Healing Prayer

Introduction

I appreciate those who have asked for a particular text or topic to be discussed. Many of these texts are difficult and it has given me an opportunity to restudy some things too long overlooked. Turn to James 5. There are basically two sections of James that gives us problems. The first is in chapter two in which James seems to suggest that works is necessary for salvation. Allen Black did a good job of explaining James several Wednesdays ago. The other text is here in James 5. What is particularly problematic in this text has to do with elders, anointing with oil, and the connection of sin and sickness. Couple this text with other texts such as 1 Corinthians 11:30, John 5:14, 9:3, and 2 Corinthians 12:7-9, then this leads us to question the connection between sickness and sin. James 5 is an interesting text. We will be looking primarily at this text and allowing the others to highlight certain aspects of our discussion.

Context

So often our tendency is to simply take a text and pay little attention to the surrounding parts of the passage. The greater context for our passage begins in chapter 4. Strife was present in the church and Christians were living with hostility and anger. Much of this anger and strife is related to the sins of the tongue. Almost from the beginning (1:19), James told his readers to be slow to speak. Anger will not bring about the righteous life which God desires (1:20). Failure to keep the tongue in check reveals the worthlessness of one’s profession (1:26). This lack of keeping the tongue in check was resulting in slandering, judging of motives, and boasting (4:11-16).

In addition to the problem of speech, there is a problem with oppression by the rich. Those who called themselves brothers were treating those with less in worldly ways (5:4-6). They were using their wealth to make life difficult for those who had little in the way of worldly goods. James instructs those who have very little to be patient. God has heard their cries of injustice (5:4) and will in his coming set the record straight (5:7-8). In the meantime, grumbling or complaining about each other is to stop (5:9).

Having commanded his readers to be patient, James gives two examples of patience in action. The first example is that of the prophets who suffered for speaking for God (5:10). The second example is Job (5:11) who demonstrates not only patience in the face of suffering but that God will correct injustice. You will recall in Job 2:10 that Job’s wife tempted him to curse God and die, but Job refused. Reflecting on Job’s integrity, patience, and perseverance James suggests that oaths do not need to be made. What is needed is a consistency of life that all can see.

With this context we can better understand the beginning of James’ letter. Trials were to be appreciated for what they bring about in the Christian’s life. Patience leads to maturity (1:3-4). When lacking wisdom to discern the events in your life, then ask God for wisdom (1:5-7). When James writes in 5:13 “Is any of you in trouble?” The word that he uses is the verb form of the word used in 5:10 to describe the suffering of the prophets. Verse 13 literally is “Suffering ill anyone among you?” This word would come under the umbrella term used in 1:2 translated “trials.”

Thus, we have come full circle from the beginning of the letter to its conclusion. James 5:13-18 is really the closing end of a very large parenthesis. Hopefully this puts some things into perspective as well as to help understand the context of our passage. The connection between this end passage and the first part of the letter is unmistakable. Hopefully the connection between this text and the greater context will be evident shortly.

Sickness and Sin

I have to admit that as I studied this section more questions kept coming up. Let me remind us all of a truth about Bible study. Letters written to specific groups often understood the nuances of what was said. Because we are 2000 years later many of the words do not carry the same meaning and weight with us as they would have when the first readers received the letter. That doesn’t make it less valid but it does mean that we have to dig into the text to make sure we understand what is being said before we make applications to our own time. James asks three questions in verse 13 and 14. The first two demonstrate eternal truths. Suffering deserves prayer. Joy deserves praise. The third question comes out of concern for the sin that is in this group of readers.

James has already said that several problems exist: anger, the misuse of the tongue, and oppression by the rich. Why does James give special attention to sickness? Wouldn’t it be covered by the words trial (1:2) or suffering (5:13)? The word for sickness means a physical ailment. Why call the elders for a physical ailment? Even the practice of the day was to go to physicians for treatment. And it isn’t a single elder who prays but the entire group. That seems significant. Why were the elders instructed to anoint with oil? And since in 1:5 James has already encouraged all to pray, why would a special group be called to pray? Lots of questions and even more when we take into account other passages. Let me give you some answers and try to flesh things out with those answers trying to make sure we understand James’ train of thought.

The language of the passage makes us confident that James is equating this sickness with sin (5:15). Thus, this is the reason for the elders to be called. Some want to say that this was a spiritual illness but the language will not allow that understanding. Instead, whatever the physical ailment is, this is directly related to the sin of the person. Elders are called because they are the most likely to be able spiritual guides through the sin. If what we set up in the context section is true, then the sins of misuse of the tongue, anger, and wealthy abuse has produces physical breakdown of the body. The anointing of the oil was to demonstrate the presence of God in the prayer ceremony. James has said in 1:7-8 that God would not honor the man who has no faith. Sin will result in faithlessness. Nor will God (4:3) answer the prayer of one who prays with the wrong motives. Sickness will cause one to pray for the wrong reasons. Thus, elders are called to pray.

Certainly not all who had sinned had a physical ailment. But those who do are obvious to the readers. James is setting up a scenario of how the congregation is to proceed. Thus, those who had sinned are to confess sins to others. This is not a public confession but probably intended between the sinners and the offended party. This confession will result in healing physically as well as in relationship. Now James returns to the idea of prayer. Those who had sinned were acting in unrighteous ways. According to 1:20 human anger does not bring about righteousness. The anger resulted in quarrels and fights. Confession brought about a change resulting in a more effective prayer.

James uses Elijah as an example of a righteous man whose prayers were effective. The incident that James chooses is significant. He uses the example from 1 Kings 17-18 in which Elijah prayed that it would not rain on the earth because of the wickedness of the people. Only when the people humbled (4:10) themselves and turned back to God did Elijah pray for the rain to fall. The unrighteousness of the people was forgiven because of repentance. Likewise James is dealing with sickness that resulted from sinful behavior. This is a matter of repentance.

The last two verses give added weight. Those brothers who maintained their righteousness are encouraged to help those who wandered from the truth to return. James is emphatic that we cannot look lightly on unrighteous behavior. It has a devastating effect on individuals as well as the entire church. A parallel passage is found in 1 Corinthians 11:30 in which those who were abusing the Lord’s Supper were dying and diseased. Unrighteousness has a devastating effect on the body of Christ.

Points

We should not understand this passage to teach that all sickness is related to sin. Such is not the case. But we do know that some sin comes as a consequence of sin. Our Western mind thinks in terms of germs which produce a breakdown in the body. The Eastern mind thought that sickness was related to sin. The stress of sin, at least here in James, the sin of abusive anger, misuse of the tongue, oppression by the wealthy, wrong attitudes and actions adversely affected the health of the sinner. One verse we haven’t looked at closely is 4:2. Strong language. They were committing murder and coveting. Even taken figuratively, the intensity of the words is to bring the readers to a fuller understanding of the depth of their sin. Anger, misuse of the tongue, and oppression will produce killing and coveting.

Second, this passage is about prayer. Seven times in this short passage, prayer is mentioned. James intent seems to focus on the connection of prayer with righteousness. Sin diminishes one’s effectiveness in prayer. Prayer is the natural response to troubles and trials. Things happen when righteous people pray. Healing comes through prayer. Lives are changed. Patience and endurance come through prayer in the midst of trials and troubles.

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