James 5 14

James 5:14 kjv

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:

James 5:14 nkjv

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.

James 5:14 niv

Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.

James 5:14 esv

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.

James 5:14 nlt

Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord.

James 5 verses

James 5 14 Meaning

James 5:14 instructs believers to take a specific course of action when experiencing physical illness. It mandates that a sick person actively call for the elders of their local church congregation. These spiritual leaders are then to engage in prayer over the individual, while simultaneously anointing them with oil, all done in the authoritative name of the Lord. The core meaning is an invitation to communal faith-filled action, trusting in God's power through the church's designated leaders for healing.

James 5 14 Context

James 5:14 appears within a practical, pastoral section of the epistle of James (chapter 5). The preceding verses (Jas 5:7-11) encourage patience and endurance through suffering, drawing parallels to agricultural waiting and the perseverance of prophets like Job. Immediately before this verse, James contrasts human oaths with a simple "Yes" or "No" (Jas 5:12), then advises what to do when suffering, cheerful, or sick (Jas 5:13). Jas 5:14-16 forms a direct instruction on responding to illness within the community, connecting prayer, anointing, and confession. The historical and cultural context for early Christians often involved significant suffering, including persecution and physical hardship, making divine intervention through communal support a vital part of their faith. Illness was often viewed with spiritual implications, making the involvement of spiritual leaders natural. "Elders" (presbyteroi) were well-established as mature, experienced leaders in both Jewish synagogues and nascent Christian churches, analogous to wise shepherds for the flock. Anointing with oil had diverse uses in the ancient world, from medicinal purposes to symbolic acts of consecration and hospitality, a background understood by the original Jewish-Christian audience.

James 5 14 Word Analysis

• "Is anyone among you sick?" (ἀσθενεῖ τις ἐν ὑμῖν; asthenei tis en hymin?)
  • ἀσθενεῖ (asthenei): "to be weak," "infirm," "sick." While it can denote general weakness (including spiritual, e.g., Rom 14:1), in this context, the accompanying instruction for healing strongly indicates physical illness or significant physical infirmity. It implies a state beyond common aches, requiring spiritual intervention.
• "Let him call" (προσκαλεσάσθω - proskalesastho)
  • An aorist imperative, denoting an urgent command. "To summon to oneself," "to invite." The sick person initiates this act, signifying their faith, humility, and willingness to seek the Lord's intervention through the designated channels within the church. It is not something imposed on them.
• "the elders" (τοὺς πρεσβυτέρους - tous presbyterous)
  • πρεσβυτέρους (presbyterous): Literally "older ones," but here referring to recognized, mature, and biblically qualified spiritual leaders (pastors/overseers) appointed to oversee and shepherd the local congregation (Tit 1:5, 1 Tim 3:1-7, Acts 20:28). The plural signifies corporate responsibility and the strength of shared faith within leadership.
• "of the church" (τῆς ἐκκλησίας - tēs ekklēsias)
  • ἐκκλησίας (ekklēsias): "Assembly" or "congregation." Refers specifically to the local, gathered community of believers. It emphasizes that this is a communal action taken within the body of Christ, underscoring the corporate responsibility for caring for sick members.
• "and let them pray over him" (καὶ προσευξάσθωσαν ἐπ᾿ αὐτόν - kai proseuxasthōsan ep' auton)
  • προσευξάσθωσαν (proseuxasthōsan): Another aorist imperative, commanding them to "pray." Prayer is the central and primary action.
  • ἐπ᾿ αὐτόν (ep' auton): "over him," often implying a direct focus, proximity, and sometimes physical touch like laying on of hands, although not explicitly stated, common for healing (Mk 16:18, Act 28:8).
• "anointing him" (ἀλείψαντες αὐτὸν - aleipsantes auton)
  • ἀλείψαντες (aleipsantes): "To anoint," "to rub with oil." This Greek word is used for ordinary anointing (e.g., rubbing on ointment for hospitality or hygiene, Mk 16:1). It differs from χρίω (chriō), which usually denotes sacred, messianic anointing or consecration. The usage of aleiphō allows for interpretation that combines both medicinal and symbolic applications of oil in ancient times, where oil was commonly used for soothing, cleaning, and medicinal purposes, as well as a symbol of God's Spirit, blessing, or health. It suggests a practical and spiritual act.
• "with oil" (ἐλαίῳ - elaiō)
  • ἐλαίῳ (elaiō): Refers specifically to olive oil, the most common type of oil in the ancient world.
• "in the name of the Lord" (ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι τοῦ Κυρίου - en tō onomati tou Kyriou)
  • This phrase is crucial. "In the name of" means acting by the authority of, in submission to the power of, and for the purpose of glorifying Jesus Christ, "the Lord." It signifies that the entire act — the calling, the elders' prayer, and the anointing — is not by human power or a ritualistic formula, but by the power and authority derived solely from God through Jesus. This removes any suggestion of superstition or magic, placing the focus squarely on divine power.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for...": Emphasizes the sick person's initiative and the communal responsibility. It's not passive waiting but active seeking.
• "the elders of the church": Highlights the proper spiritual authority and order within the body of Christ for such serious matters, implying a trust in their spiritual maturity and God-given roles.
• "and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil": Connects spiritual action (prayer) with a tangible, symbolic act (anointing), acknowledging both the divine and human aspects of seeking healing. Prayer remains paramount, while anointing acts as an outward expression of faith and a point of contact for the Holy Spirit's work.
• "in the name of the Lord": Unifies and empowers the entire action, confirming that efficacy flows from God's authority and not from human ritual or ability. This is the cornerstone of the efficacy.

