The Conclusion

 

A quip often offered with tongue in cheek is: “Nothing on earth is inevitable except for death and taxes.” And, I might add that taxes continue after death. However, here, James does not address taxes – he addresses the possibility of an early death.
 

James’ audience is the tribes of Israel who have experienced a relationship with the true Messiah. (See James 1.1-3) The body of his letter addresses issues of life and faith – and, for the need for these believers to live out their faith in their daily lives. Rather than living a duplicitous life of clinging to the old and paying homage to the new, James exhorts his readers to give up the old and replace it with the new.
 

With that in mind, James warns these believers of the possibility of having their lives cut short should they continue in their sinful paths. There is also offered a tremendous blessing to those who would seek out the wayward brother and convert him from the error of his ways. Notice that James is not speaking of bringing someone to Christ, but to turn an errant believer back into the right way. “To err” (planáō) indicates a wandering from the right path. This leaving may be intentional or unintentional. “To convert” (epistréphō) does not translate a word with a harsh tone, but rather, it suggests an easy change of direction. In this case, the change comes about through compassionate counsel emphasized through an urgent appeal.
 

Such appeal is needed because of the possible end results of this sinner’s continuing in his sin. Should no one warn the wanderer, there is the possibility of a life cut short. Notice that the injunction does not suggest that this person will be saved from hell, but from death. The child of God who remains unrepentant is in serious danger of experiencing God’s discipline. In his first epistle, John agrees with this assessment: “If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.” (I John 5.16, 17)
 

The phrase “shall hide (kalúptō – “To envelop, wrap around as bark”) a multitude of sins” occurs also in I Peter 4.8, where it clearly means the sins of others covered by love as a veil thrown over them. The saying appears also in Proverbs 10.12: “Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins” – that is “love refuses to see faults.” That is undoubtedly the meaning in I Peter 4.8 and James 5.20. (Robertson)
 

The redeemed sinner’s sins have all been handled (forgiven and cleansed) by the blood of Christ at the point of his conversion; however, the annoying and lingering faults which beset us from maintaining a perfect walk with Christ are hidden from view as fellow believers make forgiveness a practical matter. (Jeremiah 31.34; Hebrews 10.17) It is the love of Christ which brings us into this understanding. (II Corinthians 5.13-15)