James 5:20

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

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.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Γινωσκέτω, ὅτι ὁ ἐπιστρέψας ἁμαρτωλὸν ἐκ πλάνης ὁδοῦ αὐτοῦ σώσει ψυχὴν ἐκ θανάτου, καὶ καλύψει πλῆθος ἁμαρτιῶν.

Transliteration

Ginōsketō, that the epistrepsas hamartōlon ek planēs hodou of him sōsei psychēn ek thanatou, and kalypsei plēthos hamartiōn.

Grammar Details

• *Ginōsketō*: present active imperative, 3rd singular - let him know
• *epistrepsas*: aorist active participle, nominative, masculine, singular - having turned back
• *hamartōlon*: accusative, masculine, singular - sinner
• *ek*: preposition + genitive - from
• *planēs*: genitive, feminine, singular - error/wandering
• *hodou*: genitive, feminine, singular - way/path
• of him: genitive, masculine, singular - of him/his
• *sōsei*: future active, 3rd singular - will save
• *psychēn*: accusative, feminine, singular - soul
• *thanatou*: genitive, masculine, singular - death
• *kalypsei*: future active, 3rd singular - will cover
• *plēthos*: accusative, neuter, singular - multitude
• *hamartiōn*: genitive, feminine, plural - of sins

Word Meanings

• *Ginōsketō*: let him know/understand/recognize
• *epistrepsas*: having turned back/converted/brought back
• *hamartōlon*: sinner/sinful person
• *planēs*: error/wandering/going astray
• *hodou*: way/path/road (metaphorical for life course)
• *sōsei psychēn ek thanatou*: will save a soul from death (could refer to spiritual or physical death)
• *kalypsei*: will cover/hide/conceal
• *plēthos hamartiōn*: multitude of sins/many sins

Referenced Verses

• Prov 10:12 : 12 Hatred stirreth up strifes; But love covereth all transgressions.
• 1 Pet 4:8 : 8 {G1161} above all things being fervent in your love among yourselves; for love covereth a multitude of sins:
• Rom 11:14 : 14 if by any means I may provoke to jealousy [them that are] my flesh, and may save some of them.
• 1 Tim 4:16 : 16 Take heed to thyself, and to thy teaching. Continue in these things; for in doing this thou shalt save both thyself and them that hear thee.
• 1 Cor 9:22 : 22 To the weak I became {G5613} weak, that I might gain the weak: I am become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some.
• Prov 11:30 : 30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; And he that is wise winneth souls.
• Ps 32:1 : 1 [ A Psalm of David. Maschil.] Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered.
• Jas 5:19 : 19 My brethren, if any among you err from the truth, and one convert him;
• Phlm 1:19 : 19 I Paul write it with mine own hand, I will repay it: None that I say not unto thee that thou owest to me even thine own self besides.
• Jas 1:15 : 15 Then the lust, when it hath conceived, beareth sin: and the sin, when it is fullgrown, bringeth forth death.
• Prov 11:4 : 4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath; But righteousness delivereth from death.
• John 5:24 : 24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth him that sent me, hath eternal life, and {G2064} cometh not into judgment, but hath passed out of death into life.
• Prov 10:2 : 2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing; But righteousness delivereth from death.
• Rev 20:6 : 6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: over these the second death hath no power; but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.