James 1:25

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.
• English Standard Version (ESV)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.
• 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.

Context of James 1:25

23If someone listens to God’s word but doesn’t do what it says, he is like a person who looks at his face in a mirror, 24studies his features, goes away, and immediately forgets what he looks like. However, the person who continues to study God’s perfect laws that make people free and who remains committed to them will be blessed. People like that don’t merely listen and forget; they actually do what God’s laws say. 26If a person thinks that he is religious but can’t control his tongue, he is fooling himself. That person’s religion is worthless. 27Pure, unstained religion, according to God our Father, is to take care of orphans and widows when they suffer and to remain uncorrupted by this world.

James 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 14:15A gullible person believes anything, but a sensible person watches his step.
• Isaiah 8:20They should go to the teachings and to the written instructions. If people don’t speak these words, it is because it doesn’t dawn on them.
• 2 Corinthians 13:5Examine yourselves to see whether you are still in the Christian faith. Test yourselves! Don’t you recognize that you are people in whom Jesus Christ lives? Could it be that you’re failing the test?
• Hebrews 12:15Make sure that everyone has kindness from God so that bitterness doesn’t take root and grow up to cause trouble that corrupts many of you.
• James 2:12Talk and act as people who are going to be judged by laws that bring freedom.
• Psalms 19:7The teachings of the Lord are perfect. They renew the soul. The testimony of the Lord is dependable. It makes gullible people wise.
• Psalms 119:32I will eagerly pursue your commandments because you continue to increase my understanding.
• Romans 7:12So the laws in Moses’ Teachings are holy, and the commandment is holy, right, and good.
• John 8:32You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
• Romans 8:15You haven’t received the spirit of slaves that leads you into fear again. Instead, you have received the spirit of God’s adopted children by which we call out, “Abba! Father!”
• 2 Corinthians 3:17This Lord is the Spirit. Wherever the Lord’s Spirit is, there is freedom.
• Galatians 5:1Christ has freed us so that we may enjoy the benefits of freedom. Therefore, be firm ⌞in this freedom⌟, and don’t become slaves again.
• 1 Peter 2:16Live as free people, but don’t hide behind your freedom when you do evil. Instead, use your freedom to serve God.
• 1 Samuel 12:14If you fear the Lord, serve him, obey him, and don’t rebel against what he says, then you and your king will follow the Lord your God.
• John 8:31So Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, “If you live by what I say, you are truly my disciples.
• John 15:9“I have loved you the same way the Father has loved me. So live 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

• Character
• Decision
• Doer
• Forgetting God
• Gospel
• Hearers
• Law
• Obedience
• Parables
• Perfection
• Perseverance
• Righteous
• Stability
• Word of God
• Works

In the dictionaries

• Entice
• Fade
• Lack
• Lay
• Liberally
• Lust
• Pure
• Receive
• Religion
• Swift

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