13. Tlpotevyhtidw 4 /aXXsrw, let him pray ; let him sing psalms) It is allowable also to sing psalms in adversity, and to pray in prosperity: but in adversity the mind in general is less able to endure the sing- ing of psalms ; and that which the mind endures ought rather to he done. They were especially accustomed to do this in public in the assembly of the faithful ; as the antithesis shows, let him call for , as applied to the sick : ver. 14.
14. npsfffiurepoug, the elders) For while they pray, it is much the same as though the whole Church should pray. — dXs/^avrsg avrov sXatu, anointing him with oil) That which Christ had committed to the apostles, Mark vi. 13, was afterwards continued in the Church, even after the times of the apostles : and this very gift, remarkably simple, conspicuous, and serviceable, was of longer continuance than any other. See an instance in the works of Macarius , p. 272. And Ephraim Syrus has a remarkable testimony, (fv/n(3ovX . ocr. : ’Eav o/xoi lo/uiav prXripuv aXelprig tXalu rov xu/xvovru, x.r.X. : If in dis- charge of thy office , thou anointest the sick with oil . It even seems to have been given by God with this intent, that it might always re- main in the Church, as a specimen of the other gifts : just as the portion of Manna laid up in the ark was a proof of the ancient miracle. It is clear that James assigns the administration of this oil to the presbyters , who were the ordinary ministers. This was
1 AB Vulg. both Syr. Mempli. Memph. Theb. read v^ro Kplciv ; and soElzev. Rec. Text. But Stephens’ Rec. Text has tig vrrroKpivtv, with inferior authorities. — E.
40