James 4:17 BSB — MannaFest

James 4:17

Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin.

BSB

Parallel translations (2) ▾

ASV

To him therefore that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

KJV

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

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Commentary

3 voices

Albert Barnes

1798–1870

Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)

Therefore 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 future.

The record, by era

The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice

John Wesley

1703–1791

Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament (1755)

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not - That knows what is right, and does not practice it. To him it is sin - This knowledge does not prevent, but increase, his condemnation.

The Nineteenth Century1 voice

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

1802–1910

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)

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.

Voices on this verse

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Original language & word study

10 tagged words

Original	Transliteration	Meaning	Word study
εἰδότι	eidoti	To [him] knowing
οὖν	oun	therefore	G3767 →
καλὸν	kalon	good	G2570 →
ποιεῖν	poiein	to do	G4160 →
καὶ	kai	and	G2532 →
μὴ	mē	not	G3361 →
ποιοῦντι,	poiounti	doing [it],	G4160 →
ἁμαρτία	hamartia	sin	G266 →
αὐτῷ	autō	to him	G846 →
ἐστιν.¶	estin	it is.	G1510 →

Rare words are the text's own signal of a deliberate thread: the fewer the occurrences, the more the places it appears belong together.

The walk

The walk8

Where the connections lead

Follow this verse’s cross-references two steps out. Each card is a verse this one points to, and beneath it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several different paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it. Every stop shows its own words, and every stop is a page.

Through
2 Peter 2:21
It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than to have known it and then to turn away from the holy commandment passed on to them.
leads to
- Ezekiel 18:24
  But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and practices iniquity, committing the same abominations as the wicked, will he live? None of the righteous acts he did will be remembered. Because of…
- Hebrews 6:4–6
  It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit,
- Ezekiel 3:20
  Now if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I put a stumbling block before him, he will die. If you did not warn him, he will die in his…
- Luke 12:47
  That servant who knows his master’s will but does not get ready or follow his instructions will be beaten with many blows.
Through
John 15:22
If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin.
leads to
- John 9:41
  “If you were blind,” Jesus replied, “you would not be guilty of sin. But since you claim you can see, your guilt remains.”
Through
John 9:41
“If you were blind,” Jesus replied, “you would not be guilty of sin. But since you claim you can see, your guilt remains.”
leads to
- Isaiah 5:21
  Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.
- John 15:22–24
  If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin.
Through
John 13:17
If you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
leads to
- Luke 11:28
  But He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

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Continue: James 4 →

01Commentary

The record, by era

Voices on this verse

02Original language & word study

03The walk

Where the connections lead

04Related verses

05Featured studies on this passage

06About James

The record, by era

Where the connections lead

Commentary

Original language & word study

The walk

Related verses

Featured studies on this passage

About James