English Standard Version
James 4:17
17So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
James 4:17 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
- New International Version (NIV)If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.
Context of James 4:17
15Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that." 16As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
Read all of James 4James 4:17 word by word
εἰδότι οὖν καλὸν ποιεῖν καὶ μὴ ποιοῦντι, ἁμαρτία αὐτῷ ἐστιν.¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for James 4:17
- Luke 12:47And that servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating.
- John 9:41Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, 'We see,' your guilt remains.
- John 13:17If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
- John 15:22If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.
- Romans 1:20For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
- Romans 2:17But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God
- Romans 7:13Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure.
Commentaries on James 4:17
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17To him that knoweth to do good - As if he had said: After this warning none of you can plead ignorance; if, therefore, any of you shall be found to act their ungodly part, not acknowledging the Divine providence, the uncertainty of life, and the necessity of standing every moment prepared to meet God - as you will have the greater sin, you will infallibly get the greater punishment. This may be applied to all who know better than they act. He who does not…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 17Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin - That is, he is guilty of sin if he does not do it. Cotton Mather adopted it as a principle of action, “that the ability to do good in any case imposes an obligation to do it.” The proposition in the verse before us is of a general character, but probably the apostle meant that it should refer to the point specified in the previous verses - the forming of plans respecting the…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 11-17Verses 11-17 Our lips must be governed by the law of kindness, as well as truth and justice. Christians are brethren. And to break God's commands, is to speak evil of them, and to judge them, as if they laid too great a restraint upon us. We have the law of God, which is a rule to all; let us not presume to set up our own notions and opinions as a rule to those about us, and let us be careful that we be not condemned of the Lord. "Go to now," is a call to…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 17who knows the right thing to do: this verse is probably a saying that James thought his audience would know. Its origin is unknown, but it aligns with Scripture teachings (compare Deuteronomy 24:15; Proverbs 3:27–28; Matthew 25:41–46; Luke 12:47).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1717. The general principle illustrated by the particular example just discussed is here stated: knowledge without practice is imputed to a man as great and presumptuous sin. James reverts to the principle with which he started. Nothing more injures the soul than wasted impressions. Feelings exhaust themselves and evaporate, if not embodied in practice. As we will not act except we feel, so if we will not act out our feelings, we shall soon cease to feel.Read the comment
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In the dictionaries
Commentaries on James 4
- 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
- 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
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Commentaries