John Calvin Commentary James 5:20

"let him know, that he who converteth a sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins." — James 5:20 (ASV)

Let him know. I doubt whether this should rather have been written, γινώσκετε, “know you.” However, the meaning is the same both ways. For James recommends that we correct our brothers, pointing to the resulting effect, so that we may more diligently attend to this duty.

Nothing is better or more desirable than to deliver a soul from eternal death; and this is what he does who restores an erring brother to the right way. Therefore, a work so excellent should by no means be neglected.

We see how much Christ values acts such as giving food to the hungry and drink to the thirsty; but He esteems the salvation of the soul much more precious than the life of the body.

We must therefore take care that souls do not perish through our sloth, for God, in a way, puts their salvation into our hands. This is not to say that we can grant them salvation, but that God, through our ministry, delivers and saves those who otherwise seem to be near destruction.

Some copies have his soul, which does not change the meaning. I, however, prefer the other reading, because it has more force.

And shall hide a multitude of sins. He makes an allusion to a saying of Solomon, rather than a quotation (Proverbs 10:12). Solomon says that love covers sins, whereas hatred proclaims them.

For those who hate burn with the desire for mutual slander, but those who love are inclined to show mutual forbearance. Love, then, buries sins before men.

James teaches something higher here: that sins are blotted out before God. It is as if he had said, “Solomon has declared this as the fruit of love, that it covers sins; but there is no better or more excellent way of covering them than when they are completely abolished before God.”

And this is done when the sinner is brought to the right way by our admonition; we should then especially and more carefully attend to this duty.