Matthew Poole and continuators on James 5:14

14 Is any sick among you? 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 .

Or infirm, though not desperately and incurably.

Especially teaching Elders, they being usually best furnished with gifts who labour in the Word and Doctrine, 1 Tim. 5.17. It is in the Plural Number, either by an E[illegible: 1 letter]allage for the Singular, q. d. let him send for some or other of the Elders; or, because there were in those times usually several Elders (an Ecclesiastical Senate) in each Church.

As it were setting him before God, and presenting him to him, which might be a means to stir up the greater affection and warmth in Prayer, see 1 King. 17.21. and 2 King. 4.33, 34. Iohn 11.41. Acts 20.10. and 9.40. or laying on their hands, as Acts 28.8. which yet seems to be for the same end.

An outward rite used in those times, in miraculous healing Sick persons, which might then be kept up, while the Gift whereof it was the Symbol continued; but the Gift ceasing, it is vainly used. These Cures were sometimes wrought only with a Word, Acts 9.34. and 14.10. and 16.18. Sometimes by taking by the Hand, or embracing, Act. 3.7. and 20.10. Sometimes by laying on of Han[illegible: 1 letter]s, Mark 16.18. Act. 9.17. Sometimes by anointing with Oil, Mark 6.13. and so this is not an institution of a Sacrament, but a command, that those Elders that had the Gift of Healing (as many in those days had) being called by the Sick to come to them, should (the Spirit of of the Lord so directing them) exercise that Gift, as well as Pray over them.

Either, calling upon the Lord, and so joining Prayer with their anointing; or, in the Name, is by the Authority of the Lord, from whom they had received that Gift.