Bible Strands
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — James addresses his fellow believers immediately after instructing the community on prayer, confession, and healing. He speaks to a unified group that must actively preserve one another's spiritual condition.
The words — ἐπιστρέψας (epistrepsas) means "having turned back," and πλάνης (planēs) denotes "error" or "wandering." These terms directly describe the sinner's departure and the required corrective action.
The thread — The text's claim that restoration addresses sin parallels the love that covers transgressions in Proverbs 10:12 and 1 Peter 4:8. The emphasis on preserving life through faithful practice aligns with the instruction in 1 Timothy 4:16.
Why it lands — The verse states plainly that turning a straying person back saves a soul and covers widespread sin. It requires the reader to intervene directly in another's error rather than observe passively.
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
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.
Cross-references
- 1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
- Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers all transgressions.
- 1 Timothy 4:16 Pay close attention to your life and to your teaching. Persevere in these things, for by so doing you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
- Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.
- Romans 11:14 in the hope that I may provoke my own people to jealousy and save some of them.
- James 5:19 My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back,
- 1 Corinthians 9:22 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.
- Psalms 32:1 Of David. A Maskil. Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
- Proverbs 11:4 Riches are worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness brings deliverance from death.
- James 1:15 Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.