James 5 20

James 5:20 kjv

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.

James 5:20 nkjv

let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

James 5:20 niv

remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

James 5:20 esv

let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

James 5:20 nlt

you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.

James 5 verses

James 5 20 Meaning

James 5:20 declares the profound spiritual impact of leading someone who has strayed back to the path of truth. It states with certainty that a person who facilitates the repentance and turning of a sinner from a lifestyle of error effectively saves that individual from eternal spiritual death. Furthermore, this act results in the divine covering and forgiveness of a multitude of sins that the converted person committed, implying a profound reconciliation with God and release from guilt and condemnation. It highlights the eternal significance of compassionate outreach to those who have wandered away from the Lord.

James 5 20 Context

James 5:20 concludes the practical and ethical exhortations of the entire epistle. The chapter itself emphasizes themes crucial for a faith that manifests itself in deeds: patience in suffering, endurance, avoiding grumbling, righteous living, abstaining from oaths, and especially, the power of prayer and mutual responsibility within the believing community. James calls for confession of sins and intercessory prayer among believers for the healing of the sick. The example of Elijah is used to highlight the efficacy of a righteous person's fervent prayer. Amidst these calls for spiritual attentiveness and communal care, verse 20 serves as a powerful final injunction. It stresses the utmost importance of actively reaching out to a fellow believer who has drifted into a sinful lifestyle. It underscores the profound and eternal significance of such a restorative act, elevating it to the highest spiritual service, fully aligned with James's consistent message that true faith is living and active, demonstrating concern for both personal piety and communal well-being. It is not about earning salvation, but evidencing its reality through a faith that works.

James 5 20 Word analysis

• Let him know: (Greek: ginōsketō) An imperative, conveying a solemn and certain truth. It is not a suggestion but a definitive statement meant to impress upon the reader the grave reality and significant consequence. This knowing is not mere intellectual assent but a deep understanding and recognition.
• that he which converteth: (Greek: ho epistrepsas) "He who turns back" or "causes to return." The word epistrephō fundamentally means to turn around, return, or convert. In the Septuagint and New Testament, it frequently signifies a moral or spiritual turning, a turning to God, or repentance. It implies an active role in persuasion and guidance that leads to a fundamental change of direction in life, not merely superficial correction.
• the sinner: (Greek: hamartōlon) Refers to someone who habitually misses the mark or errs from God's standards. In this context, it often denotes someone living in active transgression, possibly a professing believer who has drifted back into old sinful patterns or embraced a path contrary to faith.
• from the error: (Greek: ek planēs) Planēs refers to wandering, error, or delusion, often carrying connotations of deception or seduction that leads one astray. It’s not just an intellectual mistake but a practical straying, a wrong course of life.
• of his way: (Greek: hodou autou) "His path" or "his conduct." This signifies a chosen direction or manner of living, emphasizing the practical dimension of sin as a chosen course of life that deviates from God's truth.
• shall save: (Greek: sōsei) Future tense of sōzō, meaning to save, deliver, or preserve. Here, it indicates an eternal, spiritual rescue. The human agent participates instrumentally in this saving, but the ultimate power to save comes from God.
• a soul: (Greek: psychēn) Refers to the whole person, encompassing their inner being, life, and spirit. The salvation spoken of here is not merely physical preservation but deliverance from spiritual destruction.
• from death: (Greek: ek thanatou) Primarily signifies spiritual death, which is eternal separation from God, the ultimate consequence of unrepentant sin (Rom 6:23). It can also carry implications of escaping a destructive, temporal lifestyle.
• and shall hide: (Greek: kai kalypsei) "And will cover" or "conceal." This act of hiding or covering refers to God's forgiveness, where the guilt and shame of sin are supernaturally removed and rendered powerless. It is a divine action, not a human one; the human activity of conversion sets the stage for God's divine act of cleansing.
• a multitude of sins: (Greek: plēthos hamartiōn) "A large number of sins." This highlights the extensive nature of human sinfulness. The power of God's forgiveness through Christ is so complete that it can cover not just one sin, but countless transgressions accumulated over a lifetime. This phrase directly echoes Prov 10:12 ("love covers all sins") and 1 Pet 4:8 ("love covers a multitude of sins").

James 5 20 Bonus section

This verse reinforces James's overarching theme: faith without works is dead. Here, the "work" is actively participating in the spiritual restoration of another. It emphasizes that Christianity is not merely individualistic piety but a communal journey where believers bear responsibility for one another's spiritual well-being. The emphasis on "hiding a multitude of sins" serves as a powerful reminder of the efficacy and scope of divine forgiveness available through repentance. It encourages the converter, knowing their effort, when successful in bringing another to Christ, culminates in such a glorious outcome for the redeemed individual. It's important to note that the one doing the "converting" is not saving the soul through their own merit, but rather by acting as an instrument of divine grace and truth. The actual hiding/forgiveness of sins is an act of God upon the repenting individual.

James 5 20 Commentary

James 5:20 stands as a profound final exhortation within an epistle deeply concerned with practical righteousness. It's a powerful motivation for active Christian ministry and care. The "converting" is not about a person earning another's salvation, but rather acting as God's instrument in bringing someone to genuine repentance, where that individual then turns to Christ. The ultimate "saving" of the soul from death (spiritual death) is God's work, but it is initiated through the repentance prompted by the interceding believer. Similarly, the "hiding a multitude of sins" is a divine act of forgiveness applied to the one who has turned to God, a forgiveness that erases the extensive record of wrongdoing. This verse underlines the eternal weight and blessedness of spiritual rescue. It’s not enough to maintain personal faith; true faith expresses itself in loving pursuit of those who have stumbled. For example, a faithful believer who patiently teaches a struggling friend about grace and truth, leading them back from destructive habits, participates in this divine work. Or a small group that lovingly confronts a member whose lifestyle deviates from Scripture, offering support for their repentance, embodies this verse's spirit.