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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>James 5:20 consider this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover over a multitude of sins.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/james/5-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/59_Jas_05_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="James 5:20 - Restoring a Sinner" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="consider this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover over a multitude of sins." /><script 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class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/james/5-20.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/james/">James</a> > <a href="/james/5.htm">Chapter 5</a> > Verse 20</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad20.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/james/5-19.htm" title="James 5:19">◄</a> James 5:20 <a href="/1_peter/1-1.htm" title="1 Peter 1:1">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/james/5.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/james/5.htm">New International Version</a> remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins. <a href="/nlt/james/5.htm">New Living Translation</a> 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. <a href="/esv/james/5.htm">English Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/bsb/james/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> consider this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover over a multitude of sins. <a href="/blb/james/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> let him know that the one having brought back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death, and will cover over a multitude of sins. <a href="/kjv/james/5.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/james/5.htm">New King James Version</a> 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. <a href="/nasb_/james/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> let him know that the one who has turned a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. <a href="/nasb/james/5.htm">NASB 1995</a> let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. <a href="/nasb77/james/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a> let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins. <a href="/lsb/james/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will COVER A MULTITUDE OF SINS. <a href="/amp/james/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a> let the [latter] one know that the one who has turned a sinner from the error of his way will save that one’s soul from death and cover a multitude of sins [that is, obtain the pardon of the many sins committed by the one who has been restored]. <a href="/csb/james/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> let that person know that whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. <a href="/hcsb/james/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> let him know that whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his life from death and cover a multitude of sins. <a href="/asv/james/5.htm">American Standard Version</a> let him know, that he who converteth a sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins. <a href="/cev/james/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> If you turn sinners from the wrong way, you will save them from death, and many of their sins will be forgiven. <a href="/erv/james/5.htm">English Revised Version</a> let him know, that he which converteth a sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins. <a href="/gwt/james/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Realize that whoever brings a sinner back from the error of his ways will save him from death, and many sins will be forgiven. <a href="/gnt/james/5.htm">Good News Translation</a> remember this: whoever turns a sinner back from the wrong way will save that sinner's soul from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins. <a href="/isv/james/5.htm">International Standard Version</a> you may be sure that whoever brings a sinner back from his wrong path will save his soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. <a href="/msb/james/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> consider this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save (his) soul from death and cover over a multitude of sins. <a href="/net/james/5.htm">NET Bible</a> he should know that the one who turns a sinner back from his wandering path will save that person's soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. <a href="/nheb/james/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins. <a href="/wbt/james/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Let him know, that he who converteth a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death, and will hide a multitude of sins. <a href="/wey/james/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> let him know that he who brings a sinner back from his evil ways will save the man's soul from death and throw a veil over a multitude of sins. <a href="/web/james/5.htm">World English Bible</a> let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/james/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> let him know that he who turned back a sinner from the straying of his way will save a soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins. <a href="/blb/james/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> let him know that the one having brought back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death, and will cover