Bible Discussion Thread

Thoughts on James 5:19-20

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

20 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.

NASB on verse 19 instead of "err", it says "strays" from the truth.

NIV says "wander" from the truth.

James is written to Christ followers- the twelve tribes and calls them brothers and sisters and the writing seems to suggest they have faith, like 1:3. And suggests they have assemblies (church) like 2:1.

First thing I notice is it acknowledges that a Christ follower can fall away, stray, wander, err from the truth. This might mean the Christian temporarily is not following Christ, maybe takes a detour, gets a flat tire, gets confused and goes the wrong way for a short time like I do when driving. Some Christians believe it is impossible to stay or fall away, so this verse might be a surprise to them.

Next, it suggests that the one who stayed is endanger of hell (save a soul from death), so this err from the truth is quite serious.

But it suggests that someone who helps correct the person shall hide/cover a multitude of sins. This is the part I find most interesting. What do you think it means? Could those like Billy Graham who spent their lifetime preaching and trying to convert the lost have more forgiveness or more 'more' grace?

Hi Adam. As I go through James 5:19,20, I'll share my understanding:

"Brethren (i.e. those in the faith from the Jewish diaspora), if any of you err from the truth ('planethe', to go astray or wander), and one convert him ('epistrepse', to turn him back); Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way (returns or guides him onto the path of holiness of life) shall save a soul from death (from God's Judgement by virtue of physical death, cf 1 Corinthians 11:27-32, noting that God's Judgement is done in Love, to the end "that we (the Christian in sin) should not be condemned with the world, as those who are consigned to Hell)...and shall hide ('kalypsei', to hide/conceal) a multitude of sins (by restoring a wayward believer by his repentance & restoration, that his sins repented of, will no more be judged by God).

Indeed, "a Christ follower can fall away, stray, wander, err from the truth" as you wrote, but if he is "in Christ" as "Christ in him", he will always, repeat always, be gently ministered to by the Holy Spirit & led back to the path of true & abundant living. Not one of Christ's sheep will ever be lost, even though they stray afar. But if they remain obstinate & continue to dabble in sin, as in the case of incest at Corinth, the apostle using his authority, delivered that soul to Satan's domain "for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus".

I hope that brings out my understanding clearly, though I could not understand your last question, re: Billy Graham gaining more forgiveness/more grace.

Luke 22:32 seems to be a reference related to this one; one version states "when you are converted" before mentioning strengthening the brethren. In that case; Christ would be the one who is foreseeing Peter's betrayal; but knows ultimately as one of God's children; that he will be restored and in fact a pillar in the development of the church. So it would appear that conversion doesn't always have to be a one time experience when we first come to the knowledge of salvation and in time and space are "saved." We should also examine carefully our confession by examining ourselves to see if we are in the faith. ( 2 Cor. 13:5). We could say the same for repentance as well; it is necessary for us to deliberately turn from our ways following sin; yet God Himself "grants us" the gift of repentance. (see 2 Timothy 2:25 and Acts 11 and several other passages). If we rebuke a wise man ( Proverbs 9:7) we get good results; with a mocker in the next verse; not so.

As the parable of the sower and seeds indicates; we must reach fruit production to indicate that we are truly abiding in Him; therefore we must pass the test of trials and temptations after our initial "conversion" experience; God chastises all those He loves.

Adam I agree with Tammy, thats written to mean those who had fallen away from the truth as many will fall away from the truth in the Lastdays. I would also add to this the 12 tribes to which the book of James is written to are all the descendants of, or the children of Israel. These same 12 tribes who are sealed in ( Rev. 7:4-8). This is the bloodline that was preserved through out history for Jesus Christ to come through that started with Adam, then his son Seth and so on. I believe the United States to be the tribe of Ephriam who received the double Blessing. That verse says who do err (from the truth), It doesn't say who err from our Lord and Saviour. So what is that truth they err from? If its written to the 12 tribes, if the USA is Ephriam, then the KJB being translated to the English language in 1611 would be that truth that was preserved for the 12 tribes from God Almighty to be published among all nations, ( Mk. 13:10) The USA is the greatest Christan Nation in the world which would be the only chance for this prophecy to be fulfilled, no other nation could, or would do this. ( 2 Tim. 4:3-4) They ((turn away their ears from the truth)) The USA is Ephriam the largest of the 12 tribes which also did get the double Blessing in ( Gen. 48:13-16) v14 "Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephriam's head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the firstborn". ((He crossed his arms forming a cross to give Ephriam the double Blessing)). v16 Israel says "bless the lads, and let my name be named on them". and ( Gen. 48:17-20) v20 Tells us "and he set Ephriam before Manasseh". Then the Blessing of Joseph which was passed to his sons are in ( Gen. 49:22-26) which pretty much describes the USA the greatest Nation, the greatest Christian Nation in the history of the world. Its always a good thing to dig deep into the Word of God seeking His Truth, Right? Sorry its a little off track. Blessings.

Adam, the parable of the sower shows some that accept the Word of God, then turn from it for different reasons and 2 Peter Chapter 2

20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.

22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

So, yes I believe one can lose their salvation. On the verse James 5:20 "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 is speaking of hiding a multitude of the "sinners" sins, not the person who helped him out of it. It's assumed that the person who helped him out of it is saved and hasn't fallen away, he is already covered by the blood of Jesus.

Hope that helps, God bless