How did the Church Fathers comment on the words of James the Apostle: “Is anyone among you sick? 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 will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed” (James 5:14–16)?

Origen believes that it is fitting for the believer to enjoy, along with his brethren, the forgiveness of sins and a holy life in Christ. In his homilies on Leviticus (Ch. 1–16), he lists some of the events in which the believer receives this gift:

First: When we are baptized, we receive the forgiveness of our sins (Mark 1:4).

Second: If God allows us to go through the sufferings of martyrdom, we receive forgiveness.

Third: When we give to the poor, we receive forgiveness of our sins, as the Lord says: “ But rather give alms of such things as you have; then indeed all things are clean to you” (Luke 11:41).

Fourth: We receive forgiveness when we forgive our brethren, for the Lord the Savior Himself says: “If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matt. 6:14–15).

Fifth: He offers us forgiveness by saying, “Let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:20).

Sixth: Sins are forgiven when there is an overflow of love, according to the Lord’s words: “Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little” (Luke 5:47). Also, the apostle says, “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins’” (1 Pet. 4:8).

Seventh: Forgiveness of sins through remorse, albeit with difficulty and effort, where the sinner drenches his couch with tears (Ps. 6:7).

Eighth: James the Apostle gives an opportunity for the sick person to call for the priests of the Church, that they may lay their hands on him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick and his sins will be forgiven (James 5:14– 15).

Origen therefore believes that a wise believer, even if he prays for the healing of his body, submitting his life into the hands of his Savior to do what is good for him, he remains concerned with his eternal life and looks at his sickness as an opportunity for him to offer a true repentance and to confess, asking God for the forgiveness of his sins.

In his discourse on Christian Priesthood, St. John Chrysostom distinguishes between parents’ love for their children in the flesh, and the priests’ love for their children in the spirit. Parents are more concerned that their children would not offend any authoritative figure which is not really beneficial for them; but what concerns the priest is the reconciliation between the sick person and God Himself, rather than rulers and kings.

Caesarius of Arles believes that James the Apostle encourages believers to turn to the Church when they suffer from any illness, and not to sorcerers or fortune-tellers, as the Church prays for the healing of their bodies and the salvation of their soul.