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James 5:19
Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;

shall save.

Proverbs 11:30
The fruit of the righteousis a tree of life; and he that winneth soulsis wise.

Romans 11:14
If by any means I may provoke to emulationthem which are my flesh, and might save some of them.

1 Corinthians 9:22
To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to allmen, that I might by all means save some.

from death.

James 1:15
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Proverbs 10:2
Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.

Proverbs 11:4
Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.

hide.

Psalm 32:1
A Psalm of David, Maschil. Blessedis he whose transgressionis forgiven,whose sinis covered.

Proverbs 10:12
Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

1 Peter 4:8
And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way
This phrase underscores the responsibility and privilege of believers to guide others back to the truth. The concept of "turning" is akin to repentance, a central theme in both the Old and New Testaments. The "error of his way" refers to a path leading away from God's commandments, reminiscent of the warnings given by prophets like Ezekiel (Ezekiel 18:30-32) and the call to repentance by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:2). The communal aspect of faith is highlighted here, where believers are encouraged to support one another in spiritual growth and correction.

will save his soul from death
The "soul" in this context refers to the whole being of a person, not just the immaterial part. "Death" here is often interpreted as spiritual death, which is separation from God, rather than physical death. This aligns with the biblical teaching that sin leads to death (Romans 6:23), but repentance and turning back to God lead to life. The act of saving a soul from death is seen as participating in God's redemptive work, echoing the mission of Christ who came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10).

and cover over a multitude of sins.
This phrase suggests the idea of forgiveness and atonement. The imagery of "covering" sins is rooted in the sacrificial system of the Old Testament, where the blood of sacrifices symbolically covered the sins of the people (Leviticus 17:11). In the New Testament, this is fulfilled in the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose blood covers and cleanses from all sin (1John 1:7). The "multitude of sins" indicates the vastness of God's grace and forgiveness, as also reflected inProverbs 10:12, which states that love covers all wrongs. This phrase encourages believers to act in love and grace, participating in the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-19).

“Whoever” opens the door wide. James is speaking to any believer willing to get involved when a brother or sister wanders. •Galatians 6:1 reminds us, “Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness.” •1 Thessalonians 5:14 urges, “Admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak.” The privilege and responsibility do not belong only to pastors or elders; they belong to every follower of Christ.

The phrase highlights deliberate, loving intervention. To “turn” pictures a change of direction—helping someone face back toward the Lord. • Jude 22-23 calls us to “have mercy on those who waver; save others by snatching them from the fire.” • InLuke 15:4-7, the shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to rescue one lost sheep, showing the value of each wandering soul. Turning requires prayerful courage, patience, and truth spoken in love (Ephesians 4:15).

“Error” describes a path that deviates from God’s revealed will. •Proverbs 14:12 warns, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” •Isaiah 55:7 counsels the wicked to “abandon his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts.” Bringing a wandering believer back means pointing to God’s standards, not personal preferences, and calling for genuine repentance (Acts 3:19).

James does not mince words: unrepentant sin leads to serious danger, even physical death (1 Corinthians 11:30) and, if one proves never to have believed, eternal death (Romans 6:23). •Ezekiel 33:11 shows God’s heart: “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live.” •1 John 5:16 speaks of prayer that can lead to life for a brother committing a sin “not leading to death.” By God’s grace, our intervention can be His means to spare a life now and forever.

When restoration happens, many sins are effectively “covered”—forgiven and no longer counted. •1 Peter 4:8 affirms, “Love covers over a multitude of sins,” echoingProverbs 10:12. •Psalm 32:1 declares, “Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.” The covering is not a hush-up but a cleansing through Christ’s blood (1 John 1:7). Restoring one wanderer prevents further sin in that person’s life and shields others from the ripple effects of continued rebellion.

James 5:20 is a call to every believer: pursue the wanderer. Loving confrontation, rooted in truth, can redirect a brother or sister, rescue a life from deadly consequences, and bring the refreshing flood of God’s forgiveness.

What St. James was in word that also was he in deed; for he "prayed fervently" for the pardon and conversion of those who killed him. "Hold," said some of the by-standers. when the martyr sank upon the stones, "the Just is praying for you!" Stephen's prayer won Saul for the infant Church: it can hardly be that James's last breathings of pity were unanswered of God.

(1) those of the man who is "converted from the error of his way," or

(2) those of the man who wins him back, and through this good action obtains, by the grace of God, pardon for his own "multitude of sins." It has been well noticed that "there is a studied generality in the form of the teaching which seems to emphasize the wide blessedness of love. In the very act of seeking to convert one for whom we care we must turn to God ourselves, and in covering the past sins of another our own also are covered. In such an act love reaches its highest point, and that love includes the faith in God which is the condition of forgiveness" (Plumptre). The Epistle ends abruptly, with no salutation and no doxology. In this it stands almost by itself in the New Testament; the First Epistle of St. John alone approaching it in the abruptness of its conclusion.

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