Author: Will

Ephesians 1:1 – Paul’s Letter to You

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Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the decision of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful ones in Christ Jesus:

Truth to Learn

If you are a Christian, this letter was written to you!

 

Behind the Words

“Apostle” is transliterated from the Greek word apostolos, made up of apo, meaning “from or away from” and a form of the verb stellō, meaning “to withdraw from” or “to send forth.” Thus, apostolos, as it is used here, means “one who is sent out by Christ.”

The word translated “decision” is thelēma, which indicates “a determination or decision.” The verbs thelō and boulomai are both translated “to will” but boulomai expresses a desirous will (wish) whereas thelō expresses a determined will (decision).

“Saints” is from hagios, which literally refers to something which causes awe. Its root meaning is “that which has been set apart from common use to Godly use.” As we will learn from Paul in this letter, all Christians have been set-apart by God; that is, all Christians are saints.

 

Meaning Explained

Paul begins this letter with a typical salutation identifying himself (Paul the apostle) as the writer. He immediately sets the tone for this letter by indicating that his apostleship is a result of God’s determination (it was God’s decision). One of the key underlying themes of this letter is the complete sovereignty of God in choosing whom He determines. This doctrine of “election” has been hotly debated since the time of the Reformation in the sixteenth century; however, writings of the early church fathers indicate that the early church readily accepted it. Throughout this letter we will see that Paul clearly teaches that God chose us, not because we decided to get saved, but because He decided to save us.

The next phrase in this opening verse, “To the saints who are in Ephesus,” has been questioned by some. The reason for this is because the words “who are in Ephesus” are omitted in two key Greek manuscripts. Some scholars believe that the letter was written with these two words intentionally omitted, allowing copyists to insert the name of a particular church to make it more personal. An overwhelming number of the manuscripts, however, contain the words “who are in Ephesus;” therefore, it is reasonable for us to conclude that this letter was specifically addressed to the church in Ephesus.

The final phrase of this verse indicates that Paul intended that is should be read by more than just the Ephesians. He addresses this letter to all the “faithful ones in Christ Jesus.” This is not a reference to those who have a sense of fidelity and perseverance, but to those who are “of the faith.” In other words, this letter was sent to the Christians who lived in Ephesus and to anyone else who has professed faith in Jesus Christ. If you have accepted the blood of Jesus Christ as payment for your sins and have declared Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, then this letter was written specifically to you.

 

Application

The God of all creation, the great I AM who lead Moses and the Israelites through the wilderness, wants you to know Him completely. It’s not very often that we recognize that God had the Bible written for you and me individually. This letter called Ephesians was written to you, Christian!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians – Background

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The City of Ephesus

The city of Ephesus was located on the eastern coast of Asia Minor (present day Turkey). It was nearly 200 miles due east from Athens across the Aegean Sea (the body of water that separates Greece from Turkey). This very large metropolis, located on the Cayster River, was the capital of the Roman province called Asia. Its primary claim to fame was the presence of the magnificent temple to the goddess Dianna (the Greek goddess Artemis). This temple was one of the ancient Seven Wonders of the World. Today, only half buried ruins occupy the site of this once great commercial city.

Who Wrote This Letter?

According to Ephesians 1:1 and 3:1, this letter was written by the Apostle Paul. The genuine Pauline authorship is attested to by many of the early church fathers including Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, Valentinus, Hippolytus, Polycarp, Tertullian, and Ignatius.

Toward the end of his second missionary trip, Paul visited Ephesus for a short while where he disputed with the Jews in the synagogue of the city (Acts 18:19-21). After Paul left Ephesus, the work was carried on by Apollos (Acts 18:24-26) and by Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:26). On his second visit to Ephesus, Paul remained there more than two years (Acts 19:10). In fact, for three years according to Acts 20:31. During this time, he preached the gospel with such success that it affected the entire city and province (Acts 19:17-20). The conversion rate of Ephesians was so significant that it stirred up the fears of the local silversmiths who profited from the worship of Diana. They raised such a commotion that Paul was forced to leave the city.

