James 5:16; "confess your faults one to another (the apostle does not say to the priest), and pray one for another, that ye may be healed." The "faults" (paraptoomata ) are literally "falls" in relation to one another. But the Sinaiticus, Alexandrinus, and Vaticanus manuscripts and Vulgate read "sins" (hamartias ). Confession is desirable
(1) in case of wrong done to a neighbor, Matthew 18:15;
(2) to a Christian adviser, ordained or unordained, anyone who can apply God's written word suitably to one's need, and "pray for" and with one, James 5:16;
(3) open confession of any wrong done to the church, which has caused scandal to religion, in token of penitence. Not auricular: Matthew 3:6; Acts 19:18, "many confessed and shewed (openly, not in the ear of a priest under the seal of secrecy) their deeds."