James 5:16
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Original Language Analysis
ἐξομολογεῖσθε
Confess
G1843
ἐξομολογεῖσθε
Confess
Strong's:
G1843
Word #:
1 of 15
to acknowledge or (by implication, of assent) agree fully
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παραπτώματα,
your faults
G3900
παραπτώματα,
your faults
Strong's:
G3900
Word #:
4 of 15
a side-slip (lapse or deviation), i.e., (unintentional) error or (wilful) transgression
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὑπὲρ
for
G5228
ὑπὲρ
for
Strong's:
G5228
Word #:
7 of 15
"over", i.e., (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case super
ὅπως
that
G3704
ὅπως
that
Strong's:
G3704
Word #:
9 of 15
what(-ever) how, i.e., in the manner that (as adverb or conjunction of coincidence, intentional or actual)
πολὺ
much
G4183
πολὺ
much
Strong's:
G4183
Word #:
11 of 15
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
ἰσχύει
availeth
G2480
ἰσχύει
availeth
Strong's:
G2480
Word #:
12 of 15
to have (or exercise) force (literally or figuratively)
Cross References
Proverbs 15:29The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.Matthew 21:22And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.Psalms 34:15The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.John 9:31Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.1 Peter 2:24Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.Jeremiah 33:3Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.1 John 3:22And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.Proverbs 15:8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.Acts 19:18And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.Job 42:8Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.
Historical Context
House churches practiced mutual confession. This verse shaped liturgical confession and prayer meetings in the early church. It counters secrecy by promoting gospel vulnerability.
Questions for Reflection
- Who knows your struggles and prays for you?
- How can your community normalize confession?
- What fervent prayer practices can you adopt?
Analysis & Commentary
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Confess faults to one another and pray for one another so you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer (energoumenē, ἐνεργουμένη) of a righteous person avails much. James links community confession, intercession, and healing.
Reformed churches value corporate repentance and intercessory prayer as means of grace.