James 5:15

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} the prayer {G2171} of faith {G4102} shall save {G4982} the sick {G2577}, and {G2532} the Lord {G2962} shall raise {G1453} him {G846} up {G1453}; and if {G2579} he have {G5600} committed {G4160} sins {G266}, they shall be forgiven {G863} him {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The prayer offered with trust will heal the one who is ill — the Lord will restore his health; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

Berean Standard Bible

And the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick. The Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.

American Standard Version

and the prayer of faith shall save him that is sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, it shall be forgiven him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
James 5:15 is a profound declaration on the power and efficacy of faith-filled prayer within the Christian community, particularly concerning physical sickness and spiritual sin. It asserts that such prayer, offered by the elders of the church, will lead to the restoration of the sick, attributing both healing and the forgiveness of sins directly to the Lord's compassionate intervention. This verse underscores a holistic understanding of human well-being, where physical and spiritual dimensions are interconnected and addressed through divine grace.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** James 5:15 is nestled within a broader section (James 5:13-18) that provides practical instructions for various life situations, all centered on the theme of prayer. It immediately follows the directive in [James 5:14](/james/5-14 "James 5:14 - Anointing the Sick") for sick believers to summon the church elders, who are to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the Lord's name. Verse 15 then presents the promised outcome of this obedient and faith-filled corporate action. The subsequent verses, [James 5:16-18](/james/5-16-18 "James 5:16-18 - Confession and Elijah's Prayer"), further emphasize the importance of mutual confession and the powerful example of Elijah's fervent prayer, reinforcing the central role of prayer in the community's life and God's responsiveness to it.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient world, particularly within Jewish thought, there was often a perceived, though not always direct, link between sickness and sin. While the Old Testament sometimes portrays sickness as a consequence of sin ([Deuteronomy 28:20-22](/deuteronomy/28-20-22 "Deuteronomy 28:20-22 - Curses for Disobedience")), the New Testament, particularly through Jesus's ministry, nuanced this understanding, demonstrating that not all suffering is a direct result of personal sin ([John 9:1-3](/john/9-1-3 "John 9:1-3 - Healing the Blind Man")). The practice of anointing with oil had various connotations: it could be medicinal, symbolic of consecration, or a sign of the Holy Spirit's presence. The calling of elders reflects the early church's structure and the communal responsibility for the well-being of its members, echoing the communal nature of prayer and healing found in both Old Testament and early Christian practices.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within the book of James. Foremost is the **Efficacy of Prayer**, demonstrating that prayer offered in faith is not a mere ritual but a powerful means through which God acts, bringing about tangible results. It highlights **Divine Healing**, emphasizing God's active involvement and compassion in the physical restoration of His people. Furthermore, it addresses the **Interconnection of Physical and Spiritual Well-being**, suggesting that while not every illness is caused by sin, God's restorative work often encompasses both the body and the soul, offering forgiveness alongside physical recovery. This holistic approach aligns with the practical and integrated faith that James consistently advocates throughout his epistle, as seen in his emphasis on faith expressed through works in [James 2:14-26](/james/2-14-26 "James 2:14-26 - Faith Without Works Is Dead").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Prayer (Greek, _euchḗ'_):** This term (G2171) signifies "a wish, expressed as a petition to God, or in votive obligation." In this context, it refers to a solemn, earnest request made to God, particularly in the context of a specific appeal for divine intervention. It underscores the intentional and reverent nature of the supplication being made by the elders.
* **Sick (Greek, _kámnō'_):** The word (G2577) means "to toil, i.e., (by implication) to tire (figuratively, faint, sicken)." Here, it directly refers to those who are physically ill or exhausted, highlighting their state of weakness and need for divine intervention.
* **Save (Greek, _sṓzō'_):** This word (G4982) means "to save, i.e., deliver or protect (literally or figuratively):--heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole." While it often carries the broader theological meaning of spiritual salvation, here, in conjunction with "the sick" and "raise him up," its primary implication is physical healing and restoration to health, encompassing a comprehensive deliverance.
* **Raise (Greek, _egeírō'_):** This verb (G1453) means "to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from obscurity, inactivity, ruins, nonexistence)." In the context of sickness, it powerfully conveys the idea of God lifting the individual from their state of infirmity, restoring them to an upright and active condition, signifying a complete recovery.
* **Forgiven (Greek, _aphíēmi'_):** This verb (G863) means "to send forth, in various applications... forgive, forsake, leave, let (alone, be, go, have), omit, put (send) away, remit, suffer, yield up." In this context, it specifically denotes the act of remitting or pardoning sins, signifying God's gracious removal of guilt and the restoration of spiritual standing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the prayer of faith shall save the sick,"**: This opening clause establishes the instrument and the outcome. The "prayer of faith" (not just any prayer, but one imbued with genuine trust and conviction in God's power and will) is presented as the means. The direct result is that it "shall save the sick," indicating a deliverance from their illness, primarily understood as physical healing in this immediate context. The active agent behind this saving power is implicitly God, working through the prayer.
* **"and the Lord shall raise him up;"**: This second clause reinforces and clarifies the first, explicitly naming "the Lord" (G2962, _kýrios_, meaning supreme in authority, Master) as the ultimate agent of healing. The phrase "shall raise him up" (G1453, _egeírō_) vividly depicts a restoration from a prostrate or weakened state to one of strength and vitality. This emphasizes that healing is not a human accomplishment but a divine act, demonstrating God's sovereign power and compassion.
* **"and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him."**: This final clause introduces a crucial spiritual dimension. It addresses the possibility that sin might be a contributing factor to the sickness (though not asserting it as the sole cause for all illness). The conjunction "and if" (G2579, _kán_) presents a conditional scenario. The powerful promise is that if such sins are present, "they shall be forgiven him." This highlights God's holistic concern for the individual, addressing both physical ailment and spiritual guilt, and underscores the accessibility of divine forgiveness through this prayerful intervention.

