James 5:14
Is any sick among you? 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:
Original Language Analysis
προσκαλεσάσθω
let him call
G4341
προσκαλεσάσθω
let him call
Strong's:
G4341
Word #:
5 of 21
to call toward oneself, i.e., summon, invite
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πρεσβυτέρους
for the elders
G4245
πρεσβυτέρους
for the elders
Strong's:
G4245
Word #:
7 of 21
older; as noun, a senior; specially, an israelite sanhedrist (also figuratively, member of the celestial council) or christian "presbyter"
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐκκλησίας
of the church
G1577
ἐκκλησίας
of the church
Strong's:
G1577
Word #:
9 of 21
a calling out, i.e., (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (jewish synagogue, or christian community of members on earth
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
προσευξάσθωσαν
let them pray
G4336
προσευξάσθωσαν
let them pray
Strong's:
G4336
Word #:
11 of 21
to pray to god, i.e., supplicate, worship
ἐπ'
over
G1909
ἐπ'
over
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
12 of 21
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 21
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
15 of 21
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὀνόματι
the name
G3686
ὀνόματι
the name
Strong's:
G3686
Word #:
19 of 21
a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
Cross References
Mark 6:13And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.Acts 28:8And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.Mark 16:18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.2 Kings 5:11But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.Acts 14:23And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.Acts 9:40But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.Acts 15:4And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.2 Kings 4:33He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the LORD.Titus 1:5For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
Historical Context
Ancient medicine was limited; the church provided spiritual and relational support. Early Christian writings describe elders anointing the sick, showing James's instruction shaped practice.
Questions for Reflection
- Do you seek the church's prayer when sick?
- How can leaders cultivate responsive care teams?
- What does anointing communicate about God's involvement?
Analysis & Commentary
Is any sick among you? 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: Is anyone sick? Call the elders to pray, anointing with oil in the Lord's name. James combines pastoral care, tangible symbol, and communal prayer.
Reformed practice affirms the ordinary means of grace along with prayer for healing. Oil signifies consecration; elders represent church care.