English Standard Version
James 1:14
14But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.
James 1:14 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
- New International Version (NIV)but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.
- New King James Version (NKJV)But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.
Context of James 1:14
12Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 13Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. 16Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.
Read all of James 1James 1:14 word by word
ἕκαστος δὲ πειράζεται ὑπὸ τῆς ἰδίας ἐπιθυμίας ἐξελκόμενος καὶ δελεαζόμενος·Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- Butδέde · thenG1161
- every manἕκαστοςhekastos · eachG1538
- is temptedπειράζωpeirazō · to test/tempt: temptG3985
- when he is drawn awayἐξέλκωexelkō · to drag out/awayG1828
- ofὑπόhupo · by/under: byG5259
- his ownἴδιοςidios · one's own/privateG2398
- lustἐπιθυμίαepithumia · desireG1939
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- enticedδελεάζωdeleazō · to enticeG1185
Cross-references for James 1:14
- James 4:1What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?
- Genesis 6:5The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
- Genesis 8:21And when the Lord smelled the pleasing aroma, the Lord said in his heart, "I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man's heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done.
- Joshua 7:21when I saw among the spoil a beautiful cloak from Shinar, and 200 shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing 50 shekels, then I coveted them and took them. And see, they are hidden in the earth inside my tent, with the silver underneath."
- 2 Samuel 11:2It happened, late one afternoon, when David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king's house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful.
- 1 Kings 21:2And after this Ahab said to Naboth, "Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a vegetable garden, because it is near my house, and I will give you a better vineyard for it; or, if it seems good to you, I will give you its value in money."
- Job 31:9"If my heart has been enticed toward a woman, and I have lain in wait at my neighbor's door,
- Job 31:27and my heart has been secretly enticed, and my mouth has kissed my hand,
- Proverbs 4:23Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
- Isaiah 44:20He feeds on ashes; a deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, "Is there not a lie in my right hand?"
- Hosea 13:9He destroys you, O Israel, for you are against me, against your helper.
- Matthew 5:28But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
- Matthew 15:18But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.
- Mark 7:21For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,
- Mark 7:22coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.
- Romans 7:11For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me.
Commentaries on James 1:14
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 14But every man is tempted - Successfully solicited to sin, when he is drawn away of his own lust - when, giving way to the evil propensity of his own heart, he does that to which he is solicited by the enemy of his soul. Among the rabbins we find some fine sayings on this subject. In Midrash hanaalam, fol. 20, and Yalcut Rubeni, fol. 17, it is said: "This is the custom of evil concupiscence, הרע יצר yetser hara : To-day it saith, Do this; to-morrow…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 14But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust - That is, the fountain or source of all temptation is in man himself. It is true that external inducements to sin may be placed before him, but they would have no force if there was not something in himself to which they corresponded, and over which they might have power. There must be some “lust;” some desire; some inclination; something which is unsatisfied now, which is made the…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 12-18Verses 12-18 It is not every man who suffers, that is blessed; but he who with patience and constancy goes through all difficulties in the way of duty. Afflictions cannot make us miserable, if it be not our own fault. The tried Christian shall be a crowned one. The crown of life is promised to all who have the love of God reigning in their hearts. Every soul that truly loves God, shall have its trials in this world fully recompensed in that world above…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 14Desires can work like hooks used for fishing or traps set up for hunting. These desires tempt (or lure) us to do wrong things and pull us away from being faithful to God.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1414. Every man, when tempted, is so through being drawn away of (again here, as in Jas 1:13, the Greek for "of" expresses the actual source, rather than the agent of temptation) his own lust. The cause of sin is in ourselves. Even Satan's suggestions do not endanger us before they are made our own. Each one has his own peculiar (so the Greek) lust, arising from his own temperament and habit. Lust flows from the original birth-sin in man, inherited from…Read the comment
Topics related to James 1:14
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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries