Beth-El Baptist Church

08/21/2011

Greg Tomlinson


What does James mean by anointing the sick with oil?


Some denominations will use a vegetable or olive oil and either pour or swab some on the head of someone who is sick. Other denominations identify the oil as being the Holy Spirit and thus the picture is to present the Gospel so that the sick may be healed of their true affliction – sin.


  1. What is the context of the statement?

James 5:1-6; 5:7-9; 5:10-16


After evaluating the misguided focus of the rich upon their wealth, James calls for the believer to be patient with respect to the pending return of the Lord and to deal appropriately with one another without complaining. James uses the example of the prophets and their suffering and patience while proclaiming the coming of the Lord. As a result of their example, we should likewise be patient and endure until the return of the Lord. The conduct of man is to be God focused and lived out in the fear of the Lord. We are to be a reflection of His presence in our lives. With the attention of the reader directed toward the pending return of the Lord and our conduct until He does return, James evaluates some specifics of life and how to deal with them. James looks at affliction, cheerfulness, and sickness (weakness, feebleness, powerlessness). The anointing that James identifies is to be done by the elders (presbuteros – used for pastors) in the context of faith and confession.


  1. What kind of sickness or weakness is in mind?

Matthew 10:5-10 Mark 6:53-56

John 5:2-4; 11:1-6 Acts 9:36-37; 20:34-35

Romans 4:17-21; 8:1-5; 14:1-5, 19-23 1 Corinthians 8:6-13

2 Corinthians 11:18-21, 27-30; 12:7-10; 13:1-5


In the Gospels, the term for sickness appears to be primarily understood in regards to physical weakness or illness. In the letters of Paul, the term is generally used to indicate spiritual weakness. In only a few places is it clear that Paul is speaking of physical weakness or illness. For James, verse 14 is the only place he uses the term so the understanding of weakness must be understood in light of the greater context. Because the context of verse 14 deals with a need for patience while awaiting the return of the Lord as well faithful and truthful communication and faithful prayers. It appears that the majority of the context has to do with spiritual issues rather than physical issues. This will then indicate that the sick person needing anointing is most likely suffering from a struggle of faith and faithful endurance in light of the challenging times.


  1. What kind of anointing is in mind?

James 5:14 Genesis 28:16-22

Exodus 28:40-41; 29:1-7; 40:9-15 2 Samuel 12:20; 14:2

2 Chronicles 28:15 Esther 2:12-13

Matthew 6:16-18 Mark 16:1

Luke 4:18; 7:36-38 Isaiah 61:1-3

Ezekiel 16:3-13 Mark 6:7-13

Acts 10:38-40 1 Corinthians 1:21-22


The first thing to note is that the word “anointing” is a participle which is a verbal modifier. This participle would be modifying the word “pray”. The anointing is bound to the word “pray”. This would indicating that the prayer itself is indicative of providing an anointing. As words of anointing are evaluated, they are used in two general ways. The first is that anointing indicates a type of cleansing. After washing, the cleansing would be more complete through anointing. People in mourning would not be anointed. Jesus calls those who fast to wash themselves and to anoint themselves. The second primary use of words of anointing has to do with a Holy separation. Jacob anointed the rocks of Beth-El to indicate it as a Holy place. The priests were to be anointed to indicate that they are Holy vessels unto God, separated for His divine purpose. The kings would also be anointed indicating their Holy calling to lead people. Only in the New Testament could an anointing be in any way associated with some sort of medicinal or healing process. Nearly all references are associated with a cleansing or Holy separation unto God. The anointing of James then would most likely be associated with a Holy Separation of the sick person unto God.


  1. What kind of oil is in mind?

Matthew 25:1-12 Hebrews 1:8-10

Luke 11:21-23 Acts 1:7-8; 2:16-18

Matthew 3:11-12 Acts 2:36-39

Galatians 6:1-6 Ephesians 1:13-14


In the Old and New Testaments, when oil is referred to, it is a liquid substance that is poured out in the process of anointing. Since the anointing is a separation of an individual for a Holy purpose of God, we must look into the substance that separates an individual for God's Holy purposes.


When James talks of anointing the sick with oil, it seems that he is most likely describing a process in which the spiritual leaders of the church pray over those who are struggling with maintaining faith in the midst of struggles and persecutions so that the Holy Spirit of God would provide the guidance and direction needed to continue moving forward. It does not appear to be associated with a physical healing but with spiritual comfort.