James 5:18

Translations

King James Version (KJV)

And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

American King James Version (AKJV)

And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

American Standard Version (ASV)

And he prayed again; and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

Basic English Translation (BBE)

And he made another prayer, and the heaven sent down rain and the earth gave her fruit.

Webster's Revision

And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth its fruit.

World English Bible

He prayed again, and the sky gave rain, and the earth brought forth its fruit.

English Revised Version (ERV)

And he prayed again; and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

Clarke's James 5:18 Bible Commentary

And 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.

Barnes's James 5:18 Bible Commentary

And 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 a man would pray; but it is remarkable that it is not expressly mentioned, and quite as remarkable that James should have made his argument turn on a thing which is not expressly mentioned, but which seems to have been a matter of inference. It seems probable to me, therefore, that there was some tradition on which he relied, or that it was a common interpretation of the passage in 1 Kings, that Elijah prayed earnestly, and that this was generally believed by those to whom the apostle wrote. Of the fact that Elijah was a man of prayer, no one could doubt; and in these circumstances the tradition and common belief were sufficient to justify the argument which is employed here.

And the heaven gave rain - The clouds gave rain. "The heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain," 1 Kings 18:45.

And the earth brought forth her fruit - The famine ceased, and the land again became productive. The case referred to here was indeed a miracle, but it was a case of the power of prayer, and therefore to the point. If God would work a miracle in answer to prayer, it is reasonable to presume that he will bestow upon us the blessings which we need in the same way.

Wesley's James 5:18 Bible Commentary

5:18 He prayed again - When idolatry was abolished.