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

23For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; 24for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. 26If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. 27Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the 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

• But one who looksπαρακύπτωparakuptō · to stoopG3879
• at the perfectτέλειοςteleios · perfectG5046
• lawνόμοςnomos · lawG3551
• of libertyἐλευθερίαeleutheria · freedomG1657
• and abidesπαραμένωparamenō · to continueG3887
• by it, not having becomeγίνομαιginomai · to beG1096
• a forgetfulἐπιλησμονήepilēsmonē · forgetfulnessG1953
• hearerἀκροατήςakroatēs · hearerG202
• an effectualἔργονergon · workG2041
• doerποιητήςpoiētēs · doerG4163
• thisοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• blessedμακάριοςmakarios · blessedG3107
• whatποίησιςpoiēsis · he didG4162

Cross-references for James 1:25

• Proverbs 14:15The naive believes everything, But the sensible man considers his steps.
• Isaiah 8:20To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn.
• 2 Corinthians 13:5Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you--unless indeed you fail the test?
• Hebrews 12:15See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;
• James 2:12So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty.
• Psalms 19:7The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
• Psalms 119:32I shall run the way of Your commandments, For You will enlarge my heart.
• Romans 7:12So then, 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 make you free.”
• Romans 8:15For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!”
• 2 Corinthians 3:17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
• Galatians 5:1It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.
• 1 Peter 2:16Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God.
• 1 Samuel 12:14If you will fear the Lord and serve Him, and listen to His voice and not rebel against the command of the Lord, then both you and also the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God.
• John 8:31So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;
• John 15:9Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also 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

• 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