Devine Scripture

James 5:19

What does James 5:19 mean?

A plain-English look at James 5:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What James 5:19 means

James appeals to the community’s responsibility: if any stray from the truth and someone turns him back, that is significant work. Error is not abstract; it leads people away from life. The address “My brethren” keeps the tone familial, not condemning. Restoration is pursued personally—“one convert him”—showing that every believer can participate in rescue. The verse values truth and love together, recognizing that wandering can happen to “any” among us. It invites a patient, hopeful effort to reclaim those who drift, trusting God to use ordinary saints to arrest a dangerous trajectory and bring a fellow believer back into the safety of the truth.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

My brethren, if any among you err from the truth, and one convert him;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

My brethren, if any among you err from the truth, and one convert him;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

My brothers, if one of you has gone out of the way of the true faith and another has made him see his error,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Brethren, if any among you may go astray from the truth, and any one may turn him back,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

My brethren, if any of you err from the truth and one convert him:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

My brethren, if any one among you err from the truth, and one bring him back,

Context

After teaching about prayer’s power to heal and restore (vv. 13–18), James turns to moral-spiritual restoration in the community. Verse 19 introduces the theme, and verse 20 will explain the eternal weight of such redemptive work. The flow suggests that a praying, honest church also actively seeks the wandering. The emphasis on “any among you” ties the instruction to the letter’s recipients, keeping it pastoral and communal rather than merely theoretical.

v.18And he prayed again; and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

v.19This passage

v.20let him know, that he who converteth a sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Psalms 119:118

    Thou hast set at nought all them that err from thy statutes; For their deceit is falsehood.

  • 2 Peter 3:17

    Ye therefore, beloved, knowing these things beforehand, beware lest, being carried away with the error of the wicked, ye fall from your own stedfastness.

  • James 5:20

    let him know, that he who converteth a sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins.

  • James 3:14

    But if ye have bitter jealousy and faction in your heart, glory not and lie not against the truth.

  • Isaiah 3:12

    As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they that lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.

  • Luke 22:32

    but I made supplication for thee, that thy faith fail not; and do thou, when once thou hast turned again, establish thy brethren.

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