Henry Krabbendam - James - World Evangelical Alliance

(the rescued)? There is biblical room and warrant for applying it either to the
former (Prov. 10:12; 1 Pet. 4:8) (Dibelius, 258), or to the latter referent (Ps.
32:1-2; 85:2-3; Prov. 10:12; 28:13; Is. 1:18; 38: 17; Dan. 4:24; Mic. 7:18-19;
Rom. 4:7; 1 John 1:7) (Johnson, 339). In either case the sins in view are effectively
erased or neutralized. It appears to be a toss-up which explanation
should be preferred. This is also indicated by the opinions of the commentators.
They are evenly divided. 386
On the one hand, it is a heartwarming truth for “correctors” to be told
that “loving their brothers or sisters more than they love themselves” by “going
after them,” regardless of cost, will have powerful benefits for them. Expending
our time and energy in prayer as well as confrontation in the pursuit
of holiness of faith or practice among Church members will have a rich payoff
for us. In terms of James 2:13, our “show of mercy” toward fellow believers
in seeking their conversion will prompt God’s “show of mercy” toward us
in closing his eyes to our shortcomings, and not being “nitpicky.” It is a
common NT theme that God treats us as we treat others (Burdick, 190, with
reference to Mt. 6:14-15, 18:23-25, as well as Jam. 2:12-13). It is therefore
far from unreasonable to take Scripture’s repeated pattern of expression,
which runs parallel to the sequence of James’ thought, into account in the interpretation
of James’ conclusion. “Givers” will turn into “receivers.” The
“saviors” turn into the “saved.” It is heartwarming, indeed, to know this. It is
even more heartwarming to experience it! Usefulness in the Kingdom produces
the smile of God, and the glow of that smile suffuses all of life. It even
blankets one’s own shortcomings and sins (Schlatter, 290).
On the other hand, it is equally heartwarming to be able to confirm to the
corrected that their sins are covered. Their rescue from eternal death and the
covering of sin are inseparable. If this is what James intends to say, the conclusion
of his letter amounts to a powerful affirmation. It is argued that the
parallel with “saving a soul” from death, makes this the preferable explanation,
also fully in line with Scripture (Ps. 103:12; Is. 38:17; 43:25; Mic. 7:18).
What an incentive to admonish! Not only is there the prospect that terminal
cancer is halted and death “conquered.” But also a multitude of sins is covered
(Is. 55:7; Hos. 11:9; Mt. 18:24). This means that the sinner turns a new
leaf. He starts a new chapter in his life. Once he was “branded.” Now the past
is covered and therefore “forgotten,” not only by God, but also by the Church
(PHDavids, 200-201).
386 It is also theoretically possible that the “correctors” are admonished to bury the faults of
the neighbor and so to hide the infirmities of those in need of “correction.” This, however,
would be passing strange both in view of the uncompromising nature of James’ letter, and the
closing plea to go after them who stray from the truth. This does not spell “cover-up,” but exposure,
repentance and transformation!
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