James 5:16 (BSB)

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.

From James 5. Also in the ESV.

Commentary on James 5:16

  • John Calvin (Reformed), Calvin's Commentaries on James 5:16: 16 Confess your faults one to another. In some copies the illative particle is given, nor is it unsuitable; for though when not expressed, it must be understood. He had said, that sins were remitted to the sick over whom the elders prayed: he now reminds them how useful it is to discover our sins to our brethren, even that we may obtain the pardon of them by their intercession.
  • Matthew Henry (Presbyterian), Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on James 5:12-20: This epistle now drawing to a close, the penman goes off very quickly from one thing to another: hence it is that matters so very different are insisted on in these few verses. I. The sin of swearing is cautioned against: But above all things, my brethren, swear not, etc., Jam 5:12.
  • John Gill (Reformed Baptist), Exposition of the Old and New Testaments on James 5:16: Confess your faults one to another,.... Which must be understood of sins committed against one another; which should be acknowledged, and repentance for them declared, in order to mutual forgiveness and reconciliation; and this is necessary at all times, and especially on beds of affliction, and when death and eternity seem near approaching: wherefore this makes nothing for auricular confession, used by the Papists; which...
  • Albert Barnes (Presbyterian), Barnes' New Testament Notes on James 5:16: Verse 16. Confess your faults one to another. This seems primarily to refer to those who were sick, since it is added, "that ye may be healed." The fair interpretation is, that it might be supposed that such confession would contribute to a restoration to health.