On his last journey to Jerusalem, he sailed by Ephesus and summoned the elders of the Ephesian Church to meet him at Miletus where he delivered a stirring farewell address to the people he loved so (Acts 20:18-35).

When Was This Letter Written?

This letter is believed to have been written by Paul after his arrest in Jerusalem during his subsequent imprisonment in Rome. The most likely date of writing is AD 62 or 63.

From Where Was This Letter Written?

We know that this letter was written while Paul was a prisoner (Ephesians 6:20), and hence must have been written either at Cæsarea or at Rome. Some scholars relegate it to the first place, but the general consensus is that it belongs to the group of letters which were sent from his Roman prison. This letter was written to the Ephesians most likely during the early part of his imprisonment at Rome immediately after the letter to the Colossians, to which it bears a close resemblance in many passages. Tychicus was the messenger to whom, on the same journey, were entrusted both this letter (Ephesians 6:21) and the letter to Colosse (Colossians 4:7).

Why Was This Letter Written?

Paul’s reason for writing this letter is based on his foresight that false teachers would spring up in the church after his death. He was concerned that their false doctrines would draw away disciples after them and do great harm in the church. Therefore, the design of this letter was to establish the believers in the doctrines of the Gospel so they might not be carried away with the errors of the deceivers.

Paul puts great care into establishing the doctrines of grace, predestination, election, eternal security, redemption by Christ, and salvation by the free grace of God completely apart from works. He also deals with the nature and usefulness of the Gospel ministry, of gifts necessary for it, and of the various duties of religion incumbent on Christians. He speaks to the Ephesians as a “type” or example of the Church universal. Hence, “the Church” throughout the Epistle is spoken of in the singular, not in the plural.

Outline of Ephesians

Section 1 – Doctrine

Ephesians 1:1, 2  —  Introduction

Ephesians 1:3-14 – Blessings to God for His work of mercy in saving us.

Ephesians 1:15-23  —  A prayer that we might fully avail ourselves of the advantages of God’s eternal mercy.

Ephesians 2:1-3  —  Our former unsaved state, dead in sin

Ephesians 2:4-7  —  Regeneration through God’s mercy

Ephesians 2:8-10  —  Salvation by faith apart from works.

Ephesians 2:11-22  —  The reconciliation of both Jews and Gentiles

Ephesians 3:1-12  —  The revelation of the mystery that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs of God with the Jews.

Ephesians 3:13-21 – Paul’s prayer that we might grow to know God better.

Section 2 – Practical Application

Ephesians 4:1-16  —  An exhortation to keep the unity of the body of Christ.

Ephesians 4:17-24  —  A challenge to quit our former manner of life and to develop a new way of living in righteousness and holiness.

Ephesians 4:25-5:20  —  Specific actions & attitudes to cease, with a challenge to be kind, tender hearted, and forgiving, giving thanks to God.

Ephesians 5:21-33  —  The responsibilities of husbands and wives.

Ephesians 6:1-3  —  The responsibilities of parents and children

Ephesians 6:4-9  —  The responsibilities of masters and servants

Ephesians 6:10-20  —  Conducting Christian warfare.

Ephesians 6:21-24  —  Closing remarks.

James 5:20 – A Converted Sinner

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let him know that the one turning a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

Truth to Learn

We need to proclaim the truth of God to all people.

 

Behind the Words

“Sinner” is translated from the Greek word hamartōlos, from the verb hamartanō, meaning “to miss the mark” or “to sin.” The word hamartōlos refers to a person whose life is characterized by sin, one who is constantly sinning.

The word translated “soul” is psuchē (or psyche), which is a derivative of the verb psuchō, meaning “to breath.” Hence, it refers to the immaterial portion of man.

The Greek word kaluptō is translated here as “cover.” This word means “to envelop or wrap around, like the bark of a tree.” That is, it means “to completely cover over” or “to hide.”

