Let him know. So א , A, K, L, Latt., Syriac, B has γινώσκετε , "know ye." After ψυχὴν , א , A, and Vulgate add αὐτοῦ . B has it after θανάτου . And shall cover a multitude of sins ( καλύψει πλῆθος ἁμαρτιῶν ). The same expression occurs in 1 Peter 4:8 , "Charity covereth a multitude of sins. " It is founded on Proverbs 10:12 , מיעִשָׁףְ־לךָּ לעַוְ הבָהֲאַ הסֶּכַתְּ , "Love covereth all sins ," where the LXX . goes entirely... read more
Let him know - Let him who converts the other know for his encouragement.That he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way - Any sinner; anyone who has done wrong. This is a general principle, applicable to this case and to all others of the same kind. It is a universal truth that he who turns a sinner from a wicked path does a work which is acceptable to God, and which will in some way receive tokens of his approbation. Compare Deuteronomy 12:3. No work which man can perform is... read more
James 5:19-20. Brethren As if he had said, I have now warned you of those things to which you are most liable. And in all these respects watch, not only over yourselves, but every one over his brother also. Labour, in particular, to recover those that are fallen. For if any of you do err from the truth From the right way in which he ought to walk, if he be seduced by any means from the doctrine and practice of the gospel; and one Any one; convert him Be a means of bringing him back... read more
5:7-20 THE NEED FOR PATIENCE AND PRAYERMany Christians were poor and oppressed, some of them no doubt farmers who suffered because of the rich landowners. James encourages them to wait patiently for the Lord’s return (which will bring them victory in the end), just as the farmer waits patiently for the rain that will bring his crops to final harvest (7-8). God is using these trials to teach them patience, so they must not fight against his purposes by grumbling. Some Old Testament examples show... read more
know . App-132 . the = a. from . Greek. ek App-104 . soul . App-110 . hide = cover. Compare 1 Peter 4:8 . This refers to Proverbs 10:12 . read more
James 5:20. From the error of his way— This seems to be in its primary sense the same which is called the committing of sin, Jam 5:15 for the person erring is here called a sinner; but the expression undoubtedly includes the conversion of any unawakened person to the life of God. A man may err from the truth, by apostacy from the Christian religion, or by a wicked life, and embracing such corrupt doctrines as willadminister to and support his vices, or by an alienation in any way from the life... read more
20. Let him—the converted. know—for his comfort, and the encouragement of others to do likewise. shall save—future. The salvation of the one so converted shall be manifested hereafter. shall hide a multitude of sins—not his own, but the sins of the converted. The Greek verb in the middle voice requires this. :- refers to charity "covering" the sins of others before men; James to one's effecting by the conversion of another that that other's sins be covered before God, namely, with Christ's... read more
VII. THE WAY BACK TO LIVING BY FAITH 5:19-20James concluded this major section and his entire epistle by explaining how a brother who had erred could return to fellowship with God and could resume living by faith. These instructions apply directly to what James just explained in chapter 5. However they also show the way back to any who may have stumbled in the other errors James dealt with in this book. read more
The soul saved from death is that of the backslider to whom also belongs the multitude of sins. We should probably understand the "soul" to represent the whole person here as well as elsewhere in James’ epistle (cf. James 1:21). [Note: See Bob Wilkin, "Soul Talk, Soul Food, and ’Soul Salvation,’" Grace Evangelical Society News 6:12 (December 1991)2; and idem, "’Soul Salvation,’ Part 2; Saving the Soul of a Fellow Christian; James 5:19-20," Grace Evangelical Society News 7:1 (January 1992):2.]... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - James 5:19-20
The salvation of a soul. In the former verses he had supposed a possibly sinning man, when chastened, "sending" for the elders of the Church. Now the reverse side of the picture is presented, and we are taught that, not merely when transgressors send for us are we to visit them for their salvation, but unsolicited we are to seek them out, if by any means we may save. Of course the exact case here considered is that of one who has wandered, but the general principle enunciated is true in... read more