James 5 14 Bonus Section

• Holistic View of Sickness: While focusing on physical illness, the Bible often connects the well-being of the body, mind, and spirit. Jas 5:16's mention of confessing sins suggests that sometimes physical ailments can have spiritual roots, but not always (Jn 9:1-3). The care outlined is for the whole person.
• Not a Magic Formula: The instruction is not a guarantee of instant healing in every case, nor a rigid, mystical rite. It is a faithful, Spirit-led response within the context of Christian community and reliance on God's will. It aligns with God's ongoing work through gifts of healing within the church (1 Cor 12:9).
• Balance with Medical Care: This passage does not exclude or condemn the use of medical science. The biblical world had physicians (Col 4:14, Lk 10:34), and there is no contradiction between seeking spiritual intervention and utilizing natural remedies or medical expertise, as both ultimately stem from God's provision. The emphasis is on spiritual first-recourse and faith, recognizing divine authority over all things, including health.
• Elders' Authority: This verse highlights a practical responsibility for elders in the spiritual care and oversight of the congregation, extending beyond teaching to actively ministering to the sick and needy within the church family.

James 5 14 Commentary

James 5:14 presents a profound instruction for how the Christian community is to respond to illness among its members. It's a call to proactive faith, rooted in communal care and reliance on divine power. The passage is not a prescription for "last rites" or extreme unction, as some traditions have interpreted, since the clear intention of the surrounding verses (especially v. 15, "the Lord will raise him up") is healing and restoration to health, not preparation for death.

The sick person's act of "calling for" the elders demonstrates humility, trust in the church's spiritual leadership, and an active step of faith. This is a deliberate seeking of corporate spiritual support. The elders, in turn, are called to the direct and potent spiritual ministry of prayer, embodying the church's collective faith and compassion. Their action is to be both deeply spiritual (earnest prayer) and tangibly expressive (anointing with oil). The oil itself is not mystical but rather symbolic, an outward sign that anciently connoted healing, consecration, or the presence of the Holy Spirit. Its application would be understood by the audience to carry both practical connotations (soothing/medicinal) and deeper spiritual meaning.

Crucially, the entire act is consecrated and empowered "in the name of the Lord." This underscores that the source of healing is God alone, mediated through the authority and power of Jesus Christ. It removes any notion of human magic or inherent power in the oil or the elders themselves, firmly centering the entire event on divine intervention through the faith and obedience of the church. While God is sovereign and always heals according to His perfect will, this verse affirms that faithful corporate prayer and action are God-ordain means for believers to seek and often receive physical restoration.