New International Version Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. New Living Translation Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. English Standard Version Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Berean Standard Bible Is any one of you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises. Berean Literal Bible Is anyone among you⁺ suffering evil? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praises. King James Bible Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. New King James Version Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. New American Standard Bible Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. NASB 1995 Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. NASB 1977 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praises. Legacy Standard Bible Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. Amplified Bible Is anyone among you suffering? He must pray. Is anyone joyful? He is to sing praises [to God]. Berean Annotated Bible Is any one of you⁺ suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises. Christian Standard Bible Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises. Holman Christian Standard Bible Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises. American Standard Version Is any among you suffering? let him pray. Is any cheerful? let him sing praise. Contemporary English Version If you are having trouble, you should pray. And if you are feeling good, you should sing praises. English Revised Version Is any among you suffering? let him pray. Is any cheerful? let him sing praise. GOD'S WORD® Translation If any of you are having trouble, pray. If you are happy, sing psalms. Good News Translation Are any among you in trouble? They should pray. Are any among you happy? They should sing praises. International Standard Version Is anyone among you suffering? He should keep on praying. Is anyone cheerful? He should keep reciting psalms. NET Bible Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone in good spirits? He should sing praises. New Heart English Bible Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises. Webster's Bible Translation Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any cheerful? let him sing psalms. Weymouth New Testament Is one of you suffering? Let him pray. Is any one in good spirits? Let him sing a psalm. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleIs any one of you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises. World English Bible Is any among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praises. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionDoes anyone suffer evil among you? Let him pray; is anyone of good cheer? Let him sing psalms; Berean Literal Bible Is anyone among you⁺ suffering evil? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praises. Young's Literal Translation Doth any one suffer evil among you? let him pray; is any of good cheer? let him sing psalms; Smith's Literal Translation Does any suffer among you? let him pray. Is any cheerful? let him play on the harp. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleIs any of you sad? Let him pray. Is he cheerful in mind? Let him sing. Catholic Public Domain Version Is any of you sad? Let him pray. Is he even-tempered? Let him sing psalms. New American Bible Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone in good spirits? He should sing praise. New Revised Standard Version Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleIf any among you be afflicted, let him pray. If any be merry, let him sing psalms. Aramaic Bible in Plain English And if any of you is in suffering, let him pray, and if rejoicing, let him sing songs. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentIs any one among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any one cheerful? let him sing praise. Godbey New Testament Who is afflicted among you? let him pray. Who is merry? let him sing psalms. Haweis New Testament Is any man among you under afflictions? let him pray. Is any man happy in mind? let him sing psalms. Mace New Testament Is any among you afflicted? let him pray, is his mind serene? let him sing psalms. Weymouth New Testament Is one of you suffering? Let him pray. Is any one in good spirits? Let him sing a psalm. Worrell New Testament Is anyone among you afflicted? let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? let him sing praise. Worsley New Testament Is any among you afflicted? let him pray: is any chearful? let him sing psalms. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context The Prayer of Faith12Above all, my brothers, do not swear, not by heaven or earth or by any other oath. Simply let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, so that you will not fall under judgment. 13Is any one of you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises. 14Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.… Cross References Is any one of you suffering? Psalm 50:15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me.” Psalm 120:1 A song of ascents. In my distress I cried to the LORD, and He answered me. Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer. He should pray. Luke 18:1 Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart: Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing. Is anyone cheerful? Proverbs 15:13 A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit. Proverbs 17:22 A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice at all times. He should sing praises. Ephesians 5:19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord, Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Psalm 95:1-2 Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout to the Rock of our salvation! / Let us enter His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him in song. 1 Peter 4:12-13 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you. / But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory. Psalm 34:17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears; He delivers them from all their troubles. Psalm 145:18 The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call out to Him in truth. Psalm 18:6 In my distress I called upon the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry for His help reached His ears. Treasury of Scripture Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. any among. 