Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror New Living Translation For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. English Standard Version For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. Berean Standard Bible For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, Berean Literal Bible because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, this one is like a man looking at his natural face in a mirror, King James Bible 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: New King James Version For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; New American Standard Bible For 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; NASB 1995 For 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; NASB 1977 For 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; Legacy Standard Bible For 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; Amplified Bible For if anyone only listens to the word without obeying it, he is like a man who looks very carefully at his natural face in a mirror; Christian Standard Bible Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like someone looking at his own face in a mirror. Holman Christian Standard Bible Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man looking at his own face in a mirror. American Standard Version 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: Contemporary English Version If you hear the message and don't obey it, you are like people who stare at themselves in a mirror English Revised Version 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: GOD'S WORD® Translation If someone listens to God's word but doesn't do what it says, he is like a person who looks at his face in a mirror, Good News Translation If you listen to the word, but do not put it into practice you are like people who look in a mirror and see themselves as they are. International Standard Version For if anyone hears the word but is not obedient to it, he is like a man who looks at himself in a mirror Majority Standard Bible For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, NET Bible For if someone merely listens to the message and does not live it out, he is like someone who gazes at his own face in a mirror. New Heart English Bible For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like someone looking at his natural face in a mirror; Webster's Bible Translation For if any is a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like a man beholding his natural face in a glass: Weymouth New Testament For if any one listens but does not obey, he is like a man who carefully looks at his own face in a mirror. World English Bible For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man looking at his natural face in a mirror; Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionbecause, if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, this one has been like to a man viewing his natural face in a mirror, Berean Literal Bible because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, this one is like a man looking at his natural face in a mirror, Young's Literal Translation 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, Smith's Literal Translation For if any is a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like a man observing the face of his creation in a mirror: Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleFor if a man be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he shall be compared to a man beholding his own countenance in a glass. Catholic Public Domain Version For if anyone is a listener of the Word, but not also a doer, he is comparable to a man gazing into a mirror upon the face that he was born with; New American Bible For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his own face in a mirror. New Revised Standard Version For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleFor if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like a man who sees his face in a mirror; Aramaic Bible in Plain English For if a man will be a hearer of the word and not a doer of it, this one is like one who sees his face in a mirror, NT Translations Anderson New TestamentFor if any one is a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like a man that looks at his natural face in a mirror: Godbey New Testament For if any one is a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like a man beholding his natural face in a mirror: Haweis New Testament For if any man be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like a man that looks at his natural face in a glass; Mace New Testament for a bare auditor without practice is like one who sees his image form'd by a mirror: Weymouth New Testament For if any one listens but does not obey, he is like a man who carefully looks at his own face in a mirror. Worrell New Testament Because, if anyone is a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like a man beholding his natural face in a mirror; Worsley New Testament For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like a man beholding his natural face in a mirror, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Hearing and Doing…22Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves. 23For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, 24and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.… Cross References 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. / The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock. / 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. ... Luke 6:46-49 Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ but do not do what I say? / I will show you what he is like who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them: / He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid his foundation on the rock. When the flood came, the torrent crashed against that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. ... Romans 2:13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but it is the doers of the law who will be declared righteous. 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. Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart. John 13:17 If you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. Matthew 13:20-21 The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. / But since he has no root, he remains for only a season. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. 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. / Indeed, you are to them like a singer of love songs with a beautiful voice, who skillfully plays an instrument. They hear your words but do not put them into practice. Psalm 119:59 I considered my ways and turned my steps to Your testimonies. Proverbs 27:19 As water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the true man. 