over a multitude of sins. <a href="/ylt/james/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> let him know that he who did turn back a sinner from the straying of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins. <a href="/slt/james/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Let him know, that he having turned the sinful from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/james/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> He must know that he who causeth a sinner to be converted from the error of his way, shall save his soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins. <a href="/cpdv/james/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> he ought to know that whoever causes a sinner to be converted from the error of his ways will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. <a href="/nabre/james/5.htm">New American Bible</a> he should know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. <a href="/nrsvce/james/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> you should know that whoever brings back a sinner from wandering will save the sinner’s soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/james/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Let him know that he who converts a sinner from the error of his way, shall save his soul from death, and shall wipe out a multitude of sins. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/james/5.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> Let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way gives life to his soul from death and blots out the multitude of his sins.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/james/5.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> let him know that he who turns back a sinner from the error of his way, will save a soul from death, and cover a multitude of sins. <a href="/godbey/james/5.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> let him know, that the one having turned a sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and hide a multitude of sins. <a href="/haweis/james/5.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> let him know, that he that converteth a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins.<CM> <a href="/mace/james/5.htm">Mace New Testament</a> that the retrieving of a sinner from his erroneous habits, is saving a soul from ruin, and cancels a multitude of sins. <a href="/wey/james/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> let him know that he who brings a sinner back from his evil ways will save the man's soul from death and throw a veil over a multitude of sins. <a href="/worrell/james/5.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> let him know that he who converted a sinner from the error of his way, will save a soul from death, and cover a multitude of sins. <a href="/worsley/james/5.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> let him know that he, who turneth back a sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins. <a href="/parallel/james/5-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0xUBCzqsAGw?start=991" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/james/5.htm">Restoring a Sinner</a> 19My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, 20<a href="/greek/1097.htm" title="1097: ginōsketō (V-PMA-3S) -- A prolonged form of a primary verb; to know in a great variety of applications and with many implications.">consider</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">this:</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">Whoever</a> <a href="/greek/1994.htm" title="1994: epistrepsas (V-APA-NMS) -- From epi and strepho; to revert.">turns</a> <a href="/greek/268.htm" title="268: hamartōlon (Adj-AMS) -- Sinning, sinful, depraved, detestable. From hamartano; sinful, i.e. A sinner.">a sinner</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ek (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">from</a> <a href="/greek/4106.htm" title="4106: planēs (N-GFS) -- Feminine of planos; objectively, fraudulence; subjectively, a straying from orthodoxy or piety.">the error</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">of his</a> <a href="/greek/3598.htm" title="3598: hodou (N-GFS) -- A way, road, journey, path. Apparently a primary word; a road; by implication, a progress; figuratively, a mode or means.">way</a> <a href="/greek/4982.htm" title="4982: sōsei (V-FIA-3S) -- To save, heal, preserve, rescue. From a primary sos; to save, i.e. Deliver or protect.">will save</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">his</a> <a href="/greek/5590.htm" title="5590: psychēn (N-AFS) -- From psucho; breath, i.e. spirit, abstractly or concretely.">soul</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ek (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">from</a> <a href="/greek/2288.htm" title="2288: thanatou (N-GMS) -- Death, physical or spiritual. From thnesko; death.">death</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/2572.htm" title="2572: kalypsei (V-FIA-3S) -- To veil, hide, conceal, envelop. Akin to klepto and krupto; to cover up.">cover over</a> <a href="/greek/4128.htm" title="4128: plēthos (N-ANS) -- A multitude, crowd, great number, assemblage. From pletho; a fulness, i.e. A large number, throng, populace.">a multitude</a> <a href="/greek/266.htm" title="266: hamartiōn (N-GFP) -- From hamartano; a sin.">of sins.