SEV Biblia, Chapter 5:18
Y otra vez or, y el cielo dio lluvia, y la tierra produjo su fruto.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - James 5:18
Verse 18. And he prayed again] This second prayer is not mentioned in the history in express words, but as in 1 Kings xviii. 42, it is said, He cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees; that was probably the time of the second praying, namely, that rain might come, as this was the proper posture of prayer.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 18. And he prayed again , etc.] ( 1 Kings 18:42,43). Here also is no express mention of his prayer, but it may be concluded from his gestures; and so the Jewish interpreters understand these words, Elijah went up to the top of Carmel, llpthl , to pray, and he cast himself down upon the earth, ymgh l[ llpthl , to pray for rain; and he put his face between his knees, llpthw , and prayed, and said to his servant, go up now, look toward the sea; and this he said while he was wtlyptb , in his prayers f57 : and the effect of this his prayer was, and the heaven gave rain ; (see 1 Kings 18:45). And the earth brought forth her fruit : which for the years past it had not; hence there was a sore famine in the land, ( 1 Kings 18:2). Now the apostle chose to give this example, because it was a common thing for the Jews to ask for rain: we often read of such a doctor, that he prayed for rain, and it came; and of another, that he asked for the rains, and they descended f58 : and his view is to observe, that the weakness and infirmities of the saints ought not to discourage them from prayer; and that they should be earnest and fervent in it, as was Elias, a man of like passions with themselves.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 12-18 - The sin of swearing is condemned; but how many make light of commo profane swearing! Such swearing expressly throws contempt upon God' name and authority. This sin brings neither gain, nor pleasure, no reputation, but is showing enmity to God without occasion and withou advantage It shows a man to be an enemy to God, however he pretends to call himself by his name, or sometimes joins in acts of worship. But the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. In day of affliction nothing is more seasonable than prayer. The spirit i then most humble, and the heart is broken and tender. It is necessar to exercise faith and hope under afflictions; and prayer is the appointed means for obtaining and increasing these graces. Observe that the saving of the sick is not ascribed to the anointing with oil but to prayer. In a time of sickness it is not cold and formal praye that is effectual, but the prayer of faith. The great thing we shoul beg of God for ourselves and others in the time of sickness is, the pardon of sin. Let nothing be done to encourage any to delay, under the mistaken fancy that a confession, a prayer, a minister's absolution an exhortation, or the sacrament, will set all right at last, where the duties of a godly life have been disregarded. To acknowledge our fault to each other, will tend greatly to peace and brotherly love. And when a righteous person, a true believer, justified in Christ, and by his grace walking before God in holy obedience, presents an effectua fervent prayer, wrought in his heart by the power of the Holy Spirit raising holy affections and believing expectations and so leadin earnestly to plead the promises of God at his mercy-seat, it avail much. The power of prayer is proved from the history of Elijah. I prayer we must not look to the merit of man, but to the grace of God It is not enough to say a prayer, but we must pray in prayer. Thought must be fixed, desires must be firm and ardent, and graces exercised This instance of the power of prayer, encourages every Christian to be earnest in prayer. God never says to any of the seed of Jacob, Seek m face in vain. Where there may not be so much of miracle in God' answering our prayers, yet there may be as much of grace.
Greek Textus Receptus
αδελφοι 80 N-VPM εαν 1437 COND τις 5100 X-NSM εν 1722 PREP υμιν 5213 P-2DP πλανηθη 4105 5686 V-APS-3S απο 575 PREP της 3588 T-GSF αληθειας 225 N-GSF και 2532 CONJ επιστρεψη 1994 5661 V-AAS-3S τις 5100 X-NSM αυτον 846 P-ASM
