Let the Elders Anoint the Sick with Oil

Is any 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; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up....

                                                                                   (James 5:14-15)

Anointing with olive oil was a common practice in the ancient world.  When Jesus sent out the twelve, they “anointed with oil many that were sick”, and presumably this was following a pattern set by Jesus (Mark 6:13).  The oil could be directly for medicinal purposes (Luke 10:34), or the action of anointing could represent the setting aside of someone or something as belonging to God.  This latter understanding seems relevant in James.  By pouring on oil the sick person was shown by this symbol that he was being transferred to God for healing, as too was demonstrated by prayer. This symbol seems apt only in a society where such practices were accepted and understood. The principle behind it is practical concern for someone who is ill, entrusting the person to the care of God.