God’s Word Translation
James 4:17
17Whoever knows what is right but doesn’t do it is sinning.
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.
- English Standard Version (ESV)So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.
Context of James 4:17
15Instead, you should say, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and carry out our plans.” 16However, you brag because you’re arrogant. All such bragging is evil. Whoever knows what is right but doesn’t do it is sinning.
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 12:47“The servant who knew what his master wanted but didn’t get ready to do it will receive a hard beating.
- John 9:41Jesus told them, “If you were blind, you wouldn’t be sinners. But now you say, ‘We see,’ so you continue to be sinners.
- John 13:17If you understand all of this, you are blessed whenever you follow my example.
- John 15:22If I hadn’t come and spoken to them, they wouldn’t have any sin. But now they have no excuse for their sin.
- Romans 1:20From the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly observed in what he made. As a result, people have no excuse.
- Romans 2:17You call yourself a Jew, rely on the laws in Moses’ Teachings, brag about your God,
- Romans 7:13Now, did something good cause my death? That’s unthinkable! Rather, my death was caused by sin so that sin would be recognized for what it is. Through a commandment sin became more sinful than ever.
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
Topics related to James 4:17
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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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