English Standard Version
James 1:25
25But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
James 1:25 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)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.
- New International Version (NIV)But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
- New King James Version (NKJV)But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
- New Living Translation (NLT)But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
Context of James 1:25
23For 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. 24For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. 26If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. 27Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
Read all of James 1James 1:25 word by word
ὁ δὲ παρακύψας εἰς νόμον τέλειον τὸν τῆς ἐλευθερίας καὶ παραμείνας, οὐκ ἀκροατὴς ἐπιλησμονῆς γενόμενος ἀλλὰ ποιητὴς ἔργου, οὗτος μακάριος ἐν τῇ ποιήσει αὐτοῦ ἔσται.¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- Butδέde · thenG1161
- whoso lookethπαρακύπτωparakuptō · to stoopG3879
- intoεἰςeis · towardG1519
- the perfectτέλειοςteleios · perfectG5046
- lawνόμοςnomos · lawG3551
- of libertyἐλευθερίαeleutheria · freedomG1657
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- continuethπαραμένωparamenō · to continueG3887
- heοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
- beingγίνομαιginomai · to beG1096
- notοὐou · noG3756
- a forgetfulἐπιλησμονήepilēsmonē · forgetfulnessG1953
- hearerἀκροατήςakroatēs · hearerG202
- butἀλλάalla · butG235
- a doerποιητήςpoiētēs · doerG4163
- of the workἔργονergon · workG2041
- shall beεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
- blessedμακάριοςmakarios · blessedG3107
- inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
- hisαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
- deedποίησιςpoiēsis · he didG4162
Cross-references for James 1:25
- Proverbs 14:15The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.
- Isaiah 8:20To the teaching and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn.
- 2 Corinthians 13:5Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!
- Hebrews 12:15See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no "root of bitterness" springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;
- James 2:12So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty.
- Psalms 19:7The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
- Psalms 119:32I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!
- Romans 7:12So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.
- John 8:32and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
- Romans 8:15For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!"
- 2 Corinthians 3:17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
- Galatians 5:1For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
- 1 Peter 2:16Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.
- 1 Samuel 12:14If you will fear the Lord and serve him and obey his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God, it will be well.
- John 8:31So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,
- John 15:9As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.
Commentaries on James 1:25
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 25But whoso looketh into the perfect law - The word , which we translate looketh into, is very emphatic, and signifies that deep and attentive consideration given to a thing or subject which a man cannot bring up to his eyes, and therefore must bend his back and neck, stooping down, that he may see it to the greater advantage. The law of liberty must mean the Gospel; it is a law, for it imposes obligations from God, and prescribes a rule of life; and it…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 25But whoso looketh - ( ́ parakupsas). This word means, to stoop down near by anything; to bend forward near, so as to look at anything more closely. See the word explained in the notes at 1 Peter 1:12. The idea here is that of a close and attentive observation. The object is not to contrast the manner of looking in the glass, and in the law of liberty, implying that the former was a “careless beholding,” and the latter an attentive and careful looking, as…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. 25God's word gives us new life and salvation (1:18, 21). But it also requires us to follow its teachings (1:22–25).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2525. looketh into--literally, "stoopeth down to take a close look into." Peers into: stronger than "beholdeth," or "contemplated," Jas 1:24. A blessed curiosity if it be efficacious in bearing fruit [Bengel]. perfect law of liberty--the Gospel rule of life, perfect and perfecting (as shown in the Sermon on the Mount, Mt 5:48), and making us truly walk at liberty (Psa 119:32, Church of England Prayer Book Version). Christians are to aim at a higher standard…Read the comment
Topics related to James 1:25
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