Robertson Word Pictures - James 5:20 - 5:20

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Robertson Word Pictures - James 5:20 - 5:20


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

Let him know (ginōsketō). Present active imperative third person singular of ginōskō, but Westcott and Hort read ginōskete (know ye) after B. In either case it is the conclusion of the condition in Jam 5:19.

He which converteth (ho epistrepsas). First aorist active articular participle of epistrephō of Jam 5:19.

From the error (ek planēs). “Out of the wandering” of Jam 5:19 (planē, from which planaō is made). See 1Jo 4:6 for contrast between “truth” and “error.”

A soul from death (psuchēn ek thanatou). The soul of the sinner (hamartōlon) won back to Christ, not the soul of the man winning him. A few MSS. have autou added (his soul), which leaves it ambiguous, but autou is not genuine. It is ultimate and final salvation here meant by the future (sōsei).

Shall cover a multitude of sins (kalupsei plēthos hamartiōn). Future active of kaluptō, old verb, to hide, to veil. But whose sins (those of the converter or the converted)? The Roman Catholics (also Mayor and Ropes) take it of the sins of the converter, who thus saves himself by saving others. The language here will allow that, but not New Testament teaching in general. It is apparently a proverbial saying which Resch considers one of the unwritten sayings of Christ (Clem. Al. Paed. iii. 12). It occurs also in 1Pe 4:8, where it clearly means the sins of others covered by love as a veil thrown over them. The saying appears also in Pro 10:12 : “Hatred stirs up strife, but love hides all transgressions” - that is “love refuses to see faults” (Mayor admits). That is undoubtedly the meaning in 1Pe 4:8; Jam 5:20.