Lesson 34: When You Are Sick (part 2)
 Read James 5:13-18 – www.bible.com/bible/59/jas.5.esv

Typically those who claim that it is God’s will for everyone to be healed base their belief upon Isaiah 53:5 - But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

The context of this verse refers to spiritual sickness and healing, not physical. Peter understood this and used it that way in a quote when he wrote the New Testament Book of 1 Peter 2:24 – “Who His own self bore our sins in His own body on the tree that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes you were healed.”

* What are James’ 3 questions in this passage: James 5:13a _____, James 5:13c _____, James 5:14a _____

James then gives three answers:
- James 5:13b - let him pray. David did the same in Psalm 18:4-6. Listen to what the Apostle Paul says in Philippians 4:6-7, take it to the Lord in prayer.
- James 5:13d - let him sing psalms (songs of praise). David’s example in 1 Chronicles 16:8-10. The apostle Paul also instructed the same in Ephesians 5:19-20.
- James 5:14-15 – “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 shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.”

Notice that first James says the one who is sick is to call for the elders. He must take the initiative. There is no way of knowing when someone is sick unless you tell them. Our first step is to make others aware of the need.


The elders are to carry out 2 functions – anoint and pray (v 14). James did not write about ceremonial anointing here. What James required by the use of the oil was the use of the best medical means of the day. James urges the treating of sickness by medical means accompanied by prayer. The 2 are to be used together - neither at the exclusion of the other.

Fortunately our medical expertise has improved from oil to antibiotic, x-rays and laser surgery. Just as the elders of James’ day were to see that the proper medical treatment was applied, the same is true today. James then recommends that we leave the results in the Lord’s hands. The elders were to anoint and pray over the sick in the Name of the Lord (James 5:14) asking God’s will for the situation.

In conclusion – did you notice that James does not mention faith healers? When we are sick we are told to call the elders of our local assembly and they are to come and anoint and pray. There is only one divine healer, Christ. God in His divine sovereign grace and power will sometimes reach down and change a condition, and sometimes will not…apart from any individual who claims to have healing powers. True faith does not rest on whether we get the answer we would like to have.