James 5 19

James 5:19 kjv

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

James 5:19 nkjv

Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back,

James 5:19 niv

My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back,

James 5:19 esv

My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back,

James 5:19 nlt

My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back,

James 5 verses

James 5 19 Meaning

James 5:19 conveys a solemn exhortation and a profound spiritual responsibility within the Christian community: if a fellow believer strays from the revealed truth of the Christian faith, it is the duty of any other believer to actively intervene and lead that erring brother or sister back to the right path. This intervention is not judgmental condemnation but a restorative act driven by love and concern for their spiritual well-being, aiming to prevent deeper spiritual decline.

James 5 19 Context

James 5:19 stands as the penultimate verse of the epistle, following an intense discussion about the power of prayer, particularly for the sick and sinning. The preceding verses (James 5:13-18) highlight confession of sins and the effective fervent prayer of a righteous person (like Elijah) in addressing illness and sin. While those verses focus on personal and community prayer in times of sickness and moral failing, verse 19 shifts the focus slightly. It moves from waiting for an afflicted brother to call for the elders, or confess sins, to a proactive role of any believer. It addresses the broader issue of spiritual wandering or deviation from the "truth" beyond specific sins that require healing or confession. The chapter concludes with this profound ethical and evangelistic charge, setting the stage for the direct result mentioned in James 5:20 – the saving of a soul from death. It reflects James' consistent theme of practical, active faith lived out in community.

James 5 19 Word analysis

• My brethren (ἀδελφοί μου, adelphoi mou): A characteristic and affectionate address used frequently by James. It emphasizes the communal nature of the Christian faith and the bond that necessitates mutual care and responsibility among believers. This is not a detached observation but an intimate appeal within the family of God.
• if any of you (ἐάν τις ἐξ ὑμῶν, ean tis ex hymōn): Signifies that this is a real possibility within the Christian community. It places the burden of observation and action on "any" individual within the group, implying shared vigilance and no specific hierarchy for this task. It indicates an individual, not necessarily a group, taking the initiative.
• do err (πλανηθῇ, planēthē): This is the aorist passive subjunctive of planáo (πλανάω), meaning "to wander," "to be led astray," "to stray from the right way." It suggests a deviation, a departure from an established path. It implies a condition of spiritual straying or being deceived, which might encompass doctrinal error, moral transgression, or a fundamental misunderstanding of Christian principles, rather than just a moment of weakness or isolated sin.
• from the truth (ἀπὸ τῆς ἀληθείας, apo tēs alētheias): "Truth" (alētheia, ἀλήθεια) here refers to the revealed truth of the gospel, the body of Christian doctrine, and the righteous conduct that flows from it. It's the standard by which all Christian life is to be measured. Erring from this implies a departure from orthodoxy (right belief) or orthopraxy (right living) as understood within the early Christian community.
• and one convert him (καὶ ἐπιστρέψῃ τις αὐτόν, kai epistrepsē tis auton):
  • convert (ἐπιστρέψῃ, epistrepsē): This is the aorist active subjunctive of epistréphō (ἐπιστρέφω), meaning "to turn back," "to return," or "to cause someone to turn back," "to restore." It signifies a deliberate and effective action of turning someone away from their erroneous path and guiding them back to truth. This verb is often used in the LXX and New Testament for spiritual turning or repentance towards God.
  • one (τις, tis): Reiterates that this responsibility is incumbent upon any believer, not just appointed leaders or pastors. It underscores the active, personal duty of every Christian to watch out for their brethren.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "if any of you do err from the truth": This phrase describes the spiritual state of deviation. It points to a situation where a believer has departed, consciously or unconsciously, from the sound doctrine or moral standard revealed in Christ. It suggests a more systemic straying rather than an incidental fall, requiring deliberate redirection.
• "and one convert him": This emphasizes the proactive and compassionate responsibility of a fellow believer. The action of "converting" or "restoring" is central, highlighting the community's role in spiritual care and preservation. It implies gentle but firm guidance, patiently drawing the individual back into alignment with the truth.

James 5 19 Bonus section

The profound significance of intervening and restoring a brother is elaborated upon in James 5:20, which immediately follows this verse. James states, "Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins." This explains the why behind the command in verse 19. The "death" mentioned here is not necessarily physical death, but spiritual death, an ultimate separation from God that could be the culmination of persistent straying from the truth. The act of "hiding a multitude of sins" refers to God's forgiveness and blotting out of sins that result from true repentance facilitated by the intervention of a brother. Thus, James 5:19-20 forms a complete thought, powerfully encouraging active engagement in spiritual rescue, recognizing its eternal consequences. It implies that true Christian love extends beyond passive well-wishing to active, restorative engagement with those who wander.

James 5 19 Commentary

James 5:19 serves as a crucial concluding exhortation, reflecting James's strong emphasis on practical, communal faith. It reminds believers that faith is not a solitary journey but one undertaken within a supportive body. The primary aim is restoration, not condemnation. When a fellow Christian deviates from "the truth"—whether through doctrinal error or moral failure—it is the loving duty of another believer to intervene. This act of intervention, "converting" or bringing them back, underscores the interconnectedness of the spiritual well-being of each member to the health of the entire community. This verse highlights Christian accountability and the selfless love that prioritizes another's soul. It's an active display of spiritual compassion, emphasizing that a robust faith leads to outward action for the good of others, preventing spiritual loss and demonstrating the authentic fruit of belief. This spirit of vigilant love should permeate Christian fellowship, making it a sanctuary for spiritual restoration.