James 5:16

τὰς ἁμαρτίας with אABP, several cursives, Fathers and versions apparently; Old Latin and Vulgate have peccata. τὰ παραπτώματα KL and some of the Fathers.

16. ἐξομολογεῖσθε … ὅπως ἰαθῆτε. It is disputed whether ἰαθῆτε be used of physical healing or in a figurative sense. The context certainly points rather to the first explanation. St James urges the practice (note the present imperatives) of mutual confession and intercessory prayer as appointed means of recovery from sickness.

πολὺ ἰσχύει κ.τ.λ. In its primary sense this clause is to be taken with the preceding words. Prayer of a righteous man is a strong force, an effective remedy in its working. ἐνεργουμένη, middle not passive, as the following examples seem to shew: 2 Corinthians 1:6 εἴτε παρακαλούμεθα, ὑπὲρ τῆς ὑμῶν παρακλήσεως τῆς ἐνεργουμένης ἐν ὑπομονῇ τῶν αὐτῶν παθημάτων ὦν καὶ ἡμεῖς πάσχομεν, James 4:12 ὁ θάνατος ἐν ἡμῖν ἐνεργεῖται, Ephesians 3:20 κατὰ τὴν δύναμιν τὴν ἐνεργουμένην ἐν ἡμῖν. See also Colossians 1:29; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Thessalonians 2:7.

The participle may indicate either (a) the cause, or (b) the time of the effectiveness of the prayer; that is (a) through its working, or (b) while it is working, is in activity.

As an instance of such effective prayer, which must have been often present to St James’ mind, see Acts 12:12, when St Peter, delivered from prison, came to the house of Mary, οὖ ἦσαν ἰκανοὶ συνηθροισμένοι καὶ προσευχόμενοι. See James 5:17 ἀπαγγείλατε Ἰακώβῳ καὶ τοῖς�. St James’ own practice strikingly agreed with his words here: μόνος εἰσήρχετο εἰς τὸν ναόν, ηὑρίσκετό τε κείμενος ἐπὶ τοῖς γόνασι, καὶ αἰτούμενος ὑπὲρ τοῦ λαοῦ ἄφεσιν, ὡς�, Hegesip. ap. Eus. H. E. II. 23.

The great physician, Sir Andrew Clark, two days before his death, said in answer to a question: “Not value prayers! Prayer is that which moves more than medicine; prayer is all powerful: it is the basis of love. Pray for me always.”