James continues his discourse about one of the great arenas the Lord uses for sanctification: sickness. Like verse 14, verse 15 is often misused or misinterpreted by the Christian church. Specifically, the phrase "The prayer of faith shall save the sick."
First, some incorrectly use this verse to rebuke believers who are not healed faulting them for their apparent lack of unbelief in the face of continued sickness. But the "prayer of faith" is one that is offered by the elders who are visiting the one who is suffering, not the sick person. If anyone is at "fault" it is the elders.
Second, "shall save the sick" is not an iron-clad guarantee that this prayer will always be answered. The testimony of Scripture tells us that the Lord does not always heal in a miraculous, instantaneous manner. For example, although the Lord used Paul to heal others through a miraculous handkerchief, yet such healing was not given to his own traveling companions. There are prayers the Lord always answers – the prayer for forgiveness or James's own declaration regarding asking for wisdom – this prayer is different. As James's word choice for prayer indicates, he assumes that we are praying according to the Great Physician's will.
James also leaves open the possibility that the one for whom the elders are praying may be suffering sickness due to sin. As such, it is appropriate for the elders to address such questions during such an elder visitation, as well as for the sick person to repent. James assumes this as he goes on to assure us that such sins will indeed be forgiven
Featuring a sermon puts it on the front page of the site and is the most effective way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands including all mobile platforms + newsletter.
Text-Featuring a sermon is a less expensive way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands on the right bar with optional newsletter inclusion. As low as $30/day.
Kurt Snow serves as a ruling elder at Covenant Reformed Church of Sacramento (RCUS). He served as a member of the Board of Governors of City Seminary of Sacramento from 2000 to 2020.
