James 5:20

20. Let him know Or, by a reading preferred by Alford, know ye. What now follows is stated as a universal truth, implying that this individual case would be included under it.

The sinner Rather, a sinner, whoever and wherever he may be.

Error of his way Error, or wandering, is the characteristic quality of the way he is pursuing.

Shall save The future far reaching beyond the present.

Death The eternal consequent, commenced here and perpetuated hereafter, of unpardoned sin.

Hide Cover from sight. So Psalms 32:1-2, “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” And Psalms 85:2, “Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people; thou hast covered all their sin.” The sins which he shall cover are, of course, the sins of the sinner. The idea of some commentators, that the converter will thereby cover his own sins, is unevangelical. The converter’s sins must be covered by his own penitence and faith, not by bringing somebody else to these conditions. Our apostle incites us to the work of converting the sinner by the greatness and glory in the result itself. Not only a soul is saved from death, but a mass of sins is forgiven, and no longer offends the eye of a holy God, or the hearts of holy men. Doubtless the blessed work performed in true faith has, also, its own exceeding great reward to the worker. But that reward is not the forgiveness of the converter’s sins, but consists in his own increased blessedness and his richer final glory. Truly, he that winneth souls is wise; wise for the saved soul, wise for the approbation of heaven and earth, wise for his own soul.