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- Preaching the Living WORD through
the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4;:2 - |
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FINAL
ADMONITIONS - 3 “TURNING BACK A SINNER” (James 5:19-20) 2-13-13 Grace Bible Church,
Gillette, Wyoming Pastor Daryl Hilbert I. TURN BACK A SINNER
(19-20) A. Though James is a
powerfully practical book, it has its interpretative difficulties (Jm 1:21;
4:6; 5:1-6; 14-15). It should probably come as no surprise that the
conclusion of James in chapter five closes with another. B. In Jm 5:19-20, James exhorts believers to
attempt to turn back the heart of one who has fallen astray. 1. There is
no conflict regarding the believer’s security in this passage because one is
either a believer and saved eternally or never was a believer though he may
have professed to be one. Therefore the interpretation that Jm 5:19-20
teaches that you can lose your salvation is scripturally invalid (cf. Jn
10:28-29; Ro 8:1; He 7:25). 2. What interpreters wrestle with in this
passage is whether James is referring to a believer or unbeliever. Some of
the language used by James can be used to support
either interpretation. 3. Furthermore, cross references in
Scripture can be used for support for either
position. In other words, the Bible obviously teaches the responsibility to
bring the lost to salvation (Mt 9:11-12; 28:18-20; Ac 1:8). But it also teaches the need to restore fallen believers
(Mt 18:15; Ga 6:1; 1Th 5:14). 4. Context is the area that usually
illuminates a difficult interpretation. Nevertheless, James has referred to
both believers and unbelievers in his book (Jm 5:1-6 cp. Jm 5:7). II. REFERENCE TO AN
UNBELIEVER A. As support for the view
that James has unbelievers in mind is his use of the word “sinner.” In
practically ever usage of the word “sinner” (hamartōlos
- one who sins and misses the mark), it refers to an unbeliever who has
not been saved (Lk 15:7, 10; 1Pe 4:18). B. James also uses “death” (thana,tos), which certainly
can refer to physical death (Ro 5:12; Re 21:4), but usually in regard to
sinners (unbelievers) it especially refers to spiritual death (1Jn 3:14; Re
21:8). C. Another support is the use of “save” (sō,zō - to
deliver). James himself uses the word in his epistle with the meaning of
salvation (Jm 2:14; 4:12). Jm 4:12 is very relevant when he is teaching on
“dead faith” (cp. Jm 2:17, 26). D. Apostasy is a strong contextual
consideration in the NT and would certainly be within the framework of James.
Apostasy (apostasi,a - leave, fall away from, change loyalties, defect, Ac
21:21) in the NT is usually a general falling away from and a
denial of the truth (1Ti 4:1; Heb 3:12; 1Jn 2:19
cp. 2Ti 3:1-5; Luk 8:13). This would be a pseudo
professing believer who eventually shows that he was never a true believer
and denies the faith. This is in distinction to the major and future
Apostasy that will be brought about by the
Antichrist (2Th 2:3). III. REFERENCE TO A BELIEVER A. We have discussed James’
use of the word “brethren” to refer to believers (Jm 2:1, 5, 14; 3:1, 10, 12;
4:11; 5:7, 9, 10, 12). Its use in Jm 5:19 makes a
strong argument that he is speaking in the context of believers. B. In addition to the phrase “brethren,” he
adds, “If anyone ‘among you.” The sphere that James appears to be speaking is
“among” (en - preposition meaning in or within, also can denote close
relationship “among”; Jm 3:13; 4:1; 5:13, 14), believers. C. As for the word “save” (sōzō), James also used that word in a
context of believers (Jm 1:21; 5:15). In Jm 1:21, James does not mean that we
are saved by obedience to the Word; rather obedience
is a fruit of those who have true faith. Though most versions translate Jm 5:15 as “save,” the NASB grasps the true context and
translates it “restore.” D. “Death” can refer to spiritual death or
physical death. In reference to the believer, sin does not cause eternal
death, but can result in physical death (1Co 11:30; 1Jn 5:16). Carnality in a
believer is never condoned, but unfortunately, it is
possible for a believer; just read the letter to the Corinthians (cf. 1Co
1:2). E. The phrase “sinner” is perhaps the most
difficult to fit into a strong argument for this view because it practically
always refers to an unbeliever. However, in James 4:8, James apparently uses
it in the context of believers where they, having drawn near to God, were to
cleanse their hands from their sinful ways. He calls them “sinners” (hamartōloi - plural). It is possible
for the believer to still sin due to his sinful nature. In that sense, we are
sinners, saved by grace. IV. EXPLANATION OF JAMES
5:19-20 A. Since James has been
speaking to theses dispersed believers in Jm 5:7ff, it is not
unreasonable to include vss. 19-20 into that context. B. It is not a foreign idea today to see
believers “stray from the truth.” The word “stray” (plana,ō
- has the root meaning of wandering to the point of becoming disoriented;
Eng. Planetarium; active - lead astray; passive -
go astray) can refer to a believer who wanders away from the truth and
become spiritually disoriented (cp. by sin - 1Jn 1:8; by deception - 1Jn 3:7;
cp. Jm 1:16). It does not appear as strong as defection or rejection of the
“truth” (alê,theia
- can refer to doctrine - Tit 1:13-14 or behavior - 3Jn 1:4). C. The responsibility of the spiritually
stronger believers is to turn him back to the truth. The word “turn” is the
Greek word epistrephō and
conveys the idea of turning to or toward something (in this context, turn him
back from wandering. The KJV translates it “convert” which gives the
impression of salvation (cp. Ac 3:19; 11:21). But it
can also refer to a believer turning back from doctrinal error (Ga 4:9) or
failure (Lk 22:32). D. The strong believer who turns the straying
believer back to the truth can rejoice in much victory for the kingdom. 1. “He will
save his soul from death.” This is a strong phrase which could refer to a
sinner’s spiritual death (Mt 10:28). However, “soul” (psuchê,) can sometimes be translated
as “life,” as “save his life from death.” (cp. Mt
2:20; 10:39; 20:28; Lk 6:9; Jn 15:13; Ro 16:4; Php 2:20; 1Jn 3:16). If this
does refer to an unbeliever, then it is the ultimate blessing of being used by God to save his soul from spiritual death.
If it refers to a believer, then there has been spiritual victory in the life
of a believer and possibly spared that believer of God’s chastisement. 2. It “will cover a multitude of sins.” For
an unbeliever, his sins will be covered by the blood of
Christ. For a believer, and the word seems to favor this view, sins
will be covered (kalu,ptō
- hide, overlook ) in the sense of forgiveness vertically from God and
horizontally from man. It is the same word used in Pr 10:12 (LXX) and 1Pe
4:8. V. OBSERVATIONS AND
APPLICATIONS A. Regardless of how we
interpret this passage, we are to understand from Scripture that there can
always be mere professing believers in the church. Apostasy in the general
sense has always been something within the church. If they are really
unbelievers, then bring them to salvation. If they are believers, then bring
them along in sanctification. B. Cain asked the question, “am I my
brother’s keeper?” In the community of believers, the answer is “Yes.” James
is exhorting believers not to look at wandering believers as not worth their
time and effort. Ministry always ministers to those who are in need of
spiritual help. Perhaps they will reject our attempts, but we must always
have a prayerful and willing attitude to minister to them. C. Straying can be either in doctrine or in
behavior. Sometimes believers pride themselves in orthodoxy (right doctrine)
but neglect orthopraxis (right practice or behavior). Sometimes it is contra
wise. D. When God allows us to rescue straying
believers, not only is sin covered, but also the many repercussions and
consequences of sin that go with it. |
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