Ver. 19, 20. Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; let him hioio that he ivhich converteth a sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a ■multitude of sins.
Here, from prayer, the apostle diverteth to another Christian oflfice, and that is admonition, wherein the work is propounded — turning a sinner from the error of his way. A double fruit is annexed ; we shall be instruments in their conversion and pardon. Some do conceive that this is an apology for the whole epistle ; rather it may be referred to the immediate context, for the apostle is treating of those acts of Cin-istian charity and relief that we owe to one another, visiting the sick, praying for the distressed, and now of reclaiming the erroneous.
// any of you ; that is, of your nation, or rather society ; for he supposetli them already gained to the knowledge of the truth.
Do err from the truth, TrXavrjdi} dirb tt}? dXtjOeiaf;. — He understandeth errors both in faith and manners. The word chiefly implieth errors in the faith ; but in the next verse he spcaketh of * a sinner,' and of 'covering a multitude of sins;' which phrases imply errors of life, and so both must be understood. By truth he understandeth the rule of the go.spel, whether condemning errors in judgment or indirect practices. Thus, concerning tiie first, it is said of Ilymeneiis and Philetus, 2 Tim ii. 18, that ' they erred concerning the truth, saying, the resurrection is past.' So concerning the second, it is said of Peter, Gal. ii. 14, ' That he walked not with a rijrht foot accordin": to the
JaS. V. 19, 20.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JAMES. 473
truth of the gospel ; ' and the apostle John speaketh often of ' walking in the truth ; ' ^ that is, according to that rule and order which the gospel prescribeth.
And one convert Jiim. — To convert a sinner properly is God's work. He tiu-neth us: 'We are his workmanship in Christ Jesus,' Eph. ii. 10. Yet it is ascribed to man, to the ministers and instruments of conversion, as Acts xxvi. 18, ' To turn them from Satan to the living God,' because they use such means and helps by which God conveyeth a blessing. We plant and water, and ' God giveth the increase,' 1 Cor. iii. 5. Mark, he saith, a7id one convert him ; he doth not limit it to the minister only. Acts of spiritual charity belong to the care of all believers. Wherever there is true grace it will be assimilating : Luke xxii. 32, ' Being converted, strengthen thy brethren.'
Let him hioiv, >ytyvcoaKeTco. — Some read jLyvcoaKere, know, but to the same effect.-
That he ivhich converteth a sinner; that is an instrument in God's hand, by contributing the help and counsel of his prayers and endea- vours.
Shall save a soid. — Some expound it of the soul of the admonisher, his own soul ; but more properly it is understood of the soul of him that is converted ; and save, that is, be an instrument of his salva- tion. W^ords proper to the supreme cause are often ascribed to the instrument. So Kom. xi. 14, ' That I may save them that are my own flesh/ &c. So 1 Tim. iv. 16, ' Thou shalt save thyself, and them that hear thee.' And a soid, that is the person. The principal part is specified; which being saved, the body also is saved. So 1 Peter i. 9, ' Ye shall receive the end of your faith, the salvation of your souls.' So James i. 21, ' Which is able to save your souls.'
From death. — Eternal death, which hath no power on the con- verted, Rev. XX. 6, and from many corrections in this life. In the whole clause there is an argument. This was Christ's work ; to save souls from death, he himself died to procure it ; and shall not we con- tribute a few endeavours ? &c.
And shall hide a multitude of sins. — God's act is again ascribed to the instrument. The sense is, he shall be a means of hiding the sins of an erring brother. I confess there is some difference about render- ing the sense of this phrase. Brugensis applieth it to the person con- verting, he shall cover a multitude of his own sins. His reason is taken from a parallel place of Peter, 1 Peter iv. 8, where it is said, ' Have fervent charity among yourselves, for charity shall cover a mul- titude of sins.' Which place, together with this, he applieth to the merit of charity before God. But to this I reply — (1.) That the doc- trine itself is false. Charity is indeed a sign and argument of the for- giveness of our sins, but not a cause. To pardon others giveth us the greater confidence and assurance of our own pardon. Mat. vi. 14. (2.) That it is uncertain whether that expression in Peter, and this in James, have the same aim and tendency ; yea, there are strong rea- sons to the contrary. (3.) Suppose that these places are parallel, yet that place in Peter doth not speak of covering sins before God, but amongst men ; and not of the covering of the sins of the charitable