American Standard Version
James 1:23
23For 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:
James 1:23 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)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:
- New International Version (NIV)Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror
- English Standard Version (ESV)For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror.
- New King James Version (NKJV)For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror;
Context of James 1:23
21Wherefore putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 22But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deluding your own selves. 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: 24for he beholdeth himself, and goeth away, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25But he that looketh into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and so continueth, being not a hearer that forgetteth but a doer that worketh, this man shall be blessed in his doing.
Read all of James 1James 1:23 word by word
ὅτι εἴ τις ἀκροατὴς λόγου ἐστὶν καὶ οὐ ποιητής, οὗτος ἔοικεν ἀνδρὶ κατανοοῦντι τὸ πρόσωπον τῆς γενέσεως αὐτοῦ ἐν ἐσόπτρῳ·Read the interlinear
Cross-references for James 1:23
- James 2:14What doth it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, but have not works? can that faith save him?
- Jeremiah 44:16As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of Jehovah, we will not hearken unto thee.
- Ezekiel 33:31And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but do them not; for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goeth after their gain.
- Matthew 7:26And every one that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand:
- Luke 6:47Every one that cometh unto me, and heareth my words, and doeth them, I will show you to whom he is like:
Commentaries on James 1:23
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23Beholding his natural face in a glass - This metaphor is very simple, but very expressive. A man wishes to see his own face, and how, in its natural state, it appears; for this purpose he looks into a mirror, by which his real face, with all its blemishes and imperfections, is exhibited. He is affected with his own appearance; he sees deformities that might be remedied; spots, superfluities, and impurities, that might be removed. While he continues to…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23For if any be - The ground of the comparison in these verses is obvious. The apostle refers to what all persons experience, the fact that we do not retain a distinct impression of ourselves after we have looked in a mirror. While actually looking in the mirror, we see all our features, and can trace them distinctly; when we turn away, the image and the impression both vanish. When looking in the mirror, we can see all the defects and blemishes of our…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 22-25Verses 22-25 If we heard a sermon every day of the week, and an angel from heaven were the preacher, yet, if we rested in hearing only, it would never bring us to heaven. Mere hearers are self-deceivers; and self-deceit will be found the worst deceit at last. If we flatter ourselves, it is our own fault; the truth, as it is in Jesus, flatters no man. Let the word of truth be carefully attended to, and it will set before us the corruption of our nature…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 22-23In several parts of the letter, James seems to ponder the teachings of Jesus. These verses show the teachings of Jesus (Matthew 7:24, 26; Luke 6:46, 49).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2323. For--the logical self-deceit (Jas 1:22) illustrated. not a doer--more literally, "a notdoer" [Alford]. The true disciple, say the rabbis, learns in order that he may do, not in order that he may merely know or teach. his natural face--literally, "the countenance of his birth": the face he was born with. As a man may behold his natural face in a mirror, so the hearer may perceive his moral visage in God's Word. This faithful portraiture of man's soul…Read the comment
Topics related to James 1:23
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on James 1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
American Standard Version — 1901 — Public Domain
Commentaries