James 1 summary meaning ai explained commentary

James 1 meaning explained in AI Summary

James 1 sets the stage for the entire book, emphasizing the importance of living out one's faith through action.

Key themes and points:

Facing Trials with Joy (v. 2-4): Christians should welcome trials as opportunities for spiritual growth and the development of perseverance.
Seeking Wisdom (v. 5-8): God generously grants wisdom to those who ask in faith, without doubting.
Humility and Riches (v. 9-11): Both the rich and the poor should boast in God, recognizing that earthly status is fleeting.
The Source of Temptation (v. 12-15): Temptation doesn't come from God but from our own desires, which lead to sin and ultimately death.
God's Good Gifts (v. 16-18): Every good and perfect gift comes from God, including our new life in Christ.
Being Doers of the Word (v. 19-27): True faith is demonstrated through action, not just words. This includes controlling anger, caring for the needy, and resisting worldly influences.

Overall, James 1 calls believers to:

Persevere through trials with joy.
Seek wisdom from God.
Remain humble regardless of circumstances.
Resist temptation and pursue righteousness.
Live out their faith through concrete actions.

This chapter serves as a foundation for the rest of James' letter, which further explores the practical implications of living out genuine faith in everyday life.

James 1 bible study ai commentary

James chapter 1 establishes the foundational theme for the entire epistle: genuine faith is not a passive belief but an active, enduring reality that is tested by trials and demonstrated through obedience. It calls believers to see hardship as a tool for spiritual maturity, to seek divine wisdom with unwavering trust, and to live out the "word of truth" by controlling their speech, caring for the vulnerable, and maintaining personal holiness. Faith must work.

James 1 Context

The author is traditionally identified as James, the brother of Jesus and a prominent leader in the Jerusalem church. The letter is addressed to "the twelve tribes in the Dispersion," indicating Jewish Christians scattered throughout the Roman Empire. The writing style is highly practical and authoritative, resembling Old Testament wisdom literature (like Proverbs) and shows profound parallels with Jesus' teachings, especially the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). It emphasizes orthopraxy (correct practice) over orthodoxy (correct doctrine), though correct practice flows from a correct understanding of God.

James 1:1

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.

In-depth-analysis

Servant: The Greek word is doulos, meaning "slave." James, the brother of the Lord, doesn't claim authority from his family relationship but from his complete submission to God and Jesus Christ. This is a position of humility and absolute dedication.
Of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ: This phrasing places Jesus on the same level as God the Father, a high Christology that asserts Christ's divinity.
Twelve Tribes in the Dispersion: "Dispersion" or Diaspora refers to Jews living outside of Palestine. By addressing them as "twelve tribes," James identifies the Christian church as the true, spiritual Israel, the fulfillment of God's covenant people.

Bible references

Galatians 1:19: '...but I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother.' (Identifies the author).
Romans 1:1: 'Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle...' (Shows doulos was a common self-identifier for apostles).
1 Peter 1:1: 'To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia...' (Similar audience and context).

Cross references

Gal 2:9 (James as a pillar), Tit 1:1 (Paul as a doulos), Acts 15:13-21 (James' leadership role).

James 1:2-4

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

In-depth-analysis

Count it all joy: This is a command to make a deliberate evaluation. Joy here is not a fleeting emotion but a deep confidence in God's sovereign purpose within suffering.
Trials of various kinds: The Greek word peirasmos can mean both external "trials" and internal "temptations." Here, the context points to external hardships that test faith.
Testing of your faith: Trials are not meaningless; they are diagnostic, revealing the genuineness of one's faith.
Produces steadfastness: Faith, when tested, develops hupomonē—steadfast endurance or perseverance, not passive resignation but active patience.
Perfect and complete: The goal is spiritual maturity, teleios, which means full-grown, finished, or having reached its intended purpose. It signifies a well-rounded, whole character.

