What is the Bible referring to when it says we should confess our sins one to another (James 5:16)?
Let’s review the text to which you refer in its context. I have found the New King James version of the Bible to be most accurate regarding this verse.
Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.
And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
(James 5:14-16 NKJV)
In verse fifteen, the word sin is translated from the Greek word “harmatia.” This word means “to sin.” It covers any type of sin.
In verse sixteen, the word trespass (sin in many translations) is translated from the Greek word “paratoma.” This word is always referring to a trespass that a person commits that offends or affects another person in a negative way. These two words can be seen in the same verse in Ephesians 2:1.
In James 5:15, we are being told that any sin we have committed will be forgiven when we are anointed with oil. In verse 16, we are being told to confess our trespasses, if we have sinned against each other, and then pray for each other to be healed.
I believe many Christians can’t receive healing because of harboring unforgiveness. This verse is telling us to deal with unforgiveness. I don’t believe it is a good practice to confess any sin to just anyone. If you have harmed a person by your sin, then this verse says to repent and confess it to them.
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Joe Cameneti Sr. is the lead pastor of Believers Church, located in his hometown of Warren, Ohio. Pastor Joe, along with his wife Gina, pioneered Believers Church in 1983 following his graduation from Bible School.
In addition to leading a thriving local church, Pastor Joe is the host of a weekly show called "BCTV." The program is aired locally on WFMJ, the NBC affiliate, reaching thousands weekly.
Pastor Joe is a gifted communicator, skilled in the art of building bridges to unchurched America. Transparent and authentic, you'll walk away challenged and encouraged to connect with God in a deeper way.
