James 5:14

Authorized King James Version

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:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
ἀσθενεῖ
Is
to be feeble (in any sense)
#2
τις
any
some or any person or object
#3
ἐν
among
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#4
ὑμῖν
you
to (with or by) you
#5
προσκαλεσάσθω
let him call
to call toward oneself, i.e., summon, invite
#6
τοὺς
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#7
πρεσβυτέρους
for the elders
older; as noun, a senior; specially, an israelite sanhedrist (also figuratively, member of the celestial council) or christian "presbyter"
#8
τῆς
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#9
ἐκκλησίας
of the church
a calling out, i.e., (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (jewish synagogue, or christian community of members on earth
#10
καὶ
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#11
προσευξάσθωσαν
let them pray
to pray to god, i.e., supplicate, worship
#12
ἐπ'
over
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
#13
αὐτὸν
him
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
#14
ἀλείψαντες
anointing
to oil (with perfume)
#15
αὐτὸν
him
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
#16
ἐλαίῳ
with oil
olive oil
#17
ἐν
among
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#18
τῷ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#19
ὀνόματι
the name
a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
#20
τοῦ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#21
κυρίου
of the Lord
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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