Bible references

Romans 5:3-4: '...we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character...' (Direct parallel of the process: suffering -> endurance -> maturity).
1 Peter 1:6-7: '...you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith... may be found to result in praise and glory...' (Trials purify faith like fire purifies gold).
Hebrews 12:11: 'For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness...' (Discipline and trials serve a sanctifying purpose).

Cross references

Mat 5:10-12 (rejoicing in persecution), Phil 3:12-15 (striving for maturity), Job 23:10 (being tested like gold).

Polemics: This teaching directly counters hedonistic philosophies (that pleasure is the chief good) and fatalistic beliefs (that suffering is meaningless). It reframes pain as purposeful and developmental in the context of faith.

James 1:5-8

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

In-depth-analysis

Wisdom: This isn't just intellectual knowledge, but the divine skill for living a godly life, especially amidst the trials just mentioned (v. 2-4).
Gives generously... without reproach: God's giving nature is contrasted with human reluctance. He gives freely without finding fault or scolding the asker for their need.
Doubting: The Greek diakrinō means to be divided or to hesitate between two opinions. It's a wavering of allegiance and trust.
Wave of the sea: A powerful image of instability. A doubting person has no internal anchor and is controlled by external circumstances.
Double-minded: A dipsychos man has a divided heart, trying to trust both God and the world. He has a fractured loyalty and is therefore unstable in everything he does.

Bible references

1 Kings 3:9: 'Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil...' (Solomon asks for wisdom, and God grants it lavishly).
Proverbs 2:6: 'For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.' (God as the source of all wisdom).
Matthew 7:7: 'Ask, and it will be given to you...' (Jesus' promise that God answers prayer).
Matthew 6:24: 'No one can serve two masters...' (The core concept behind being "double-minded").

Cross references

Eph 1:17 (prayer for wisdom), 1 Jn 5:14-15 (confidence in asking), Mark 11:24 (asking in faith), 1 Kgs 18:21 (Elijah rebuking Israel's wavering).

Polemics: This passage confronts a lack of trust in God's goodness, particularly the suspicion that God is stingy or reluctant to help His people. It also rebukes syncretism or a half-hearted faith that wants God's benefits without full commitment.

James 1:9-11

Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

In-depth-analysis

Lowly brother boast in his exaltation: In Christ, the poor and socially insignificant believer is exalted to the status of a child of God, an eternal heir. This is their true status and source of glory.
The rich in his humiliation: The rich believer must find his "boast" in recognizing the temporary nature of his wealth and his ultimate dependence on God, just like the poor. His humility is his glory.
Flower of the grass: A common Old Testament metaphor for the fleeting nature of human life and earthly glories when compared to God's eternal word.
Scorching heat: A specific reference to the hot east wind (kausōn) of the Middle East that can quickly desiccate vegetation.

Bible references

Isaiah 40:6-8: 'All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field... but the word of our God will stand forever.' (The direct source for the metaphor).
Luke 1:52: '[He has] lifted up the humble; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.' (The "Great Reversal" theme central to the Gospel).
Matthew 6:19-21: 'Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth... but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven...' (Teaches the temporary nature of earthly wealth vs. eternal realities).

Cross references

1 Cor 1:26-29 (God choosing the lowly), Ps 103:15-16 (man's life like grass), 1 Tim 6:17 (warning the rich not to be arrogant).

James 1:12

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

In-depth-analysis

Blessed is the man: Echoes the structure of the Psalms (Ps 1:1) and Jesus' Beatitudes (Matt 5:3-11), identifying a person in a state of divine favor.
Steadfast under trial: Revisits the theme from verses 2-4 (hupomonē and peirasmos). The blessing is for the one who endures, not the one who avoids trials.
Stood the test: The Greek dokimos means approved, having been tested and found genuine.
Crown of life: The "crown" (stephanos) here is not a royal diadem but the victor's wreath given to a triumphant athlete. It symbolizes eternal life and victory, the reward for faithfulness.
To those who love him: Endurance is not motivated by sheer grit, but by a love relationship with God. Love for God is the fuel for perseverance.

