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.