“Multitude” is from plēthos, which is derived from the verb plēthō, meaning “to fill.” Hence, plēthos means “fullness” or “a very large number.”

 

Meaning Explained

Though the previous verse speaks of those who have known the truth (believers) and have turned away from it, this verse seems to be talking about the conversion of the unsaved. Let’s see why this is so. In the previous verse James addressed his audience as “brothers.” He also said in the previous verse, “… if any among YOU should stray …” referring to someone who is part of this group of brothers.

In this verse he starts out with, “let HIM know …” The “him” referred to is the one who causes the conversion, that is, the brother. The next part of this verse literally reads, “… the one turning back a sinner from his wandering way shall save a soul from death …” James is not talking about saving a body from death, but a soul. He is not talking about physical death, but spiritual death. So, either he is proposing that a Christian can lose his or her salvation, or he is talking about an unsaved person. The key can be found just a few words earlier, “… he who converts a sinner from …” This refers to a person whose life is characterized by sin, not a born-again Christian. As the Apostle John teaches us:

Everyone remaining in Him does not sin. Everyone sinning has not seen Him nor known Him. (1 John 3:6)

Now you may say, “But everyone sins, even saved Christians!” And you are correct. What John is talking about (as is James) is a person who continually, or habitually, sins. Now, of the one who does not abide (or remain) John says:

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they were of us, they would have remained (continued) with us. But they went out so that it might be revealed that they are not all of us. (1 John 2:19)

In other words, James is telling us that there are people who call themselves Christians who know the truths of God’s word but who have never truly submitted to the will of God. These who have called themselves “brothers” have wandered away after erroneous doctrines. James tells us that if we bring them back to the truth and to a saving faith, we are doing a great work (actually, God is doing a great work through us) in the plan of salvation!

 

Application

We need to reach out, not just to those who have never heard the message of salvation, but also to those who have heard the word but have turned away. We will not reach them through fighting and arguing. We must reach out to them with the Word of truth proclaimed graciously, in love, for God’s glory.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

James 5:19 – Wandering from the Truth

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My brothers, if anyone among you should stray from the truth, and someone should turn him back,

Truth to Learn

We need to lovingly reach out to those who have strayed from the truth.

 

Behind the Words

There are a couple of words we want to look at in this verse. The first is “stray.” Some translations have this as “err” or “wander.” The Greek word is planaō which means “to stray,” “to roam,” “to wander,” or “to be out of the way.” The implication is that this person knew the truth and has since changed direction and has wandered into something that is not the truth. This word is expressed in the subjunctive mood as part of a 3rd class conditional clause, indicating that it is possible, but there is no assumption as to whether it is true or not.

The other word we want to look at is “turn” which comes from the Greek epistrephō, which is made up of epi, meaning “upon” or “over” and strephō, meaning to turn. Hence, epistrephō literally means “to turn upon” or “to turn toward.” Here it carries the meaning “to turn back around to the original way.” This again emphasizes the fact that the person was originally going the correct way, has since turned away, but has now turned back around to the truth.

 

Meaning Explained

This verse does not stand on its own, but needs the next verse to make complete sense. We as Christians need to be ever on the guard against seducing doctrines that draw us away from the truth. That’s why it is so important for us to be reading the Bible daily and listening to doctrinally sound preachers, always seeking confirmation from the Spirit of God and the Bible itself as to the things that are being taught. Look at what was said of the believers in Berea concerning the teaching of Paul and Silas. These believers went directly to the Word to verify what they were being taught.

And the brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who having arrived went into the synagogue of the Jews. And these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Acts 17:10,11)

Today’s verse is not talking about salvation, even though the word “convert” is used in some translations rather than “turn … back.” It is talking about a believer who has been led into false doctrine.

People who are trained to spot counterfeit money are not taught what all the various fakes look like, instead they are taught in excruciating detail what the real thing looks like. Likewise, we will be able to detect false doctrine only when we know without a doubt what true Biblical doctrine is. In the next verse we will see that James speaks very strongly about the effect of false doctrine.