Bible references

Revelation 2:10: 'Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.' (Directly links faithfulness through persecution with this reward).
2 Timothy 4:8: '...there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness... for all who have loved his appearing.' (Another "crown" for faithful endurance).
Romans 8:28: '...we know that for those who love God all things work together for good...' (The foundational belief that allows one to endure trials).

Cross references

1 Cor 9:25 (imperishable crown), 1 Pet 5:4 (crown of glory), Mat 10:22 (he who endures to the end will be saved).

James 1:13-15

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

In-depth-analysis

God tempts no one: A crucial theological clarification. While God tests faith with external trials (v. 2), He never tempts or entices a person to commit evil. His nature is holy and incompatible with evil.
Tempted by his own desire: The source of temptation is internal. James uses a hunting/fishing metaphor: desire (epithymia - strong lust or craving) acts as the lure that baits the trap.
Conceived... gives birth... fully grown... brings forth death: James portrays sin as a life cycle or a monstrous birth. Desire conceives with our consent, gives birth to the act of sin, and the mature result of sin is always spiritual and eternal death.

Bible references

Genesis 3:6: '...the woman saw that the tree was good for food... a delight to the eyes, and... to be desired to make one wise...' (The archetypal process of desire leading to sin).
Romans 6:23: 'For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.' (Sin's outcome is death).
Matthew 5:28: 'But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.' (Jesus teaches that sin begins with internal desire).

Cross references

Prov 4:23 (guarding the heart), Rom 7:8-11 (sin seizing an opportunity through the commandment), 1 Jn 2:16 (lust of flesh, lust of eyes, pride).

Polemics: This is a direct refutation of any theology that makes God the author of evil or shifts the blame for human sin away from human desire and will. It counters Gnostic ideas that sin originates from an evil, creator God.

James 1:16-18

Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

In-depth-analysis

Every good... and every perfect gift: In stark contrast to the death that comes from human desire (v. 15), every good thing in existence originates from God.
Father of lights: God is the creator of the heavenly bodies (sun, moon, stars), which are constant and predictable.
No variation or shadow due to change: Unlike the celestial bodies that have shadows and phases, God is absolutely unchanging and consistently good. There is no dark side, no fluctuation in his character. The Greek for "variation" is parallagē.
He brought us forth: This describes regeneration or the new birth. It's an act of God's will (boulētheis).
By the word of truth: The Gospel is the agent of our new birth. It's the life-giving message.
Firstfruits of his creatures: "Firstfruits" were the first and best portion of the harvest dedicated to God. Believers are the beginning of God's new creation, a pledge of the full redemption to come.

Bible references

Genesis 1:3-4, 14-18: '...God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light... God saw that the light was good.' (God as the creator of light and all good things).
1 John 1:5: '...God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.' (The unchangeable, pure character of God).
1 Peter 1:23: '...you have been born again... through the living and abiding word of God.' (The Word as the means of regeneration).
Revelation 14:4: '...it is these who have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb.' (Believers as a special, consecrated portion).

Cross references

Mat 7:11 (earthly fathers give good gifts), Mal 3:6 (I the LORD do not change), John 3:3 (must be born again), Eph 1:13-14 (sealed with the Spirit as a guarantee).

James 1:19-21

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

In-depth-analysis

Quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger: A triad of commands for wise communication and emotional self-control. This posture is essential for receiving God's word (v. 21) and living peacefully in community.
Anger of man: Human anger, driven by pride, impatience, and self-interest, is impotent and often counter-productive to achieving God's purposes.
The righteousness of God: This is God's standard of right living and the right relationship with Him, which cannot be produced by human wrath.
Put away all filthiness: Like taking off dirty clothes before putting on clean ones, believers must actively discard sinful attitudes and behaviors.
Receive with meekness: Meekness is not weakness, but a humble and teachable spirit, ready to accept and submit to God's Word.
The implanted word: The Gospel is not just an external message; it is a seed planted within the believer's soul with the inherent power to grow and save.

