• Health crisis
• Someone facing a health crisis
• Is there physical healing in James 5?
• If there is, then many of us lack faith
• Learn about Bible interpretation
• Many/most are not physically healed
• Is lack of healing due to lack of faith?
• If so, whose faith is lacking?
• Bible characters NOT healed (Timothy,
Trophimus, Epaphroditus, Paul)
• In what sense is the sick person “saved”
• What is the connection between sin and
sickness?
• Is physical sickness the only interpretation?
hardships associated with following Jesus
Physical sickness
“Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who
were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he
laid his hands on every one of them and healed them.” (Luke
4:40, ESV)
Spiritual, psychological or emotional weakness
“However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through
former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an
idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.” (1
Corinthians 8:7, ESV)
Weak faith
“He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body,
which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred
years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s
womb.” (Romans 4:19, ESV)
Physical Healing
But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you
come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant
will be healed.” (Matthew 8:8, ESV)
Spiritual Restoration
“For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears
they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest
they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and
understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal
them.’” (Matthew 13:15, ESV)
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we
might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds
you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24, ESV)
Physical Healing
And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many
who were sick and healed them.” (Mark 6:13, ESV)
Preparation for Jesus’ Burial
“When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the
mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they
might go and anoint him.” (Mark 16:1, ESV)
Personal care
“But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that
your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father
who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will
reward you.” (Matthew 6:17–18, ESV)
Here, anointing with oil may refer to
refreshing someone who is going through a
difficult time of spiritual struggle and many
have “let themselves go.”
• Context of the NT Epistles
• Context of James
• Preceding context. James 5:13
• Following context. James 5:16, 19-20
• James 5:13-18 not for times of physical sickness
• No formula guaranteeing physical healing
• Powerful remedy for struggles with sin and
weakness
• Elders have a vital role for those struggling with
sin, defeat and spiritual weakness
• Path to victory is through confession