James 5:15

"and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him." "prayer offered in faith" -as opposed to one marked by doubt (James 1:5-8). "will restore the one who is sick" -"Restore"-to make well, heal, restore to health. The word translated "restore" is used in. spiritual sense in other passages (Matthew 1:21; Matthew 10:22; Matthew 18:11; Mark 16:16; Romans 10:13; James 5:20)."the Lord will raise him up" -once again, this isn't an action which is to be performed upon. person just before they die. This individual will be raised up, i.e. raised up to. healthy condition."if he has committed sins" -Carefully note that the sickness under consideration isn't inherently the result of ones own sin. See John 9:2. Roberts notes, "Sickness will often make men who are sinful more conscious of their spiritual condition. Illness has been the turning point of many lives" (p. 219). "they will be forgiven him" -Not because the elders have power to forgive sin, but because the person who is sick is humble and is asking for God's help (1 John 1:8).

Points To Note:

1. Note the differences between this passage and the practices of modern faith healers: A. The sick person isn't brought to some healing service, but is rather healed at home. The elders are called for, not some self-appointed leader or speaker. B. There is no fanfare, rather the person is healed with. great amount of simplicity. C. There are no failures. D. Modern faith healers often excuse their failures as being the result of trying to heal people who don't have enough faith. But note, the prayer of faith includes the "faith" of those doing the healing. 2. If physical healing is the healing under consideration in this section, then it is obvious that such was short-lived in the history of the Church. A. Christians did eventually die (Hebrews 9:27). B. Not every Christian was healed of their sickness or disease (2 Timothy 4:20; 1 Timothy 5:23).

1. There is some evidence that the healing under consideration could be spiritual healing: A. The word translated "sick" in James 5:15 is only used of. weariness of the mind or spirit in the New Testament (Hebrews 12:3; Revelation 2:3), i.e.. condition of being spiritually tired. B. One can be spiritually exhausted without reaching. point of sinning (James 5:15). C. The elders would also be the logical ones to call if. person finds themselves in. state of despondency, they do watch for our souls (Hebrews 13:17). D. The anointing with oil would mean the same thing in both cases (physical or spiritual healing), for it would signal that this person was to get back on their feet and get back into their daily routine of living. E. The confession of sins in James 5:16 fits well with the spiritual sickness view, for unforgiven sins and guilt can very easily bring us into. state of depression, apathy, despondency, and. lack of motivation.

Be impressed with the balance in the Bible. Physical illness can be the result of sin and then it is can completely unrelated to sins in our own life. Notice that God says "if". Which means that illness should be used as. time to seriously reflect upon our own lives and our condition before God. God reminds us that besides checking our own physical condition, look well to your emotional and spiritual condition as well.