James 5:18

James 5:18 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
• New International Version (NIV)Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.
• New King James Version (NKJV)And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.

Context of James 5:18

16Therefore, confess your sins to one another [your false steps, your offenses], and pray for one another, that you may be healed and restored. The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) is able to accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power]. 17Elijah was a man with a nature like ours [with the same physical, mental, and spiritual limitations and shortcomings], and he prayed intensely for it not to rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. Then he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the land produced its crops [as usual]. 19My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you strays from the truth and falls into error and [another] one turns him back [to God], 20let the [latter] one know that the one who has turned a sinner from the error of his way will save that one’s soul from death and cover a multitude of sins [that is, obtain the pardon of the many sins committed by the one who has been restored].

James 5:18 word by word

καὶ πάλιν προσηύξατο καὶ ὁ οὐρανὸς ὑετὸν ἔδωκεν καὶ ἡ γῆ ἐβλάστησεν τὸν καρπὸν αὐτῆς.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Andκαίkai · andG2532
• he prayedπροσεύχομαιproseuchomai · to prayG4336
• againπάλινpalin · againG3825
• the heavenὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the heavenοὐρανόςouranos · heavenG3772
• gaveδίδωμιdidōmi · to giveG1325
• rainὑετόςhuetos · rainG5205
• the earthγῆgē · earth: planetG1093
• brought forthβλαστάνωblastanō · to sproutG985
• herαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• fruitκαρπόςkarpos · fruitG2590

Cross-references for James 5:18

• 1 Kings 18:18Elijah said, “I have not brought disaster on Israel, but you and your father’s household have, by abandoning (rejecting) the commandments of the Lord and by following the Baals.
• Jeremiah 14:22Are there any among the idols of the nations who can send rain? Or can the heavens [of their own will] give showers? Is it not You, O Lord our God? Therefore we will wait and hope [confidently] in You, For You are the one who has made all these things [the heavens and the rain].
• Acts 14:17yet He did not leave Himself without some witness [as evidence of Himself], in that He kept constantly doing good things and showing you kindness, and giving you rains from heaven and productive seasons, filling your hearts with food and happiness.”

Commentaries on James 5:18

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 18And he prayed again - This second prayer is not mentioned in the history in express words, but as in 1 Kings 18:42, 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.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 18And he prayed again - The allusion here seems to be to 1 Kings 18:42, 1 Kings 18:45, though it is not expressly said there that he prayed. Perhaps it might be fairly gathered from the narrative that he did pray, or at least that would be the presumption, for he put himself into a natural attitude of prayer. “He cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees,” 1 Kings 18:42. In such circumstances, it is to be fairly presumed that such…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 12-18Verses 12-18 The sin of swearing is condemned; but how many make light of common profane swearing! Such swearing expressly throws contempt upon God's name and authority. This sin brings neither gain, nor pleasure, nor reputation, but is showing enmity to God without occasion and without 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…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1818. prayed ... and--that is, "and so." Mark the connection between the prayer and its accomplishment. her fruit--her usual and due fruit, heretofore withheld on account of sin. Three and a half years is the time also that the two witnesses prophesy who "have power to shut and open heaven that it rain not."Read the comment

Topics related to James 5:18

• Blessing
• Elijah
• Intercession
• Meteorology and Celestial Phenomena
• Prayer
• Rain

In the dictionaries

• Convert
• Elijah
• Grudge
• Howl
• Nourish
• Pitiful
• Prayer
• Tender
• Wanton
• Intercession

Commentaries on James 5

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings