James 5 15

James 5:15 kjv

And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

James 5:15 nkjv

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.

James 5:15 niv

And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.

James 5:15 esv

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.

James 5:15 nlt

Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.

James 5 verses

James 5 15 Meaning

James 5:15 asserts that the "prayer of faith" offered by the elders for the sick will "save" the one who is ill, and the Lord will "raise him up." It further adds a crucial dimension: if the person has committed sins, they will be forgiven. This verse emphasizes the power of prayer, faith, and divine intervention in both physical healing and spiritual restoration within the believing community, often connected with a recognition of sin's potential impact on wellbeing.

James 5 15 Context

James chapter 5 emphasizes patience, endurance in suffering, and the power of prayer within the believing community. Verses 13-18 specifically deal with responding to various life circumstances: singing in joy, praying in suffering, and crucially, seeking the elders for prayer and anointing in illness. The historical context reflects a Jewish-Christian audience struggling with trials and a desire for practical faith that translates into tangible action. It counters potential passive resignation in suffering by providing an active, communal response. The anointing with oil and the prayer of faith were not viewed as magical rituals, but as conduits for God's divine action, emphasizing community responsibility for the afflicted and the Lord's power to intervene.

James 5 15 Word analysis

• And the prayer (εὐχὴ - euchē) of faith (πίστις - pistis):

  • euchē: refers to a specific vow, prayer, or desire addressed to God. Here it's linked to a deeply felt petition.
  • pistis: "faith" is fundamental to James's letter (Jam 1:3, 1:6, 2:1, 2:14-26). It's not mere intellectual assent but a trust in God that prompts action. In this context, it's a confident expectation of God's intervention, not faith in the oil or in the elders, but in God. It is an active and dynamic belief, trusting God's ability and willingness to heal.

• shall save (σῴζω - sōzō):

  • sōzō: A rich Greek word that can mean "to save," "to heal," "to preserve," or "to deliver." In the context of "the one who is sick" (κάμνοντα - kamnonta, often referring to weariness, exhaustion, or illness), sōzō here primarily denotes physical healing or restoration to health, yet it can also subtly carry the connotation of spiritual deliverance given the mention of sin. Its use here broadens the scope of salvation beyond merely spiritual forgiveness to encompass holistic well-being.

• the sick (κάμνοντα - kamnonta):

  • kamnonta: From kamnō, meaning to be weary, ill, or faint. It emphasizes not just physical ailment but perhaps the state of physical exhaustion or debilitation. This aligns with the previous verse's instruction for the "sick among you."

• and the Lord (ὁ Κύριος - ho Kyrios):

  • ho Kyrios: Emphatically "the Lord," referring to Jesus Christ (common in NT) or God the Father. It highlights that the healing and forgiveness originate from divine power, not from the elders or the oil. It underscores God's sovereignty and active involvement.

• shall raise him up (ἐγερεῖ αὐτόν - egerei auton):

  • egerei: "to raise up," "to awaken," or "to rouse." This word is often used for raising from sleep or from the dead (resurrection). Here, it implies a restoration from weakness, lying down in illness, or even from the brink of death. It points to a profound and complete recovery, signifying divine intervention that lifts the person from a prostrate or helpless state.

• and if he has committed (καὶ κἂν ᾖ πεποιηκὼς - kai kan ē pepoiēkōs) sins (ἁμαρτίας - hamartias), they will be forgiven (ἀφεθήσεται αὐτῷ - aphethēsetai autō) him:

  • This is a conditional clause ("if he has committed..."). It does not imply that all sickness is a direct result of personal sin, which Jesus refuted (Jn 9:3). However, it acknowledges that sometimes sin can contribute to or cause physical affliction (1 Cor 11:30, Psa 38:3, Psa 32:3-5), or that the presence of unconfessed sin can hinder one's relationship with God, impacting the effectiveness of prayer.
  • hamartias: The standard term for sins, meaning "missing the mark" of God's law or character.
  • aphethēsetai autō: "it will be forgiven him," a passive construction highlighting that forgiveness is an act of God. It shows that along with physical healing, spiritual healing through forgiveness is available when sin is present and addressed.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "The prayer of faith shall save the sick": This phrase encapsulates the core promise of healing. It highlights that effective prayer is not rote recitation but imbued with genuine, active faith in God's power. The 'saving' here is primarily physical restoration, yet hinting at a broader deliverance. It is not about how the prayer is said, but the faith behind it that makes it effective.
  • "and the Lord shall raise him up": This reiterates and confirms the divine agency in the healing process. The elders pray, but the Lord acts. It removes any potential for human pride or reliance on a ritual. It is a promise of restoration by God Himself, highlighting His power over sickness and death.
  • "and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him": This critical addition clarifies that healing is often intertwined with spiritual well-being and the state of one's relationship with God. It suggests that while not all sickness stems from sin, when it does, the prayer of faith facilitates both physical healing and spiritual forgiveness. It encourages self-examination and confession, demonstrating God's holistic concern for a person's body and soul.

James 5 15 Bonus section

The specific action of "anointing with oil" (verse 14) combined with the "prayer of faith" (verse 15) points to both practical care and spiritual reliance. The oil in biblical times was used for medicinal purposes (Lk 10:34), as a symbol of consecration, or for setting apart, and as a symbol of the Holy Spirit. James seems to combine these, suggesting that both practical care (possibly the medicinal use of oil, though its spiritual significance is often primary in such contexts) and fervent prayer rooted in faith are to be utilized. This passage emphasizes a communal and corporate responsibility within the body of Christ for the physical and spiritual welfare of its members, shifting the burden from the isolated sick person to the spiritual leadership and believing community. The connection between sin and sickness here is conditional, "if he has committed sins," and highlights the spiritual dimension without implying that all suffering is punitive for sin (Job, John 9). God's response encompasses both the physical and the spiritual needs, revealing a compassionate Father who heals wholly.

James 5 15 Commentary

James 5:15 offers a profound theological statement on God's active involvement in the lives of His people, particularly regarding sickness and sin. It commands specific action (elders, prayer, anointing) and promises divine results: physical healing and spiritual forgiveness. The efficacy is tied to "the prayer of faith," emphasizing not the method but the believing trust in God's power. The inclusion of sin and forgiveness is significant, suggesting a holistic view of well-being where physical ailment might sometimes be connected to spiritual estrangement, or simply that God addresses the whole person in His healing work. The Lord's role as the active agent, "raising him up" and "forgiving him," is paramount. This verse does not guarantee healing in every instance (as evidenced by biblical examples like Paul's thorn or Timothy's frequent illnesses), but it establishes the principle that prayer, faith, and community support are potent means through which God chooses to work miracles of restoration and grace. It underscores the communal responsibility for the sick and the merciful nature of God to forgive sins associated with illness or otherwise.

Examples:

• A believer burdened by persistent physical weakness coupled with guilt over past actions might find release through communal prayer, experiencing both physical restoration and peace from forgiveness.
• Someone suffering chronic illness is encouraged to seek elders' prayer, trusting that even if full physical recovery isn't granted, God's grace will sustain them and forgive any related sins, fostering inner peace.