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. 2 Timothy 3:7 who are always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. Matthew 25:1-13 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. / Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. / The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take along any extra oil. ... Isaiah 29:13 Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men. Jeremiah 23:29 “Is not My word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that smashes a rock?” Treasury of Scripture For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like to a man beholding his natural face in a glass: See on ch. James 2:14-26 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? … Jeremiah 44:16 As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the LORD, we will not hearken unto thee. Ezekiel 33:31,32 And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness… Jump to Previous Beholding Carefully Considering Doer Face Glass Hearer Listens Mirror Natural Obey Viewing WordJump to Next Beholding Carefully Considering Doer Face Glass Hearer Listens Mirror Natural Obey Viewing WordJames 1 1. James greets the twelve tribes among the nations;2. exhorts to rejoice in trials and temptations; 5. to ask patience of God; 13. and in our trials not to impute our weakness, or sins, to him, 19. but rather to hearken to the word, to meditate on it, and to do thereafter. 26. Otherwise men may seem, but never be, truly religious. For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out This phrase emphasizes the importance of not only hearing God's word but also acting upon it. In the Jewish tradition, hearing and doing were closely linked, as seen in the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-9), which calls for both listening and obedience. The New Testament frequently stresses the necessity of living out one's faith (Matthew 7:24-27; Luke 6:46-49). The concept of faith without works being dead is further elaborated in James 2:14-26, underscoring the idea that genuine faith results in action. is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror Persons / Places / Events 1. JamesThe author of the epistle, traditionally identified as James, the brother of Jesus. He was a leader in the early Jerusalem church and wrote to Jewish Christians scattered abroad. 2. Mirror A metaphor used by James to illustrate self-examination and reflection. In the ancient world, mirrors were typically made of polished metal, providing a less clear reflection than modern glass mirrors. 3. The Word Refers to the teachings and commandments of God as revealed in Scripture. It is the divine truth that believers are called to hear and obey. Teaching Points The Importance of ActionHearing the Word is not enough; it must be accompanied by action. True faith is demonstrated through obedience and application of God's teachings in daily life. Self-Examination Just as a mirror reveals physical imperfections, the Word of God reveals spiritual shortcomings. Believers are called to examine themselves honestly and make necessary changes. Transformation through the Word The ultimate goal of looking into the "mirror" of God's Word is transformation. Believers should strive to reflect the character of Christ more accurately. Avoiding Self-Deception It is easy to deceive oneself by merely listening to the Word without acting on it. True discipleship requires a commitment to live out the teachings of Scripture. Consistency in Practice Regular engagement with the Word and consistent application in life leads to spiritual growth and maturity. Believers should cultivate habits that reinforce their faith.(23) He is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass.--The Apostle points grimly to an example of this self-deception. He (literally, this) is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a mirror. Not a "glass," but a mirror of polished steel, such as are still used in the East. "His natural face," or the face of his birth--the real appearance, that is, which the reflection of the Word of God, properly looked into, will afford the inquirer.Verses 23, 24. - Illustration from life, showing the folly of being led astray. His natural face (τὸ πρόσωπον τῆς γενέσεως αὐτοῦ); literally, the face of his birth. The expression is an unusual one, but there is no doubt of its meaning. In a glass; rather, in a mirror, ἐν ἐσόπτρῳ: cf. 1 Corinthians 13:12, Δἰ ἐσόπτρου. The mirror of burnished brass. Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Forὅτι (hoti) Conjunction Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. anyone τις (tis) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object. who hears ἀκροατὴς (akroatēs) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 202: A hearer of, a listener to. From akroaomai; a hearer. [the] word λόγου (logou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 3056: From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression. but καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. does not carry it out ποιητής (poiētēs) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 4163: (a) a maker, poet, (b) a doer, carrier out, performer. From poieo; a performer; specially, a 'poet'. is like ἔοικεν (eoiken) Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1503: To be like, resemble. Apparently a primary verb; to resemble. a man [who] ἀνδρὶ (andri) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular Strong's 435: A male human being; a man, husband. A primary word; a man. looks κατανοοῦντι (katanoounti) Verb - Present Participle Active - Dative Masculine Singular Strong's 2657: To take note of, perceive, consider carefully, discern, detect, make account of. From kata and noieo; to observe fully. at his αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. face πρόσωπον (prosōpon) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular Strong's 4383: From pros and ops; the front, i.e. The countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person. in ἐν (en) Preposition Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. a mirror, ἐσόπτρῳ (esoptrō) Noun - Dative Neuter Singular Strong's 2072: A mirror, looking-glass (made of highly polished metal). From eis and a presumed derivative of optanomai; a mirror. Links James 1:23 NIVJames 1:23 NLT James 1:23 ESV James 1:23 NASB James 1:23 KJV James 1:23 BibleApps.com James 1:23 Biblia Paralela James 1:23 Chinese Bible James 1:23 French Bible James 1:23 Catholic Bible NT Letters: James 1:23 For if anyone is a hearer (Ja Jas. Jam) |
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