#### Literary Devices
James 5:15 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. There is clear **Parallelism** between the physical and spiritual dimensions: "save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up" (physical restoration) is paralleled with "if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him" (spiritual restoration). This structure emphasizes God's comprehensive care for the whole person. The phrase "prayer of faith" acts as a form of **Metonymy**, where "faith" represents the believer's trust and conviction, which is the essential quality animating the prayer. The use of the future tense ("shall save," "shall raise," "shall be forgiven") functions as a **Prophetic Assurance**, indicating a certain and divinely guaranteed outcome when the conditions (prayer of faith, calling elders) are met. Finally, the **Conditional Clause** ("and if he have committed sins") introduces a specific nuance, acknowledging a potential connection between sin and sickness without making it a universal rule, thereby demonstrating the nuanced wisdom of James.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
James 5:15 stands as a powerful testament to God's active involvement in the lives of His people, affirming His desire for their holistic well-being. It underscores the theological truth that God is both the Great Physician who heals the body and the merciful Redeemer who forgives sin. The verse highlights the corporate nature of faith and prayer, emphasizing that the community of believers, specifically the elders, plays a vital role in mediating God's grace. It challenges any notion that God is distant or indifferent to human suffering, instead portraying Him as intimately concerned with both our physical ailments and our spiritual condition. This passage also implicitly teaches about the sovereignty of God in healing, reminding us that while prayer is the means, God is the ultimate actor, and His will remains supreme, even when healing does not manifest as expected.