 

Application

You obviously want to know the truth of God’s Word, otherwise you wouldn’t be going through these daily devotional verse studies. But it can’t stop here. You need to be reading your Bible daily and regularly hearing good sound preaching based on God’s Word and nothing else. Only by thoroughly knowing the true doctrines taught in the Bible will you be able to detect false doctrine.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

James 5:18 – The Rainmaker’s Prayer

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And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the land produced its fruit.

Truth to Learn

Fervent prayers from a humble, submitted servant are powerful.

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “again” is palin, which is most likely derived from palē, meaning “to shake” or “to vibrate.” It is the notion of back and forth motion which repeats itself. Hence, palin means that something has been repeated or done again.

The word “rain” in this verse is from the Greek noun hueton, meaning a rain shower. This is a different word from the one translated “rain” in the previous verse; that one was the verb brechō, which means “to moisten” or “to make wet,” as by rain.

 

Meaning Explained

This verse talks about how Elijah prayed again (after the 3 ½ years) and it began to rain. The point from the previous verse is that he was a righteous man and that he prayed energetically, or earnestly. Let’s see what that looks like – 1 Kings 18:42-46:

And Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he stretched himself out on the ground and put his face between his knees.

And said to his servant, "Go up now, look intently toward the sea."

So he went up and looked intently and said, "There is nothing."

And he said, "Go back" seven times.

It came about at the seventh time, that he said, "Behold, a little cloud like a man's hand is coming up out of the sea."

And he said, "Go up, say to Ahab, 'Prepare and go down, so that the rain shower does not stop you.'"

And it came to pass in the meantime, that the sky became black with thick clouds and wind, and the rain was heavy. And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel. And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah, and he girded up his loins and outran Ahab to Jezreel.

Although we are not told what the words of his prayer were, notice these characteristics:

  • Elijah’s position – one of humility and intensity.
  • His persistence – he told his servant to go check seven times. He didn’t give up.
  • His faith – Once the first little cloud appeared he knew what was coming even though it hadn’t rained for 3 ½ years!
  • The results – Not just a little rain.

Do these things characterize your prayers?

One word of caution – Often after such a spiritual victory we are physically and spiritually weak. We need to be extra careful when we see God’s victory in our lives that we don’t stumble and become afraid like Elijah did. Read about it in 1 Kings 19:1-13.

 

Application

When you pray, do you pray with unwavering faith, as we were instructed in James 1:6, 7? And, do you pray fervently and persistently from an attitude of humility like Elijah? May God grant to you and to me prayer lives that are as energized and as effective as Elijah’s.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

James 5:17 – Powerful Prayer Warrior

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Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly for it not to rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.

Truth to Learn

The heartfelt prayers of a submitted Christian are powerful.

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “with a nature like” is homoiopathēs, which is a compound word made up of homoios, meaning “similar” and a form of pathos, which comes from paschō meaning “suffering,” but which can refer to strong emotion either pleasant or painful. Hence, here it means that Elijah had strong emotions just like you and I do.

The expression “he prayed earnestly” is from the Greek proseuchē prosēuxato, which literally means “he prayed with prayer.” It is a Greek way of saying that he prayed with intensity or that he prayed earnestly.

“Land” is from the Greek word ghay, which refers to the dirt under our feet. By extension, it refers to a region of land either locally, regionally, or world-wide.

 

Meaning Explained

James now gives us an example of a righteous man whose prayer had great force. He starts off by telling us that Elijah had strong emotions just like you and I do. We sometimes think of the Old Testament prophets as men who were so controlled by God that not only did they speak the words of God, but they behaved like Spirit controlled robots. We tend to lose sight of the fact that they were not altogether different from you and me. They experienced spiritual highs and lows. Like Jonah, they were sometimes obedient and sometimes stubbornly disobedient. Like Elijah, they were sometimes firm and confident in their faith and sometimes weak and lacking in faith. They were real people just like us.

When Elijah was standing up to evil King Ahab and his wicked wife Jezebel, he prayed to God that it would not rain. These were his words spoken to Ahab:

… As the LORD God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these three years, except according to my word. (1 Kings 17:1)

You will notice if you read 1 Kings, chapter 16 that the reason for this prayer on the part of Elijah was not for personal gain. Rather, it was performed as punishment on the land of Israel for the idolatry which prevailed at that time. The culmination of this period of drought was the confrontation between Elijah and the Prophets of Baal on top of Mount Carmel. This was one of Elijah’s greatest spiritual victories for God because of his complete obedience to God. Read it in 1 Kings 16-18.

When we are being obedient to God, when we have our sins confessed, when we are following his leading, and when we are humbled before Him, the works that we do, and prayers that we pray, for His glory, will have great effect!

 

Application

God may not have called upon us to pray for a drought as He did Elijah. However, He definitely has commanded us to pray for each other, as James has just told us. And you may not have the training or talents to be in a visible leadership position in your church, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t have a vital part in the success of God’s work. Your prayers could be the very power behind the successful spreading of the gospel. If God calls on you to be a prayer warrior, don’t hold back!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

James 5:16 – Energetic, Healing Prayer

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Therefore, confess the faults to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. An effectual petition of a righteous man has great force.

Truth to Learn

In the body of Christ we all need to support each other with prayer.

 

Behind the Words

“Confess” is translated from exomologeō, which is a double compound word made up of ex, meaning “out” or “out of,” homou, meaning “together with” or “all the same” (as in homogenized), and legō, meaning “to say.” Homologeō means “to agree with,” being translated as “confess” in 1 John 1:9. With the “ex” added, it means “to confess out” or “to admit.” It is expressed here in the imperative mood, commanding us to admit our faults to one another.

The word translated “faults” is different depending on which translation you are reading from. Some translations have the Greek word hamartia, which means “sins,” whereas others have the Greek word paraptoma, which means “trespasses” or “offenses” (literally side-slips). Either way, when you take this in context with the preceding verses, it is clear that James is still talking about the person who is sick, which he indicates in this verse with the phrase, “that you may be healed.”

“Effectual petition” is translated from deēsis energoumenē  Deēsis refers to a prayer or a petition regarding a particular need for oneself or someone else, and energoumenē  refers to something that is effective or that is working.

The words “great force” are from the Greek words polu ischuei. Polu means “many” or “much” and ischuei refers to “strength, ability, or power.”

 

Meaning Explained

What we can deduce from this and the preceding two verses is that unconfessed sin can be the cause of sickness, and even death. The apostle Paul refers to this in I Corinthians 11:30 where he is talking about those who partake of communion with unconfessed sins:

For this reason many are weak and sickly among you, and many die.

This passage in James is one from which Roman Catholics base their doctrine of “auricular confession,” or verbal confession made to a priest who supposedly can then absolve (forgive) you of your sin. Notice a few things, however:

  • The confession talked about in the current verse is not made by just any person, but by a sick person.
  • This confession is to be made to an elder, not a priest (see verse 14).
  • Mutual confession is commanded here. If this pertained to auricular confession, then the priest would be as bound to confess to the people as the people are to the priest.
  • There is no mention here of “absolution,” only healing.

The last half of this verse talks about the “effectual petition …” The word rendered “effectual” is a form of energeō, which could also be rendered as “energetic,” as it refers to that which has power or energy. We have all uttered prayers that aren’t really from our heart, such as, “Now I lay me down to sleep…” What James is talking about are those prayers that we labor over, that are filled with intensity and emotion, like someone having a heart-to-heart discussion with his or her Father. James says that this type of prayer has great force.

 

Application

The body of Christ (the church) is made up of many members. And, just as the various parts of a body support and nurture the whole, we are to support and nurture each other. Admitting our faults to one another and praying for each other is essential for the health of the Church. Who are you praying for today?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

James 5:15 – Chastening Love

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And the prayer of faith will save the sickly, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he may have committed sin, it will be forgiven him.