2 Chronicles 33:12,13 And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, … Job 33:26 He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness. Psalm 18:6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. any merry. Judges 16:23-25 Then the lords of the Philistines gathered them together for to offer a great sacrifice unto Dagon their god, and to rejoice: for they said, Our god hath delivered Samson our enemy into our hand… Daniel 5:4 They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone. let him sing. 1 Chronicles 16:9 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works. Psalm 95:2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. Psalm 105:2 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works. Jump to Previous Afflicted Cheer Cheerful Evil Glad Good Happy Merry Praise Praises Prayers Psalm Psalms Sing Song Spirits Suffer Suffering TroubleJump to Next Afflicted Cheer Cheerful Evil Glad Good Happy Merry Praise Praises Prayers Psalm Psalms Sing Song Spirits Suffer Suffering TroubleJames 5 1. Rich oppressors are to fear God's vengeance.7. We ought to be patient in afflictions, after the example of the prophets, and Job; 12. to forbear swearing; 13. to pray in adversity, to sing in prosperity; 14. to acknowledge mutually our several faults, to pray one for another; 19. and to correct a straying brother. Is any one of you suffering? Believers are not exempt from hardship. James writes to Christians facing trials, including persecution, poverty, illness, and personal distress. The Greek word for suffering implies enduring hardship. Suffering tests faith and calls for steadfast dependence on God. Psa 50:15 “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you”… He should pray. The afflicted believer is to bring his need directly to God, seeking mercy, wisdom, strength, and deliverance. Prayer acknowledges that God rules over every circumstance and hears His people in trouble. Luk 18:1 Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray… Is anyone cheerful? Christian life also includes seasons of peace, gratitude, and gladness. Such joy rests not merely on favorable circumstances but on God’s goodness and the hope believers possess in Christ. Pro 15:13 A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance,… He should sing praises. Joy is rightly expressed in worship. Singing directs gratitude to God, declares His faithfulness, and strengthens the faith of the gathered church. Eph 5:19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns… Persons / Places / Events 1. JamesThe author of the epistle, traditionally understood to be James, the brother of Jesus and a leader in the early Jerusalem church. His letter is practical and pastoral, addressing the conduct of believers. 2. Early Christian Communities The recipients of the letter, likely Jewish Christians scattered outside of Palestine, facing various trials and challenges in their faith journey. 3. Prayer and Praise Central themes in this verse, highlighting the appropriate responses to different life circumstances within the Christian community. Teaching Points The Power of Prayer in SufferingPrayer is the believer's first response to suffering, reflecting trust in God's sovereignty and care. The Greek word for "suffering" encompasses a range of hardships, encouraging believers to bring all forms of distress to God. The Joy of Praise in Cheerfulness Singing praises is an expression of gratitude and acknowledgment of God's goodness in times of joy. The act of praising God in cheerfulness strengthens faith and community, as it publicly declares God's faithfulness. Consistency in Spiritual Practices Whether in suffering or cheerfulness, maintaining a consistent practice of prayer and praise keeps believers grounded in their faith. This consistency reflects a holistic approach to life, where every circumstance is an opportunity to connect with God. Community and Individual Responsibility While the verse addresses individual responses, it also implies a communal aspect where believers support one another through prayer and shared praise. Encouraging others to pray and praise fosters a supportive and spiritually vibrant community. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of James 5:13?2. How can prayer be a response to suffering according to James 5:13? 3. What role does praise play when experiencing joy, as seen in James 5:13? 4. How does James 5:13 connect with Philippians 4:6 on prayer and thanksgiving? 5. In what ways can you incorporate prayer and praise into daily life? 6. How does James 5:13 encourage reliance on God during both trials and triumphs? 7. How does James 5:13 encourage prayer in times of suffering and joy? 8. What historical context influenced the writing of James 5:13? 9. How does James 5:13 relate to the power of prayer in Christian theology? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from James 5? (13) We now pass on to advice of different kinds--to the heavy-laden or light-hearted, to the suffering and afflicted. Prayer is to be the refuge of one, praise the safeguard of another; the whole life is to revolve, as it were, around the throne of God, whether in the night of grief or day of joy. Let him pray.--No worthier comment can be found than Montgomery's hymn-- "Prayer is the burden of a sigh, The falling of a tear, The upward glancing of an eye, When none but God is near." Long petitions, or many, cannot be always made; mind and body may be too weak and ill; but ejaculations--"Arrows of the Lord's deliverance," as Augustine called them, "shot out with a sudden quickness"--these are ever in the power of the beleaguered Christian. And-- "More things are wrought by prayer Than this world dreams of." Let him sing.--The word originally applied to instrumental music, the Eastern accompaniment of "psalms." Praise, like prayer, ought to be individual as well as congregational. Hymns might be used by all in their devotions, and could not fail to be a blessing; while for those who have God's great gift of music, it were surely better to sing--as the Apostle urges--than to say. There is a sadness latent in the most jubilant of earthly tunes, but not so with the heavenly; and quiring angels do not scorn to catch our humblest notes, and weave them in their endless song, if they be raised in thankfulness to Him Whom they and all creation praise. Verses 13-20. - Exhortations with respect to practical conduct in health and sickness. Verse 13. -(1) Is any among you suffering? let him pray. (2) Is any cheerful? let him sing praise. Prayer in the narrower sense of petition is rather for sufferers, who need to have their wants supplied and their sorrows removed. Praise, the highest form of prayer, is to spring up from the grateful heart of the cheerful. Ψάλλειν (cf. Romans 15:9; 1 Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 5:19). James 5:13 sets one simple rule for every season: turn to God. In distress, pray; in delight, praise. Whether tears or laughter fill the day, the believer’s reflex is God-ward dependence and gratitude. Prayer and praise keep hearts aligned with the unchanging Lord who hears, helps, and deserves all glory.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek {Is} any oneτις (tis) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object. of ἐν (en) Preposition Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. you ὑμῖν (hymin) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. suffering? Κακοπαθεῖ (Kakopathei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 2553: To suffer evil, endure affliction. From the same as kakopatheia; to undergo hardship. He should pray. προσευχέσθω (proseuchesthō) Verb - Present Imperative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 4336: To pray, pray for, offer prayer. From pros and euchomai; to pray to God, i.e. Supplicate, worship. {Is} anyone τις (tis) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object. cheerful? εὐθυμεῖ (euthymei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 2114: From euthumos; to cheer up, i.e. be cheerful; neuter comparative more cheerfully. He should sing praises. ψαλλέτω (psalletō) Verb - Present Imperative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 5567: Probably strengthened from psao; to twitch or twang, i.e. To play on a stringed instrument. Additonal Resources James 5:13 Blue Letter BibleJames 5:13 Bible Gateway James 5:13 Bible.com James 5:13 NIV |
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