James 5:12-20
We have come to the end of James’ letter. Last week we started looking at James’ final instructions to the believers. They are to be patient and trust in the Lord because He sees them, just as He promised He would in Deuteronomy. They are not to repay evil with evil because the judge stands at the door. In other words, the time of Christ’s return is near. This doesn’t mean in the next few days but that it is a certainty and could come at any moment.
James surprises us a bit in verse 12 by stating that what he is going to say now is the most important thing to keep in mind. This is surprising because this letter has been filled with many important things and what he says next might not seem as important to us as some of the others. Why is not swearing by heaven or earth or with any oath more important than everything we have looked at so far?
To swear meant to take an oath and to take an oath meant to affirm the truth of a statement by calling on a divine being to back that statement up by taking action against the person if it was not followed through. There are multiple problems with doing this.
First, we need to go back to James 3:2. As human beings we are prone to stumble, we are prone to fall, and we are not in complete control of ourselves because of sin which controls our wants and desires. Therefore, if we swear an oath by heaven or earth, which are God’s throne and footstool, we might be speaking about things we do not know about.
Second, and the bigger issue, is that if we swear an oath and use the One, Holy God as our guarantee, then we end up trying to force God to do our bidding and not submitting our will to His. If we try and force God to our will then we are trying to get God to act contrary to His will. The ultimate end to this problem is we end up putting ourselves above God.
The solution to this conundrum is to simply say “yes” or “no” and then follow through. Be faithful to the promises you make. We see many oaths in the Bible, and this might seem contradictory to that so where does James get this idea? As usual, it comes from his older brother. Go and read Matthew 5:33-37.
Jesus understood the problem with oaths is that when we make an oath we are trying to force God into our will instead of putting ourselves into His will.
The answer then is found in verse 13. If anyone is suffering, they should pray. Suffering here could be anything, not just an illness. The answer to the problem should start and end with prayer. This does not mean you never do anything but whatever you do should come about because you have prayed to God about it and through the Holy Spirit He has directed your actions. But again, it is not simply praying so God can confirm your plans. If God is always confirming your plans, then maybe you are not hearing Him properly.
The other side of James’ point here is that alongside prayer should be singing. He is not saying that you only pray when you are suffering and only sing when cheerful. Instead, these two together comprise worship. In any situation, we should worship Christ.
Verses 14-16 can lead to some bad theology if we are not careful. When James speaks of those who are sick here, he is primarily speaking of those who are unable to attend the worship services. Whatever it is that is afflicting them it is so serious they are forced to stay away.
Such people are to call for the church leaders to come to them, pray over them, and anoint them with oil. Let’s examine each of these instructions. First, the church leaders are to come to them. James’ point here is that they are not to be excluded from the community because of whatever their condition is. If they cannot come then someone from the church should go to them.
This word is much debated, especially in SBC circles, and how it is understood. In traditional Greek it, and its Hebrew equivalent, it meant “bearded one”. It was used for older men who, because of their age, were thought to be the wisest. Today the term “elders” has come to signify the ruling body within a church. The men chosen as elders in a church are often very young.
James, I think, is using the term for the mature believers within the Church. What is important to notice is that it is not the job of one of them to go to the sick but for all of them to go together.
The reason for this is because they are to pray over this person. There is power in corporate prayer. I want to address the part in verse 15 where it says the prayer of faith will save them. This is not saying you can pray someone else into salvation. In Greek, the word for “to save” is the same word for “to make better”. The prayers we pray for others are effective in healing.
The other aspect of this we need to note is that the word James uses for prayer is not the typical word for prayer. This word is not about asking for something but trusting that God is going to do it. This helps us understand the part about sins being forgiven. The elders are praying for someone else’s sins to be forgiven but are trusting that God will do so for the believer. Remember, that is who they are praying for.
The third part is anointing with oil. Olive oil was believed to have healing properties. Therefore, the elders going to the sick were not just praying for them but helping the best they could to make the person better. Today, anointing them with oil is not what makes someone better but maybe making them some food or helping them get to the doctor. The point is the church is responsible for helping the believers who are too sick to attend services.
In verses 17-18 James gives an Example from Scripture on the power of prayer. We are not going to spend time talking about this because it would be an entire lesson by itself. If you want to know more about it go and read 1 Kings 17.
Finally, in verses 19-20, James is reminding the believers that we are responsible for one another. Faith in Jesus is not a personal endeavor. We have to look out for each other and when someone wanders off the path, there is greatness in helping someone find their way back. The greatness is not whatever you do to help someone but in the fact they have returned and their soul will be saved from death. Looking our for and caring for one another matters.
I pray this letter from James has been a blessing to you and you have seen the heart of our Lord and Savior. James is not giving his opinion on how the followers of Jesus “should” conduct themselves but is showing us how Jesus set the example we are to follow if we are to carry His name into all the world.
It has been difficult to put look at this letter at times and try to see how we live (or don’t) up to the standard Jesus set. Do not be discouraged, do not be disheartened, and above all, do not give up. Instead, follow the advice James gives and “draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”