Henry Krabbendam - James - World Evangelical Alliance

One commentator who adopts this explanation does so with a twist. The
multitude of sins in view should not be linked with the past but with the future.
They will be covered over in the sense of being suppressed and prevented.
Many sins that people routinely practice they will no longer commit,
once they are back on the biblical track. In other words, “the proper effect of
correction in the community” will be “the prevention of numerous sins in society”
(Johnson, 339). Although this will undoubtedly be the case, it is questionable
whether the verb “to cover” allows this “twist” in the present context.
In the meantime the question remains. Which interpretation to choose?
Does the coverage benefit the “correctors” or the “corrected,” the “returners”
or the “returnees?” The solution possibly rests in the formulation of “a multitude
of sins.” This brings the second issue into view. What does it mean that
“a multitude of sins” is “covered?” Since the answer to this question will assist
us in settling the first issue, let us endeavor to answer it. If the “covering,”
which James has in mind, refers to the sum and substance of justification, the
addition of “multitude” is awkward. The blood of Christ covers all our sins,
not just a multitude. Further, if it refers to the sins of those saved from death,
it is anticlimactic (Ropes, 316).
This may imply that the verb “to cover” does not mean to atone, but
rather to cover over, remove from sight and to forget, in short, to bury, in line
with 1 Peter 4:8! The deficiencies and shortcomings in the life of believers
are many, not only in commission but also in omission. So are their “unhappy”
consequences. Of course, this applies to both the “rescuer” and the
“rescued,” the “corrector” and the “corrected.” James may well be telling his
readers that there is a mighty future when God’s people (once again begin to)
mean business. On the one hand, they are all zealous to turn into the “spiritual
repairmen” they ought to be. No time or energy is spared to “stand in the gap”
and to come to the rescue of fellow believers who are in the trap of the Enemy.
On the other hand, all those who are in need of “spiritual repairs” heartily
welcome the facilitators of their practical godliness, and become returnees
with all the saving consequences connected with this. As a result of all this a
new wind blows through the Church. At that point all kinds of deficiencies
and shortcomings as well as their implications, whether they are minor or
major irritants, minor or major pitfalls, minor or major barriers that could
hinder or even stop the progress of the Church in whole or in part, no longer
set the tone. They are no longer the final determinants. All of the constituents
go all out to halt the oozing, if not surge, of moral filth, to stop the flowing of
spiritual sewage, and to end the discharge of ethical poison in their fellow
covenant community members.
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