</a> <div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/luke/15-7.htm">Luke 15:7</a> I tell you that in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need to repent. <a href="/luke/15-10.htm">Luke 15:10</a> In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.” <a href="/1_peter/4-8.htm">1 Peter 4:8</a> Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. <a href="/proverbs/10-12.htm">Proverbs 10:12</a> Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers all transgressions. <a href="/1_john/5-16.htm">1 John 5:16</a> If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he should ask God, who will give life to those who commit this kind of sin. There is a sin that leads to death; I am not saying he should ask regarding that sin. <a href="/galatians/6-1.htm">Galatians 6:1</a> Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. <a href="/matthew/18-15.htm">Matthew 18:15</a> If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. <a href="/1_corinthians/9-22.htm">1 Corinthians 9:22</a> To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. <a href="/jude/1-23.htm">Jude 1:23</a> save others by snatching them from the fire; and to still others show mercy tempered with fear, hating even the clothing stained by the flesh. <a href="/ezekiel/33-11.htm">Ezekiel 33:11</a> Say to them: ‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked should turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’ <a href="/proverbs/11-30.htm">Proverbs 11:30</a> The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise. <a href="/daniel/12-3.htm">Daniel 12:3</a> Then the wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever. <a href="/matthew/18-12.htm">Matthew 18:12-14</a> What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? / And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices more over that one sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. / In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish. <a href="/romans/11-14.htm">Romans 11:14</a> in the hope that I may provoke my own people to jealousy and save some of them. <a href="/2_corinthians/5-18.htm">2 Corinthians 5:18-20</a> All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: / that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s trespasses against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. / Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Let him know, that he which converts the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.that he.<a href="/james/5-19.htm">James 5:19</a> Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;shall save.<a href="/proverbs/11-30.htm">Proverbs 11:30</a> The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.<a href="/romans/11-14.htm">Romans 11:14</a> If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.<a href="/1_corinthians/9-22.htm">1 Corinthians 9:22</a> To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.from death.<a href="/james/1-15.htm">James 1:15</a> Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.<a href="/proverbs/10-2.htm">Proverbs 10:2</a> Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.<a href="/proverbs/11-4.htm">Proverbs 11:4</a> Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.hide.<a href="/psalms/32-1.htm">Psalm 32:1</a> A Psalm of David, Maschil. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.<a href="/proverbs/10-12.htm">Proverbs 10:12</a> Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.<a href="/1_peter/4-8.htm">1 Peter 4:8</a> And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/james/4-7.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-5.htm">Cover</a> <a href="/james/5-6.htm">Death</a> <a href="/james/5-19.htm">Error</a> <a href="/james/5-13.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/james/5-15.htm">Forgiveness</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/3-13.htm">Hide</a> <a href="/james/2-10.htm">Keeps</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-12.htm">Multitude</a> <a href="/james/5-15.htm">Save</a> <a href="/james/2-25.htm">Sinner</a> <a href="/james/5-16.htm">Sins</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-39.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/1_timothy/1-6.htm">Straying</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-35.htm">Throw</a> <a href="/james/5-19.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/james/4-9.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/james/5-19.htm">Turns</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-20.htm">Veil</a> <a href="/james/5-19.htm">Way</a> <a href="/james/1-11.htm">Ways</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_peter/1-6.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-16.htm">Cover</a> <a href="/1_peter/3-18.htm">Death</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-15.htm">Error</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-14.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/1_peter/4-8.htm">Forgiveness</a> <a href="/revelation/3-18.htm">Hide</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-25.htm">Keeps</a> <a href="/1_peter/4-8.htm">Multitude</a> <a href="/1_peter/3-21.htm">Save</a> <a href="/1_peter/4-18.htm">Sinner</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-24.htm">Sins</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-2.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-25.htm">Straying</a> <a href="/1_peter/5-7.htm">Throw</a> <a href="/1_peter/3-11.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-25.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-22.htm">Turns</a> <a href="/1_peter/4-8.htm">Veil</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-18.htm">Way</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-6.htm">Ways</a><div class="vheading2">James 5</div>1. <a href="/james/5-1.htm">Rich oppressors are to fear God's vengeance.