Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
The oldest authorities read, "Confess, THEREFORE," etc. Not only in the particular case of sickness, but universally confess.
faults—your falls and offenses, in relation to one another. The word is not the same as sins. Matthew 5:23-24; Luke 17:4, illustrate the precept here.
one to another—not to the priest, as Rome insists. The Church of England recommends in certain cases. Rome compels confession in all cases. Confession is desirable in the case of (1) wrong done to a neighbor; (2) when under a troubled conscience we ask counsel of a godly minister or friend as to how we may obtain God's forgiveness and strength to sin no more, or when we desire their intercessory prayers for us ("Pray for one another"): "Confession may be made to anyone who can pray" [BENGEL]; (3) open confession of sin before the Church and the world, in token of penitence. Not auricular confession.
that ye may be healed—of your bodily sicknesses. Also that, if your sickness be the punishment of sin, the latter being forgiven on intercessory prayer, "ye may be healed" of the former. Also, that ye may be healed spiritually.
effectual—intense and fervent, not "wavering" (James 1:6), [BEZA]. "When energized" by the Spirit, as those were who performed miracles [HAMMOND]. This suits the collocation of the Greek words and the sense well. A righteous man's prayer is always heard generally, but his particular request for the healing of another was then likely to be granted when he was one possessing a special charism of the Spirit. ALFORD translates, "Availeth much in its working." The "righteous" is one himself careful to avoid "faults," and showing his faith by works (James 2:24).
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing James 5:16:
Genesis 18:23
Song of Solomon 5:8
Jeremiah 42:2
Ezekiel 14:12
Daniel 9:24
Amos 7:3
Zechariah 4:11-12
James 5:6
James 5:15
1 John 5:17
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