Truth to Learn

God chastens those whom He loves and He forgives those who submit to Him, confessing their sins.

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “prayer” is not proseuchomai which was translated “prayer” in the previous two verses. This is a similar but different word, euchē. It refers to “a wish” or “a vow.” Since it is used in such obvious connection with proseuchomai, it is clear that James is referring to something other than simply a prayer. This word only appears in two other places in the New Testament (Act 18:18 and Act 21:23), both of which specifically refer to a “vow.”

The word translated “sickly” in this verse is also different from the word translated “sick” in the previous verse. Here it is kamnō, which refers to “one who is faint, weary, or sickly.” This implies that this is an ongoing sickness, producing weariness.

“Has committed” is translated from a form of poieō, meaning “to make” or “to do.” It is expressed here in the perfect tense indicating past action with an ongoing effect with the emphasis on the effect. Hence, this implies that the ongoing sickness is the result of past sins that have not been dealt with.

 

Meaning Explained

James is not simply saying that a salvation prayer or a prayer of regaining ones salvation (if you believe one can lose one’s salvation, which the Scriptures do not teach) will produce the sought after healing in this verse. He’s talking about a vow of commitment to change one’s ways. It is apparently a vow that is made in the presence of spiritual leaders of the church and implies that the person knows the reason for the sickness (being the direct, chastening hand of a loving Heavenly Father).

Though not all unpleasant events in our lives are the direct result of chastening, we all need to learn to be sensitive to the disciplining God provides. In Hebrews 12:5, 6 it says:

… my son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be faint when you are being admonished by him; for whom the Lord loves he chastens …

We choose how we react to such chastening. We can either be like the children of Israel as they wandered in the wilderness being stiff necked and resisting such chastening, or we can humble ourselves before the hand of Almighty God and in due time He will lift us up. Personally, I don’t like the way God’s chastening feels, but I praise Him for it, because I know it is applied in love with the intent of making me more like His Son.

James tells us that sickness which is the result of refusal to deal with sin in one’s life can be healed. He clearly says that God will raise up such a person when he wholeheartedly vows to change his or her ways and submit to God.

 

Application

The worst thing a Christian can do is to resist God. If you are a born-again Christian and you are refusing to deal with sin in your life, God will chasten you, because He loves you. And, if this describes you, my dear brother or sister in Christ, I beg of you to humble yourself before God. Confess your sin and deal with it. You will discover that His mercy is great and His love is sure!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

James 5:14 – Call for Healing

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Is anyone among you sick? 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.

Truth to Learn

When we are sick we need to call for help.

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “sick” is astheneō, which is made up of the privative a, meaning “not” or “without” and a form of stenos, meaning “strength.” Hence, it literally means “to be without strength,” which is interpreted as feeble, diseased, or sick.

“Let him call” is translated from proskaleomai, which is made up of pros, meaning “to” or “toward” and a form of kaleō, meaning “to call.” Hence, it means “to call toward” or “to call for.” It is expressed in the imperative mood which, as we have learned, means it is a command.

The word translated “elders” is presbuteros, which literally means “older ones” or “mature ones.” This could be a group in your church formally recognized as “elders” but more likely James is referring to those older people in the church who are spiritually mature.

The word aleipho is translated here as “anointing.” This Greek word means “to rub, to smear, or to cover over.”

“Oil” is from the Greek noun elaion, which specifically means “olive oil.” The use of olive oil, both applied externally and consumed internally, was a common medicinal remedy in the ancient world. Even today, it is known that olive oil is an effective antibiotic when applied topically and has health giving properties when taken internally.

 

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse we were admonished to pray when undergoing hardships, but this verse specifically addresses sickness, when we may feel unable to pray as we should. This was written in a day when doctors were available only for the wealthiest. Today, we call a doctor when we are sick. James is not teaching that we shouldn’t see a doctor when we are sick, but we need to remember that God is the great physician.

