James 1:15 kjv

Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

James 1:15 nkjv

Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

James 1:15 niv

Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

James 1:15 esv

Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

James 1:15 nlt

These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

James 1 verses

James 1 15 Meaning

James 1:15 succinctly describes the grim progression from a harmful inward desire to its ultimate destructive outcome: spiritual death. It illustrates a clear, inevitable chain reaction where temptation, fueled by an individual's own evil desires, takes root. When these desires are 'conceived,' they produce sin as their offspring. This initial sin, if allowed to mature and reach full development, invariably leads to death, which is a state of spiritual separation from God. The verse highlights personal accountability for sin, emphasizing that evil originates from within an individual's corrupt heart rather than from external circumstances or God.

James 1 15 Context

James 1:15 is the culmination of a clear logical argument James builds regarding the origin of evil and temptation. James chapter 1 primarily deals with enduring trials and temptations with joy and wisdom (vv. 2-8). Following this, James addresses the source of temptation directly (vv. 13-14), countering a potential misconception among his audience that God might be responsible for tempting people to do evil. The preceding verses clearly state that God is good and gives good gifts (vv. 16-18) and that temptation stems from an individual's own evil desires. Verse 15 logically extends this, demonstrating the precise process and fatal outcome when these internal desires are unchecked. It serves as a stern warning against excusing personal sin by blaming external factors or God. The historical and cultural context for the early Jewish Christian audience of James would include familiarity with Old Testament wisdom literature (like Proverbs, Psalms) that often personified abstract concepts like wisdom, sin, and death, and frequently spoke of the internal heart as the source of human action, both good and evil. They would also understand the profound impact of sin and death from the Fall narrative in Genesis. The verse could also be a subtle polemic against any Gnostic-leaning ideas that external material existence is inherently evil or that higher knowledge (gnosis) somehow exempts one from moral struggle with desire.

James 1 15 Word analysis

• Then: eita (εἶτα) - Signifies a subsequent action or a logical progression in time or causality. It emphasizes the natural and inevitable sequence of events just described regarding temptation and desire.
• when lust: hē epithumia (ἡ ἐπιθυμία) - Epithumia denotes a strong desire or craving, often, but not exclusively, for something forbidden or negative. It signifies intense passion, longing, or covetousness. In this context, it is the corrupt human desire or sinful craving that acts as the primary internal agent.
• has conceived: syllabousa (συλλαβοῦσα) - Literally "having taken together" or "to hold together." Metaphorically, it refers to the act of a female conceiving after receiving a seed, symbolizing the moment evil desire becomes pregnant with intent or possibility of sin. It implies the internal reception and assimilation of temptation.
• it gives birth to sin;: tiktei hamartian (τίκτει ἁμαρτίαν) - Tiktei means to bring forth, to bear, or give birth to (as a mother does). