Does God Still Heal Today — In Biblical Context
The Bible records many miraculous healings by Jesus and the apostles and affirms that God can heal today, though He sovereignly chooses when and how.
The Bible records many miraculous healings by Jesus and the apostles and affirms that God can heal today, though He sovereignly chooses when and how.
"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: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick." — James 5:14-15 (KJV)
The Biblical Context
Jesus healed 'all manner of sickness and all manner of disease' (Matthew 4:23) as evidence of God's kingdom. He commissioned His followers to heal (Matthew 10:1, Mark 16:18). James instructs the sick to call for elders to pray and anoint with oil (James 5:14-15). God clearly can heal—the question is whether He always wills to. Paul had a 'thorn in the flesh' God chose not to remove (2 Corinthians 12:7-9). Timothy had stomach problems Paul advised treating medically (1 Timothy 5:23). Trophimus was left sick (2 Timothy 4:20). God heals through prayer, medicine, doctors, time, and sometimes miraculously. All healing ultimately comes from God (Exodus 15:26). Believers should pray with faith, accept God's sovereignty, and trust that He works all things for good (Romans 8:28), whether through healing or through grace to endure.
Where It Sits in Scripture
The core passage for this question, James 5:14-15, sits inside James 5. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.
"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: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick."
Supporting Passages
"I am the LORD that healeth thee."
"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness."
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