spiritual reconciliation with God. The Lord raises the person up, encompassing both physical and spiritual well-being.
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.
pistis · Greek Noun
A conviction or trust in God’s power and character. It is not a human effort but a reliance on the promises and will of God to accomplish His purpose.
sōzō · Greek Verb
To be made whole, rescued, or delivered from death or destruction. In a spiritual sense, it refers to salvation from sin, but it also carries the nuance of physical restoration.
hamartia · Greek Noun
A transgression against God's law or a failure to reach His standard of holiness. It creates a breach in the relationship between man and God.
aphiēmi · Greek Verb
The removal of guilt and the restoration of a relationship after an offense. It is a divine act based on the sacrifice of Christ, granting the believer freedom from the penalty of sin.
c. 40s-60s AD— this verse
James' Letter Circulates
The Epistle of James, likely written from Jerusalem, addresses Jewish Christians scattered across the Roman world, offering practical guidance on living out their faith.
c. 40s-60s AD
Early Church Structure Develops
The early church begins to establish leadership roles, with 'elders' (presbyters) emerging as recognized spiritual guides within local congregations.
c. 1st Century AD
Healing and Anointing Practices
Anointing with oil was a common practice in the ancient world, associated with both medicinal and symbolic purposes, including rituals for health and well-being.
c. 1st Century AD
Apostolic Healing Ministry
Jesus and His apostles, including the disciples sent out by Jesus, used various means, including anointing with oil, in their miraculous healing ministries.
This passage describes the disciples anointing many sick people with oil and healing them, showing a direct parallel to the practice mentioned in James and reinforcing the idea of oil as a conduit for healing.
1 Corinthians 12:9This chapter discusses the spiritual gifts given to believers, including the gift of healing, which provides a theological context for why elders might be called upon for prayer and anointing with oil.
Luke 10:34In the parable of the Good Samaritan, oil is used as a medicinal aid to help the wounded man, aligning with the idea of oil being a physical element used in conjunction with divine intervention for healing.
Isaiah 1:6This Old Testament passage speaks of wounds being 'mollified with oil,' demonstrating a long-standing cultural understanding and use of oil for its healing properties, which likely informed the practice in James.
Matthew 9:22Jesus heals a woman who touched his cloak, stating, 'Your faith has made you well,' which echoes James' emphasis on the 'prayer of faith' as the powerful element in the healing process, not just the oil itself.
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…
This passage directs the sick to call for the elders, not just any believer, implying a distinct leadership role and spiritual authority vested in them. It also highlights that the anointing with oil was intended for healing and done "in the name of the Lord," suggesting it was a divinely authorized act, not merely a medicinal one.
After addressing general endurance in suffering and prayer, James turns to a specific trial: sickness. He instructs the sick person not just to pray privately, but to call for the church elders to pray with them, anointing them with oil. This practice, linked to the healing power of prayer, was a recognized ministry within the early church, distinct from later understandings of extreme unction.
After addressing general endurance in suffering and prayer, James turns to a specific trial: sickness. He instructs the sick person not just to pray privately, but to call for the church elders to pray with them, anointing them with oil. This practice, linked to the healing power of prayer, was a recognized ministry within the early church, distinct from later understandings of extreme unction.
"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…" — This passage directs the sick to call for the elders, not just any believer, implying a distinct leadership role and spiritual authority vested in them. It also highlights that the anointing with oil…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
