James 5:19 and 20 Explained

by David J. Stewart

"Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.: -James 5:19,20

Some people try to use this Scripture passage to teach that a believer can lose their salvation.  However, this is not what the Bible is teaching at all.  Confusion sometimes arises over the word "Brethren."  James states in Verse 1:1 that he is writing to the 12 tribes of Israel, not to a church. The "brethren" James writes to are saved Israelite brethren, and he expresses his concerns over his unsaved Jewish brethren.  So when James speaks of a "brother" erring away from the truth, he is speaking of Jews who have never been saved.  A believer can never lose his or her salvation.


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