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.

Other Translations of James 5:20

New International Version

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

English Standard Version

20 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.

The Message

20 and you will have rescued precious lives from destruction and prevented an epidemic of wandering away from God.

New King James Version

20 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.

New Living Translation

20 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.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on James 5:20

Commentary on James 5:19-20

(Read James 5:19-20)

It is no mark of a wise or holy man, to boast of being free from error, or to refuse to acknowledge an error. And there is some doctrinal mistake at the bottom of every practical mistake. There is no one habitually bad, but upon some bad principle. This is conversion; to turn a sinner from the error of his ways, not merely from one party to another, or from one notion and way of thinking to another. There is no way effectually and finally to hide sin, but forsaking it. Many sins are hindered in the party converted; many also may be so in others whom he may influence. The salvation of one soul is of infinitely greater importance than preserving the lives of multitudes, or promoting the welfare of a whole people. Let us in our several stations keep these things in mind, sparing no pains in God's service, and the event will prove that our labour is not in vain in the Lord. For six thousand years He has been multiplying pardons, and yet his free grace is not tired nor grown weary. Certainly Divine mercy is an ocean that is ever full and ever flowing. May the Lord give us a part in this abundant mercy, through the blood of Christ, and the sanctification of the Spirit.