Bible Strands
James 5:19
My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back,
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — James addresses his brothers (Jewish Christians) in a practical exhortation that follows the Elijah prayer examples (vv. 17–18) and precedes the reward statement (v. 20).
The words — πλανηθῇ (planēthēi), aorist passive subjunctive of πλανάω, literally "if he should be led astray"; the passive marks the wandering as something done to the person, not merely a self-chosen departure.
The thread — Galatians 6:1 commands restoration "with a spirit of gentleness" for one caught in trespass; Matthew 18:15 directs private confrontation to "win your brother over."
Why it lands — The conditional "if" makes this a standing expectation, not a hypothetical: the reader is positioned as the one who must act when a brother strays.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
Cross-references
- Galatians 6:1 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.
- Matthew 18:15 If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.
- 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.
- Jude 1:22 And indeed, have mercy on those who doubt;
- Luke 22:32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
- Ezekiel 34:16 I will seek the lost, bring back the strays, bind up the broken, and strengthen the weak; but the sleek and strong I will destroy. I will shepherd them with justice.’
- 2 Peter 3:17 Therefore, beloved, since you already know these things, be on your guard so that you will not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure standing.
- Ezekiel 34:4 You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bound up the injured, brought back the strays, or searched for the lost. Instead, you have ruled them with violence and cruelty.
- 1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
- Isaiah 3:12 Youths oppress My people, and women rule over them. O My people, your guides mislead you; they turn you from your paths.