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 you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 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. 26If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. 27Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.

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 14:15Only simpletons believe everything they’re told! The prudent carefully consider their steps.
• Isaiah 8:20Look to God’s instructions and teachings! People who contradict his word are completely in the dark.
• 2 Corinthians 13:5Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith.
• Hebrews 12:15Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.
• James 2:12So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free.
• Psalms 19:7The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
• Psalms 119:32I will pursue your commands, for you expand my understanding.
• Romans 7:12But still, the law itself is holy, and its commands are holy and right and good.
• John 8:32And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
• Romans 8:15So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”
• 2 Corinthians 3:17For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
• Galatians 5:1So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.
• 1 Peter 2:16For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil.
• 1 Samuel 12:14“Now if you fear and worship the Lord and listen to his voice, and if you do not rebel against the Lord’s commands, then both you and your king will show that you recognize the Lord as your God.
• John 8:31Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.
• John 15:9“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain 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