What does it mean that a person who turns a sinner from their sin covers a multitude of sins (James 5:20)?

Answer

The book of James reminds us that faith involves action (James 2:14-18). One way believers express their faith in action is by working to restore other professing Christians who have strayed: “My brothers and sisters, if any among you strays from the truth, and someone turns him back, let that person know that whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20;CSB).

James is addressing fellow believers (“my brothers and sisters”) when he makes this promise: anyone who successfully leads a sinner away from sin covers a multitude of sins. “Covering sin” refers to the forgiveness of sin through atonement. It means to conceal sin through the provision of a sufficient sacrifice. Psalm 32:1 says, “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.”

When a wandering sinner turns from the error of their ways back to the truth, that individual is forgiven many sins. The term “turns” in James 5:20 signifies repentance from sin (see 2 Chronicles 6:24-25;Psalm 51:13;Luke 1:16). Christ’s all-sufficient sacrifice on the cross covers the sins of those who repent and accept His forgiveness (Luke 24:46-47).

What might James mean by “a multitude of sins”? When a person comes to know Jesus Christ as Savior, every sin is forgiven, the complete sum of sins, of which God is fully aware of each one. The sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ covers them all.
Our motivation for reclaiming wanderers is love for those who are faltering. “Above all

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins,” states 1 Peter 4:8. James urges Christians to watch out for one another and uplift each other to stay firm in their dedication to Christ and obedience to God. If we notice someone entangled in sin, we should think of ways to guide that individual to repentance and seek God’s forgiveness.

James does not specify how to go about restoring those who wander from the truth, but we can begin with praying for the sinner to repent (Ephesians 6:18; James 5:13-18). We can also seek God’s guidance to discover the most effective ways to assist, motivate, and “spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24-25; see also John 13:34-35).

When a sinner repents, they are rescued from spiritual destruction. Therefore, James 5:20 states, “Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save their soul from death.” Sin is the ultimate destroyer of lives. James clarifies that “sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death” «Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. », (James 1:15). If an individual persists in a pattern of sin, they will eventually face eternal death and separation from God (Romans 6:16, 23; 8:13; Galatians 5:19-21). Taking action in our faith to restore such a person is a valuable pursuit.

It is crucial to identify who James is referring to as “the sinner” in this context. James is addressing individuals who claim to follow Christ. These are individuals who deviate from the truth due to doctrinal errors and sin because they never genuinely surrendered to Christ’s authority. They are similar to those whoSeed was thrown on shallow or rocky soil that withered with no root (Mark 4:1-9;Luke 8:4-8). These wanderers never accepted the authority of God’s kingdom over their lives by confessing faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Jesus spoke of such people not as true disciples, but as those who are deceived: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7:21-23). When a Christian successfully turns a wandering sinner from his or her sin, covering a multitude of sins, that sinner is making a genuine conversion to faith in Jesus Christ.

Nevertheless, true believers can be enticed by Satan and entangled in sin «Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, », (Hebrews 12:1). God calls mature Christians to come alongside weaker brothers and sisters who are struggling with sin (1 Thessalonians 5:6-11, 14-22;Philippians 2:4). If we can help them see the error of their way and turn from sin, they will avoid the devastation and destruction of a life of disobedience.