</a> 7. <a href="/james/5-7.htm">We ought to be patient in afflictions, after the example of the prophets, and Job;</a> 12. <a href="/james/5-12.htm">to forbear swearing;</a> 13. <a href="/james/5-13.htm">to pray in adversity, to sing in prosperity;</a> 14. <a href="/james/5-14.htm">to acknowledge mutually our several faults, to pray one for another;</a> 19. <a href="/james/5-19.htm">and to correct a straying brother.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/james/5.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/james/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/james/5.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>consider this: This phrase serves as an invitation to reflect deeply on the importance of the subsequent message. It emphasizes the weight and significance of the action being described. In biblical literature, such calls to attention are often used to highlight moral or spiritual truths that require careful consideration and action.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 (<a href="/ezekiel/18-30.htm">Ezekiel 18:30-32</a>) and the call to repentance by John the Baptist (<a href="/matthew/3-2.htm">Matthew 3:2</a>). 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 (<a href="/romans/6-23.htm">Romans 6:23</a>), 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 (<a href="/luke/19-10.htm">Luke 19:10</a>).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 (<a href="/leviticus/17-11.htm">Leviticus 17:11</a>). In the New Testament, this is fulfilled in the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose blood covers and cleanses from all sin (1 <a href="/john/1-7.htm">John 1:7</a>). The "multitude of sins" indicates the vastness of God's grace and forgiveness, as also reflected in <a href="/proverbs/10-12.htm">Proverbs 10:12</a>, which states that love covers all wrongs. This phrase encourages believers to act in love and grace, participating in the ministry of reconciliation (<a href="/2_corinthians/5-18.htm">2 Corinthians 5:18-19</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/james.htm">James</a> The author of the epistle, traditionally identified as James, the brother of Jesus and a leader in the early Jerusalem church. He writes with authority and pastoral concern for the believers. 2. <a href="/topical/s/sinner.htm">Sinner</a> Refers to any individual who has strayed from the truth of the Gospel and is living in sin. The term "sinner" in the Greek (hamart?los) emphasizes one who is missing the mark of God's standard. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_church.htm">The Church</a> The community of believers to whom James is writing. The church is called to be a place of restoration and healing for those who have wandered from the truth. 4. <a href="/topical/s/salvation.htm">Salvation</a> The act of saving a soul from death, which in this context refers to spiritual death or separation from God. The Greek word for "save" (s?z?) implies rescue and deliverance. 5. <a href="/topical/c/covering_of_sins.htm">Covering of Sins</a> This phrase suggests the forgiveness and atonement of sins, reminiscent of the Old Testament sacrificial system where sins were covered by the blood of a sacrifice.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_restoration.htm">The Call to Restoration</a> Believers are called to actively participate in the restoration of those who have wandered from the truth. This involves love, patience, and a gentle spirit. <a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_repentance.htm">The Power of Repentance</a> Turning a sinner from their error is a powerful act that leads to salvation and forgiveness. It underscores the transformative power of repentance. <a href="/topical/c/community_responsibility.htm">Community Responsibility</a> The church community has a responsibility to care for its members, seeking to guide them back to the truth when they stray. <a href="/topical/l/love_as_a_covering.htm">Love as a Covering</a> Love plays a crucial role in the process of restoration and forgiveness. It is through love that sins are covered and relationships are healed. <a href="/topical/e/eternal_perspective.htm">Eternal Perspective</a> The ultimate goal of turning a sinner from their error is the salvation of their soul, which has eternal significance.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_james_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from James 5</a> <a href="/q/meaning_of_'love_covers_sins'.htm">What does "love covers a multitude of sins" mean?</a> <a href="/q/how_do_believers_'save_a_soul'_in_james_5_19-20.htm">In James 5:19–20, how can believers be sure they “save a soul from death” by bringing someone back to the truth, given that physical death still occurs regardless of faith?</a> <a href="/q/does_1_peter_4_8_conflict_with_salvation_texts.htm">Does (1 Peter 4:8) saying “love covers a multitude of sins” conflict with other texts that emphasize salvation only through Christ’s atonement? </a> <a href="/q/what_is_eternal_death.htm">What defines the concept of eternal death?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/james/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(20) Let him know.--Or, as it rather seems to be, Know ye; be absolutely sure of this, in a knowledge better than all the Gnostic and Agnostic learning of the day. He which turneth a sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death--the means thereto being given him by the Saviour of all--and shall hide a multitude of sins; not, of course, his own, but those of the penitent, brought back by this good servant into the fold. So is it possible to be a fellow-worker with Christ (<a href="/2_corinthians/6-1.htm" title="We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that you receive not the grace of God in vain.">2Corinthians 6:1</a>), and a sharer in His work of salvation, as, in another sense, we too vicariously suffer for the sins and faults of others. (Comp. <a href="/colossians/1-24.htm" title=" Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:">Colossians 1:24</a>, and Butler's Analogy, part 2, chap. 5)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.