Charles Ellicott Commentary James 5:19

"My brethren, if any among you err from the truth, and one convert him;" — James 5:19 (ASV)

Brethren.—My brethren, it should rather be. The last, and, to some, the dearest of the wise Apostle's remarks, is this on conversion; and it fittingly closes his loving and plain-speaking Letter.

If any of you do err . . .—More accurately, If one of you is led away from the truth, and someone converts him. It is not willful error so much as being seduced by others, who draw the unwary from their proper course, until in time they themselves become wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever (Jude 1:13).

Just as being led away was an act prompted by the devil, so bringing someone home is the service of God, and each will have its fitting reward.

The sinner is, as it were, riding headlong to destruction, when a friend takes hold of the rein and literally “converts” him, i.e., turns him around. But observe, the wanderer is still far from home, and he must travel many a weary league, even with his face turned and kept heavenward, before the end draws near.