Bible references

Proverbs 17:27: 'Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.' (OT wisdom parallel for self-control in speech).
Ephesians 4:26: 'Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.' (Recognizes righteous anger is possible but warns against its sinful expression).
Colossians 3:8: 'But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.' (The "putting off" metaphor for sin).
Matthew 13:23: 'As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit...' (The Parable of the Sower, where the word is sown in the heart).

Cross references

Prov 29:11 (a fool gives full vent to his spirit), Eccl 7:9 (don't be quick in spirit to be angry), 1 Thess 2:13 (receiving the word of God), 1 Pet 2:1-2 (putting away evil and longing for the pure milk of the word).

James 1:22-25

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 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. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law of liberty and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

In-depth-analysis

Doers... not hearers only: This is the central thesis of the entire book of James. Hearing God's Word without obeying it is self-delusion.
The Mirror Analogy: The Word of God acts as a mirror, revealing our true spiritual state—our flaws and sin included. A mere "hearer" glances at this revelation but does nothing about it, immediately forgetting the truth.
Looks into: The Greek word, parakyptō, implies stooping down to look carefully and intently, not a casual glance.
Perfect law of liberty: This is the Gospel/Word of God. It is "perfect" because it comes from a perfect God, and a "law of liberty" because true obedience to Christ liberates a person from sin, not enslaves them to rules.
He will be blessed in his doing: The blessing is not for the "doing" but is experienced in the process of obedient living.

Bible references

Matthew 7:24-27: '...everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.' (Jesus' Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders is the ultimate parallel).
Romans 2:13: 'For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.' (Paul makes a similar point regarding the Mosaic Law).
2 Corinthians 3:18: 'And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image...' (A similar mirror analogy, but with the result of transformation through beholding Christ).

Cross references

Ezek 33:31-32 (people who hear but do not obey), John 13:17 (if you know these things, blessed are you if you do them), Gal 5:1 (Christ has set us free for freedom).

James 1:26-27

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

In-depth-analysis

Religious: The Greek thrēskos refers to the outward expression of religious observance or piety. James challenges superficial religiosity.
Bridle his tongue: Control of speech is presented as the primary litmus test of a person's self-control and the genuineness of their faith. An untamed tongue reveals a deceived heart.
Religion that is pure and undefiled: James gives two concrete, practical examples of true religion:
1. Positive action: Compassionate care for the most vulnerable and helpless members of society (to visit orphans and widows). This is outward-focused love.
2. Negative restraint: Maintaining personal moral and spiritual purity (keep oneself unstained from the world). This is inward-focused holiness.
Unstained from the world: "The world" (kosmos) here refers to the system of values, desires, and behaviors opposed to God.

Bible references

Matthew 23:23: '...you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness.' (Jesus condemned religious hypocrisy that focused on externals while neglecting love and justice).
Isaiah 1:17: '...learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause.' (OT call to demonstrate faith through social action).
1 John 2:15: 'Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.' (The call to separation from worldly values).

Cross references

Ps 34:13 (keep your tongue from evil), Isa 58:6-7 (the fast that God chooses is to help the poor), Matt 25:36-40 (serving Jesus by serving the needy), Deut 10:18 (God's love for the orphan and widow).

