James 5:19-20 NASB1995 My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
James, as he so often does in his epistle, gives us a text that causes us to think and dig into the rest of scripture.
First, we see he is speaking to Christians about Christians. He says, "My brethren, if any among you. This definitely is speaking to Christians. Second, we see he is speaking about a Christian who is backsliding. He says, "if any among you strays from the truth." Third, he is speaking of a Christian helping another Christian in reconciliation of the brethren who has strayed. He is speaking of one who has backslidden, and returned to a life of sin. Then being turned back by his fellow brother. He says, "if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back." Fourth, he tells the Christian who is helping to bring his brother back to Christ, that he is saving a soul from death. He says, "he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death." Here, we really need to dig, and when we do, it makes sense and brings the scriptures together. The word soul is the Greek word psyche or psoo-khay it literally means physical life. So we see that James is not speaking of eternal life when he says soul. He is speaking of saving the person from physically dying.
John explains that sin can lead to physical death. 1 John 5:16 NASB1995 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that he should make request for this.
Paul explains that people can die a physical death early because of sin. 1 Corinthians 11:29-30 NASB1995 For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly. For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep.
Solomon teaches the same thing in Proverbs. Proverbs 10:27 NASB1995 The fear of the Lord prolongs life, But the years of the wicked will be shortened.
So James is saying by a Christian leading a backslidden Christian to repentance can save them for a time from physical death. This death can come about because of the sin of a Christian. Fifth James explains that this action can hinder a multitude of sin. He says, "will cover a multitude of sins." James explains two things this will do. First it will help the backslidden Christian not to sin and second it will show the lost the truth. Therefore, the brother will not lead the lost astray,
James is showing us Christians, that just as it is important for us to lead the lost to Christ, it is also important to lead a fellow Christian who is straying back to Christ. This might keep them from an early physical death and save others from an eternal death.
Love Bro. Scott