ACC ~ James 5 v14

THE OIL OF MERCY. HILARY OF ARLES: This sickness is the sickness of sin. If someone is struck down by his own thoughts, then he should pray on his own, but if he has committed some sin he should ask for the church’s prayers. The custom mentioned here is followed even today, for the grace of mercy is symbolized by oil. INTRODUCTORY TRACTATE ON THE LETTER OF JAMES.

PRAY FOR THE SICK. BEDE: Just as he has already advised the person who has been injured, so now James gives his advice to the one who is ill. In order to prevent the foolishness of complaining, he told the injured person to pray and sing, and now he tells the person who is sick, either in body or in faith, to call the elders in proportion to the gravity of the illness which he is enduring. James does not advise this person to call the younger members of the church because they are less experienced in such matters and run the risk of saying or doing something which will make matters worse. We read in the New Testament that the apostles did this sort of thing, and the custom is retained in the church, that the priests will anoint a person who is ill and pray for his healing. And this is not the prerogative of the priests only, for in cases of necessity any Christian may do this, provided that he uses only oil which has been consecrated by the bishop. And of course anyone who anoints a sick person in this way must invoke the name of God over him while doing so. CONCERNING THE EPISTLE OF ST. JAMES.

AN APOSTOLIC PRACTICE. OECUMENIUS: The apostles did this even during the time when our Lord was still on earth. They anointed the sick with oil and healed them. COMMENTARY ON JAMES.

Jas