James says that we should call for the elders of the church. This verse specifically says that we are to “call” for them to come. It does not say that we are to wait patiently at home for their visitation as if they had a sixth sense about who in the church needs to have a visit. After all, we don’t just wait at home and expect the doctor to know when we are sick, so why should we think that our elders in the church are any different.

These elders are to be the spiritual leaders of the church and their task is to pray and anoint. Oil was used much by the ancients both in health and in sickness. The oil typically was olive oil, which does have medicinal value, but it is symbolic as well. Anointing also involves touching the sick person, and even modern science attests to the fact that the simple act of touching a person can have a healing effect both emotionally and physically.

We must be careful again that we don’t look simply at the form described here without recognizing the spiritual purpose. This is not a “magic formula” that we are to follow for guaranteed results. The elders are to pray and anoint “in the name of the Lord.” That is, they are to recognize that the true healing comes from God as He sees fit. Whether through physicians or through prayer, it is God who gives life and health.

 

Application

Often, when we are sick physically or spiritually, we are unable to pray as we ought. Calling on someone who is both healthy and mature (physically and spiritually) is not only reasonable, but wise. It demonstrates our willingness to submit to God, as well as others in the church, and to admit our need. And that’s exactly where God wants us!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

James 5:13 – Prayer and Praise

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Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.

Truth to Learn

Prayer and praise should be our natural responses to life.

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “suffering” is kakopatheō which we looked at back in verse 10. It refers to extreme hardship of any kind, be it sickness, bereavement, disappointment, persecutions, or loss of health or property.

“Pray” is translated from the Greek word proseuchomai, which is a compound word made up of pros, meaning “to” or “toward” and euchomai, which literally means “to speak out” or “to utter out loud” and thus, “to express a wish or desire.” Hence, proseuchomai means “to express a desire to someone.” It is expressed here in the imperative mood, indicating a command.

The word translated “cheerful” is euthumeō from eu, meaning good or well, and thumos, meaning “mindset” or “temperament.” Hence, it means “to have the mind well” and denotes “cheerful, pleasant, or agreeable.” It is applied to a state of mind free from trouble – the opposite of suffering.

James tells us that when we are in such a state of mind we should psallō, which literally means “to pluck or play a stringed instrument.” It also carries with it the notion of singing and making music of celebration and praise. This verb is also expressed in the imperative mood, indicating a command.

 

Meaning Explained

No matter what the hardship, James tells us that it is always appropriate to pray. We know that God can deliver us from any hardship that we suffer. But just because we pray about it and really believe, doesn’t mean that God WILL deliver us from the hardship. It could be that it is the very thing that He is using to make us more like His Son. God knows what is best for us and we need to trust that He loves us so much that He will only allow such hardship if it will ultimately bring glory to Himself.

When we do suffer from a hardship, James doesn’t tell us to just “suck it up” and endure it silently. He tells us that under such circumstances we are to express our thoughts toward God. Our Heavenly Father wants a close personal relationship with us! When we have hardships and a troubled soul we are not supposed to call our best friend on the phone and talk it out, we are to get on our knees and talk to our real best friend and Lord who hears us when we pray.

In the same way, when we are in a good state of mind, we should recognize that it is a blessing from God. The result of recognizing such blessing should be to perform music to His glory and to praise Him, both with instruments and singing. Is God blessing you? Don’t wait for Sunday morning to worship Him in song. I heard a preacher recently who said, “Don’t come to church to praise God, come to church praising God.”

 

Application

Throughout this letter James has been teaching us to “consider it joy when we are undergoing trials.” He has also told us that we need to endure these times (remain under the load). But we don’t have to do so alone. Pray your way through such times because God loves you!

And when the times of joy come (for they will come) rejoice, knowing that God is behind them. Give Him praise! Have you allowed your joy in the Lord to express itself in song lately? Now would be a good time, wouldn’t it!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved