James 5:20

“Let him know, etc.] And observe it for his encouragement: that he which converteth a sinner from the error of his way; who is the instrument of restoring a backsliding professor, for such an one is meant by a sinner, and not a profane person; or of turning a poor bewildered believer, who is got out of the way of truth and holiness, into the right way again; or of convincing him of the error of his way, whether it be in point of doctrine, or of duty; and so of bringing him to the fold of Christ again, from whence he has strayed: shall save a soul from death; not efficiently, but instrumentally, as in (<540416>1 Timothy 4:16) for otherwise Christ is the only Saviour; and he will be the means…”

“Let him--the converted. know--for his comfort, and the encouragement of others to do likewise. shall save--future. The salvation of the one so converted shall be manifested hereafter. shall hide a multitude of sins--not his own, but the sins of the converted. The Greek verb in the middle voice requires this. Pro 10:12 refers to charity "covering" the sins of others before men; James to one's effecting by the conversion of another that that other's sins be covered before God, namely, with Christ's atonement. He effects this by making the convert partaker in the Christian covenant for the remission of all sins. Though this hiding of sins was included in the previous "shall save," James…”

“Let him know - Let him who converts the other know for his encouragement. That he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way - Any sinner; anyone who has done wrong. This is a general principle, applicable to this case and to all others of the same kind. It is a universal truth that he who turns a sinner from a wicked path does a work which is acceptable to God, and which will in some way receive tokens of his approbation. Compare Deuteronomy 12:3. No work which man can perform is more acceptable to God; none will be followed with higher rewards. In the language which is used here by the apostle, it is evidently intended not to deny that success in converting a sinner, or in…”

“He shall save a soul - Of how much more value than the body! Jam 5:14. And hide a multitude of sins - Which shall no more, how many soever they are, be remembered to his condemnation. Next: 1 Peter Chapter 1”

“5:20 To save a sinner from death refers not merely to physical death but to eternal death, the punishment for departing from the truth of the Good News of Jesus Christ (see 1:12, 15; cp. Heb 6:4-8). If the sinful person listens and repents, eternal punishment will be averted (see also Gal 6:1; Jude 1:22-24).”

“that he: Jam 5:19 shall save: Pro 11:30; Rom 11:14; Co1 9:22; Ti1 4:16; Plm 1:19 from death: Jam 1:15; Pro 10:2, Pro 11:4; Joh 5:24; Rev 20:6 hide: Psa 32:1; Pro 10:12; Pe1 4:8 Next: 1 Peter Introduction”