James 5:20

King James Version with Strong's Numbers

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.

📖 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 sins.
• 1 Pet 4:8 : 8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
• Rom 11:14 : 14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.
• 1 Tim 4:16 : 16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
• 1 Cor 9:22 : 22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
• Prov 11:30 : 30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
• Ps 32:1 : 1 A Psalm of David, Maschil. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
• Jas 5:19 : 19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
• Phlm 1:19 : 19 I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.
• Jas 1:15 : 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, 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 on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto 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: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.