James 5:16

“Confess your faults one to another, etc.] Which must be understood of sins committed against one another; which should be acknowledged, and repentance for them declared, in order to mutual forgiveness and reconciliation; and this is necessary at all times, and especially on beds of affliction, and when death and eternity seem near approaching: wherefore this makes nothing for auricular confession, used by the Papists; which is of all sins, whereas this is only of such by which men offend one another; that is made to priests, but this is made by the saints to one another, by the offending party to him that is offended, for reconciliation, whereby a good end is answered; whereas there is none…”

“The oldest authorities read, "Confess, THEREFORE," &c. Not only in the particular case of sickness, but universally confess. faults--your falls and offenses, in relation to one another. The word is not the same as sins. Mat 5:23-24; Luk 17:4, illustrate the precept here. one to another--not to the priest, as Rome insists. The Church of England recommends in certain cases. Rome compels confession in all cases. Confession is desirable in the case of (1) wrong done to a neighbor; (2) when under a troubled conscience we ask counsel of a godly minister or friend as to how we may obtain God's forgiveness and strength to sin no more, or when we desire their intercessory prayers for us ("Pray for…”

“Confess your faults one to another - This seems primarily to refer to those who were sick, since it is added, “that ye may be healed.” The fair interpretation is, that it might be supposed that such confession would contribute to a restoration to health. The case supposed all along here (see James 5:15) is, that the sickness referred to had been brought upon the patient for his sins, apparently as a punishment for some particular transgressions. Compare the notes at 1 Corinthians 11:30. In such a case, it is said that if those who were sick would make confession of their sins, it would, in connection with prayer, be an important means of restoration to health. The duty inculcated, and which…”

“Confess your faults - Whether ye are sick or in health. To one another - He does not say, to the elders: this may, or may not, be done; for it is nowhere commanded. We may confess them to any who can pray in faith: he will then know how to pray for us, and be more stirred up so to do. And pray one for another, that ye may be healed - Of all your spiritual diseases. James 5:17”

“Confess: Gen 41:9, Gen 41:10; Sa2 19:19; Mat 3:6, Mat 18:15-17; Luk 7:3, Luk 7:4; Act 19:18 pray: Col 1:9; Th1 5:17, Th1 5:23, Th1 5:25; Heb 13:18 that: Gen 20:17; Ch2 30:20; Luk 9:6; Act 10:38 The effectual: Gen 18:23-32, Gen 19:29, Gen 20:7, Gen 20:17, Gen 32:28; Exo 9:28, Exo 9:29, Exo 9:33, Exo 17:11, Exo 32:10-14; Num 11:2, Num 14:13-20, Num 21:7-9; Deu 9:18-20; Jos 10:12; Sa1 12:18; Kg1 13:6, Kg1 17:18-24; Kg2 4:33-35, Kg2 19:15-20, Kg2 20:2-5; Ch2 14:11, Ch2 14:12; Ch2 32:20-22; Job 42:8; Psa 10:17, Psa 10:18, Psa 34:15, Psa 145:18, Psa 145:19; Pro 15:8, Pro 15:29; Pro 28:9; Jer 15:1, Jer 29:12, Jer 29:13, Jer 33:3; Dan 2:18-23, Dan 9:20-22; Hos 12:3, Hos 12:4; Mat 7:7-11, Mat 21:22;…”