* [Mark 11:24](/mark/11-24 "Mark 11:24 - The Power of Believing Prayer")
* [1 John 5:14-15](/1_john/5-14-15 "1 John 5:14-15 - Confidence in Prayer")
* [Matthew 9:2-7](/matthew/9-2-7 "Matthew 9:2-7 - Jesus Heals and Forgives a Paralytic")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
James 5:15 offers profound encouragement and practical guidance for believers today, inviting us into a deeper experience of God's restorative power. It calls us to cultivate a robust and active faith that trusts in God's ability to intervene in our physical and spiritual lives. The emphasis on calling for the elders highlights the importance of communal support and prayer within the church; we are not meant to face sickness or spiritual struggles in isolation. This verse encourages us to pray earnestly and specifically for the sick, believing that God hears and responds. Furthermore, it serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of confession and repentance, recognizing that spiritual health is often intertwined with physical well-being. When we approach God with humble hearts, acknowledging our sins, we can confidently receive His boundless forgiveness, which is foundational to true healing and wholeness. Ultimately, this passage fosters a dependence on the Lord, reminding us that all healing and forgiveness flow from His gracious hand.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my understanding of "the prayer of faith" impact my approach to praying for the sick?**
* **In what ways does my church community actively support and pray for its sick members, reflecting the spirit of James 5:14-15?**
* **Am I quick to confess my sins, trusting in God's promise of forgiveness as an integral part of my holistic well-being?**
* **How does this verse shape my perspective on the relationship between physical illness and spiritual condition?**

### FAQ
**Does James 5:15 guarantee physical healing for every believer who is sick?**

Answer: While James 5:15 powerfully asserts that "the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up," it's crucial to interpret this within the broader biblical context of God's sovereignty and wisdom. It does not provide an absolute, unconditional guarantee of physical healing in every instance, as if it were a formula. Instead, it highlights the *potential* and *power* of faith-filled prayer and God's *desire* to heal. The phrase "if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him" also introduces a spiritual dimension, suggesting that God's work is often holistic, addressing both physical and spiritual needs. Ultimately, healing remains a divine prerogative, and God's will, which is always good and perfect, determines the outcome, even if that outcome is not always physical recovery in this life. We see instances in Scripture where faithful individuals were not healed ([2 Corinthians 12:7-10](/2_corinthians/12-7-10 "2 Corinthians 12:7-10 - Paul's Thorn in the Flesh")), yet God's grace was sufficient.

**Is all sickness a direct result of personal sin, according to this verse?**

Answer: No, James 5:15 does not teach that all sickness is a direct result of personal sin. The phrase "and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him" (G2579, _kán_, "and if") presents a conditional possibility, not a universal rule. It acknowledges that *sometimes* there can be a connection between sin and physical ailment, as seen in some biblical narratives ([John 5:14](/john/5-14 "John 5:14 - Jesus Heals at the Pool of Bethesda")). However, the Bible also clearly shows that sickness can occur for other reasons, such as for the glory of God ([John 9:1-3](/john/9-1-3 "John 9:1-3 - Healing the Man Born Blind")), or simply as part of living in a fallen world. James's point here is that *if* sin is a factor, God's forgiveness is readily available and integral to the process of restoration, emphasizing God's holistic concern for the individual's well-being.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
James 5:15 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the preeminent "Lord" who "raises up" and forgives sins, embodying the very power and compassion described in this verse. Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus consistently demonstrated His authority over both sickness and sin, often linking the two as He healed the physically afflicted and declared their sins forgiven, as seen in the healing of the paralytic in [Mark 2:5-12](/mark/2-5-12 "Mark 2:5-12 - Jesus Heals and Forgives"). His atoning work on the cross is the ultimate "prayer of faith" offered on behalf of humanity, securing not only spiritual forgiveness but also the promise of future bodily resurrection and complete wholeness for all who believe. The "prayer of faith" described by James is effective precisely because it is offered in the name of Christ, relying on His finished work and His ongoing intercession for His people ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Jesus' Eternal Priesthood")). Thus, James 5:15 points believers to Christ as the source of all healing and forgiveness, inviting them to access His restorative power through faith and communal prayer, anticipating the full redemption of body and soul that will be realized in His glorious return ([Romans 8:23](/romans/8-23 "Romans 8:23 - Groaning for Redemption")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

James 5:13

Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.

1 John 5:14

¶ And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

1 John 5:16

If any man see his brother sin a sin [which is] not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

James 5:16

Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Matthew 21:21

Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this [which is done] to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

Matthew 21:22

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

James 1:6

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.