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/james/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 20. - 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 <a href="/1_peter/4-8.htm">1 Peter 4:8</a>, "Charity covereth a multitude of sins." It is founded on <a href="/proverbs/10-12.htm">Proverbs 10:12</a>, תְּכַסֶּה אַהֲבָה וְעַל כָּל־פְשָׁעִים, "Love covereth all sins," where the LXX. goes entirely astray: Πάντας δὲ τοὺς μὴ φιλονεικοῦντας καλύπτει φιλία: but cf. <a href="/psalms/31-1.htm">Psalm 31:1</a>; <a href="/psalms/84-3.htm">Psalm 84:3</a>, in the LXX. It is difficult to believe that St. Peter and St. James independently hit upon the rendering πλῆθος ἁμαρτιῶν for the Hebrew כָּל־פְּשָׂעִים, as there was nothing to suggest it, the LXX. never rendering כֹּל by πλῆθος. Probably the one was consciously or unconsciously influenced by the other. The striking position which the words occupy here, as those with which the Epistle closes, would make them linger in the memory; and there is nothing to militate against the conclusion, which appeared probable on the occasion of previous coincidences between the two writers, that St. James is the earlier of the two (comp. on James 4:6). The expression used by the apostle leaves it undetermined whose sins are thus "covered," whether (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. . . . <a href="/commentaries/james/5-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>consider γινωσκέτω (ginōsketō) Verb - Present Imperative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1097.htm">Strong's 1097: </a> A prolonged form of a primary verb; to 'know' in a great variety of applications and with many implications. this: ὅτι (hoti) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. Whoever ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. turns ἐπιστρέψας (epistrepsas) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1994.htm">Strong's 1994: </a> From epi and strepho; to revert. a sinner ἁμαρτωλὸν (hamartōlon) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_268.htm">Strong's 268: </a> Sinning, sinful, depraved, detestable. From hamartano; sinful, i.e. A sinner. from ἐκ (ek) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. [the] error πλάνης (planēs) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4106.htm">Strong's 4106: </a> Feminine of planos; objectively, fraudulence; subjectively, a straying from orthodoxy or piety. of his αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. way ὁδοῦ (hodou) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3598.htm">Strong's 3598: </a> A way, road, journey, path. Apparently a primary word; a road; by implication, a progress; figuratively, a mode or means. will save σώσει (sōsei) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4982.htm">Strong's 4982: </a> To save, heal, preserve, rescue. From a primary sos; to save, i.e. Deliver or protect. his αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. soul ψυχὴν (psychēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5590.htm">Strong's 5590: </a> From psucho; breath, i.e. spirit, abstractly or concretely. from ἐκ (ek) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. death θανάτου (thanatou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2288.htm">Strong's 2288: </a> Death, physical or spiritual. From thnesko; death. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. cover over καλύψει (kalypsei) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2572.htm">Strong's 2572: </a> To veil, hide, conceal, envelop. Akin to klepto and krupto; to cover up. a multitude πλῆθος (plēthos) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4128.htm">Strong's 4128: </a> A multitude, crowd, great number, assemblage. From pletho; a fulness, i.e. A large number, throng, populace. of sins. ἁμαρτιῶν (hamartiōn) Noun - Genitive Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_266.htm">Strong's 266: </a> From hamartano; a sin. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/james/5-20.htm">James 5:20 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/james/5-20.htm">James 5:20 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/james/5-20.htm">James 5:20 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/james/5-20.htm">James 5:20 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/james/5-20.htm">James 5:20 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/james/5-20.htm">James 5:20 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/james/5-20.htm">James 5:20 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/james/5-20.htm">James 5:20 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/james/5-20.htm">James 5:20 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/james/5-20.htm">James 5:20 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/james/5-20.htm">NT Letters: James 5:20 Let him know that he who turns (Ja Jas. Jam) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/james/5-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="James 5:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="James 5:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_peter/1-1.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Peter 1:1"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Peter 1:1" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>