James chapter 1 analysis

The Sermon on the Mount Distilled: Much of James 1 can be seen as a practical commentary on Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. Themes of rejoicing in persecution (Matt 5:11-12), asking God for gifts (Matt 7:7), the danger of double-mindedness (Matt 6:24), and being a doer of the word (Matt 7:24-27) are all present.
Wisdom as Skill for Living: The "wisdom" James talks about is not Gnostic or mystical knowledge, but the God-given ability to navigate life's challenges in a way that produces righteousness and maturity.
"Perfect" as a Key Concept: The word "perfect" (teleios) appears in v. 4 (perfect and complete), v. 17 (every perfect gift), and v. 25 (the perfect law). The entire chapter drives toward a wholeness and maturity that comes from enduring trials, receiving God's gifts, and obeying His Word.
Faith and Works in Seed Form: While chapter 2 deals with it explicitly, chapter 1 already lays the groundwork: tested faith produces endurance (v. 3), loving God results in endurance (v. 12), and the implanted word is able to save when acted upon (v. 21-22). The "doing" is the evidence of the "being."

James 1 summary

James 1 commands believers to reframe life's trials as opportunities for joy and growth toward spiritual completeness. This requires divine wisdom, which God gives generously to those who ask with unwavering faith. True faith is proven by its source and its fruit: it stems from God, the unchangeable giver of all good things, and it results in active obedience. This obedience is demonstrated through careful speech, compassionate care for the helpless (orphans and widows), and maintaining personal holiness in a corrupt world. Hearing God's Word is useless without doing it.

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James chapter 1 kjv

¹ James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
² My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
³ Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
⁴ But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
⁵ If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
⁶ But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
⁷ For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
⁸ A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
⁹ Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:
¹⁰ But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
¹¹ For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.
¹² Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
¹³ Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
¹⁴ But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
¹⁵ Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
¹⁶ Do not err, my beloved brethren.
¹⁷ Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
¹⁸ Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
¹⁹ Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
²⁰ For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
²¹ Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
²² But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
²³ 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:
²⁴ For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
²⁵ 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.
²⁶ If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
²⁷ Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

James chapter 1 nkjv

¹ James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings.
² My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
⁴ But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
⁶ But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
⁷ For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
⁸ he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
⁹ Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation,
¹⁰ but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away.
¹¹ For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.
¹² Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
¹³ Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.
¹⁴ But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.
¹⁵ Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
¹⁶ Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.
¹⁷ Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
¹⁸ Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.
¹⁹ So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;
²⁰ for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
²¹ Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
²² But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
²³ 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;
²⁴ for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.
²⁵ 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.
²⁶ If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless.
²⁷ Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

James chapter 1 niv

¹ James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.
² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
⁶ But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
⁷ That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
⁸ Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
⁹ Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.
¹⁰ But the rich should take pride in their humiliation?since they will pass away like a wild flower.
¹¹ For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.
¹² Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
¹³ When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;
¹⁴ but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.
¹⁵ Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
¹⁶ Don't be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters.
¹⁷ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
¹⁸ He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
¹⁹ My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
²⁰ because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
²¹ Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
²² Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
²³ Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror
²⁴ and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
²⁵ 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.
²⁶ Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.
²⁷ Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

James chapter 1 esv

¹ James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.
² Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
³ for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
⁴ And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
⁶ But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
⁷ For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
⁸ he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
⁹ Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation,
¹⁰ and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away.
¹¹ For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
¹² Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
¹³ Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.
¹⁴ But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.
¹⁵ Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
¹⁶ Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.
¹⁷ Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
¹⁸ Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
¹⁹ Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;
²⁰ for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
²¹ Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
²² But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
²³ 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.
²⁴ For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.
²⁵ 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.
²⁶ If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.
²⁷ Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

James chapter 1 nlt

¹ This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing to the "twelve tribes" ? Jewish believers scattered abroad. Greetings!
² Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
³ For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.
⁴ So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
⁵ If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.
⁶ But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.
⁷ Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
⁸ Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.
⁹ Believers who are poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them.
¹⁰ And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field.
¹¹ The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements.
¹² God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
¹³ And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, "God is tempting me." God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else.
¹⁴ Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.
¹⁵ These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.
¹⁶ So don't be misled, my dear brothers and sisters.
¹⁷ Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.
¹⁸ He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.
¹⁹ Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.
²⁰ Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.
²¹ So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.
²² But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.
²³ For if you listen to the word and don't obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror.
²⁴ You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.
²⁵ 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.
²⁶ If you claim to be religious but don't control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.
²⁷ Pure 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.