James 1:23

Read it in 5 translations

KJV King James Version

For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

BSB Berean Standard Bible

For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror,

WEB World English Bible

For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man looking at his natural face in a mirror;

ASV American Standard Version

For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a mirror:

YLT Young’s Literal Translation

because, if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, this one hath been like to a man viewing his natural face in a mirror,

Surrounding context — James 1

20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth [therein], he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion [is] vain.

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Cross-references

Matthew 7:26-27And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:James 2:14-26What [doth it] profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?Ezekiel 33:31-32And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee [as] my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, [but] their heart goeth after their covetousness.Luke 6:47Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:Jeremiah 44:16[As for] the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the LORD, we will not hearken unto thee.Luke 6:7And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.

HISTORICAL INTERPRETATION

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CLASSIC COMMENTARY & PREACHING

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