James clearly teaches us that we must “confess our sins to one another,” not just privately to God. James 5:16 must be read in the context of James 5:14-15, which is referring to the healing power (both physical and spiritual) of the priests of the Church. Hence, when James says “therefore” in verse 16, he must be referring to the men he was writing about in verses 14 and 15 – these men are the ordained priests of the Church, to whom we must confess our sins.
“James clearly teaches us that we must “confess our sins to one another,” not just privately to God.”
No. In this passage the confession is to one you’ve sinned against.
“James 5:16 must be read in the context of James 5:14-15, which is referring to the healing power (both physical and spiritual) of the priests of the Church.”
No priests mentioned here. No priests listed as a church office in the NT.
“Hence, when James says “therefore” in verse 16, he must be referring to the men he was writing about in verses 14 and 15 – these men are the ordained priests of the Church, to whom we must confess our sins.”
No ordination mentioned either. Nor priests. If it were true that sin should be confessed to the elders mentioned earlier, he would have said to confess your sins to the elders instead of “to one another”.
He did not.