James 5:13-20

James 5:13-20

 James concludes his short letter with three points so critical for people under difficult circumstances. Forgive the alliteration, but James concludes with praise, prayer, and persuasion. Praise is mentioned second and only in a single line. In a life of hardship and persecution, the moments of joy may be rare and must be celebrated. This is not an attempt to artificially gin up positive feelings but the honest response to the moments of joy. The praise of the one singing can positively impact fellow believers. In the early church, singing was not a concert or entertainment but an expression of faith, hope, and love.

If anyone is sick and/or suffering, they need prayer. Jewish thought associated illness with sin. While James does not endorse that idea, he makes a point that sometimes physical illness and spiritual need go hand-in-hand. In fact, we are sometimes obtuse to our own evil till suffering. Our sickness forces us out of our spiritual stupor. The anointing of oil has been explained in a number of ways. Most likely it reflects the designation of a person on whom is the calling or favor of God. Not magic or medicine, but being the anointed one means the one singled out. The prayers of the righteous person are powerful. Two words in vs. 16 are worth noting: “effective” and “accomplish” (NASB). The word effective means “strengthened to get in the fight.” It carries the implication that we are restored for the purpose of serving. The word accomplished is a compound word that comes from “engage in” and “work.” It is the word energy in Greek. The point is that healing is so we can serve the Lord and not so we can return to our own selfish pastimes and pleasures.

 It is worth mentioning the link with the healing is the call of persuasion. The restoration of the misguided brother is hard on the heels of the healing of the body. In the early church it was the practice to carefully shepherd the flock for their spiritual maturity. Rather than allow sheep to wander into lostness in the name of freedom. The last verse is a little enigmatic. Whose sins are covered? The misguided brother or the one who restores him? The grammar is a little vague. We might say both. If we are able to restore him, we also are taught by the process.

“Lord, let my life be marked by praise, prayer, and persuasion. AMEN”