James 5:20

Know. That is, through actual experience. The “joy” of heaven is shared by the soul winner when “one sinner ... repenteth” (see on Luke 15:7).

Converteth. See on verse 19. Only God converts, but men are His instruments in this heavenly work. Many are the ways by which Christians may turn the thoughts of men to God. The most potent argument to lead sinners to turn to God is the purity and peace of the Christian himself.

Death. That is, eternal death. The judgment of eternal death awaits all who remain in their sins (see Romans 6:23). To rescue a sinner from eternal death is by far more glorious than even a rescue from physical present death (see Daniel 12:3). The desire to rescue men who would otherwise eternally perish prompted Jesus to come to this earth. The same concern for his fellow men will motivate the genuine Christian.

Hide. Greek kalupto, “to cover up,” “to veil” (see on Psalm 32:1). Compare 1 Peter 4:8. When a man is converted, his sins are hidden and, as it were, cast “into the depths of the sea” (see on Micah 7:19). James concludes his majestic appeal to his Christian brethren with the keynote message of the New Testament — the rescue of man from his sins and his restoration to the full stature of Jesus Christ.