James 1:23

For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror,

BSB

Parallel translations

4 additional translations

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KJV

For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

ASV

For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a mirror:

YLT

because, if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, this one hath been like to a man viewing his natural face in a mirror,

DBT

For if any man be a hearer of [the] word and not a doer, he is like to a man considering his natural face in a mirror:

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Commentary voices

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Voices7

On this verse

The second benefit of keeping the commandments of God is the understanding of the sacred Scriptures. Gregory says that "by hearing God's precepts the disciples were not illuminated, but by doing them they were illuminated"; because not the hearers of the law only, but the …

Bonaventure· Collationes de Decem Praeceptis, Collation 1, 1257patristic

Related commentary

But if any man be a hearer of the word, and not a doer,.... The Arabic version here again reads, "a hearer of the law", and so some copies; not hearing, but practice, is the main thing; not theory, but action: hence, says R.

John Gill· Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748)reformed

For if any be ... - The ground of the comparison in these verses is obvious. The apostle refers to what all persons experience, the fact that we do not retain a distinct impression of ourselves after we have looked in a mirror. While actually looking in the mirror, we see all our features, and can trace them distinctly; when we turn away, the image and the impression both vanish.

Albert Barnes· Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)evangelical

As a man may behold his natural face in a mirror, so the hearer may perceive his moral visage in God's Word. This faithful portraiture of man's soul in Scripture, is the strongest proof of the truth of the latter. In it, too, we see mirrored God's glory, as well as our natural vileness.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown· Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, 1871reformed

And every perfect gift - Whatever tends to glory. Descendeth from the Father of lights - The appellation of Father is here used with peculiar propriety. It follows, "he begat us." He is the Father of all light, material or spiritual, in the kingdom of grace and of glory.

John Wesley· Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament, 1755evangelical

As a looking-glass shows us the spots and defilements upon our faces, that they may be remedied and washed off, so the word of God shows us our sins, that we may repent of them and get them pardoned; it shows us what is amiss, that it may be amended. There are glasses that will flatter people; but that which is truly the word of God is no flattering glass.

Matthew Henry· Commentary on the Whole Bible, 1710puritan

The character by which our author desires to be known: James, a servant of God, and of the Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was a prime-minister in Christ's kingdom, yet he styles himself only a servant. Note hence, Those who are highest in office or attainments in the church of Christ are but servants.

Matthew Henry· Commentary on the Whole Bible, 1710puritan

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Cross-references

15 linked verses

The verses this one reaches12

Matthew 7:26–27
But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.
2 Corinthians 3:18
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
James 2:14–26
What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Ezekiel 33:31–32
So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain.
Luke 6:47
I will show you what he is like who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them:
Jeremiah 44:16
“As for the word you have spoken to us in the name of the LORD, we will not listen to you!
1 Corinthians 13:12
Now we see but a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
Luke 8:5
“A farmer went out to sow his seed. And as he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, where it was trampled, and the birds of the air devoured it.
James 1:25
But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom, and continues to do so—not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer—he will be blessed in what he does.
Matthew 20:16
So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
Luke 8:12
The seeds along the path are those who hear, but the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.
John 3:20
Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.

3 more linked verses are grouped by book below ↓

Cross-references

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The quotation web

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Around this verse

Word doors

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

Featured studies

Featured studyJames — the Study GuideThis study walks through this verse.

About this book

The Feeding of the Multitude — Gustave Doré (engraving, public domain)

James — The Lord's brother writes to the twelve tribes scattered abroad — five chapters of direct, practical wisdom on the life faith produces. Pure religion, the tongue, the prayer of the righteous.

Canon: New Testament
Author: James the Lord's brother (traditional — cf. Gal 1:19), leader of the Jerusalem church
Date: Early — possibly mid-40s AD, making it likely the earliest NT letter

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
Luke 6:47
I will show you what he is like who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them:
leads to
- James 1:22–25
  Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves.
- Matthew 7:24–27
  Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
- Luke 11:28
  But He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
- John 14:15
  If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
- James 4:17
  Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin.
Through
Jeremiah 44:16
“As for the word you have spoken to us in the name of the LORD, we will not listen to you!
leads to
- Luke 19:27
  And these enemies of mine who were unwilling for me to rule over them, bring them here and slay them in front of me.’”
- Job 21:14–15
  Yet they say to God: ‘Leave us alone! For we have no desire to know Your ways.
- Exodus 5:2
  But Pharaoh replied, “Who is the LORD that I should obey His voice and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and I will not let Israel go.”

The whole web at once: see the Arc.

Where the connections lead

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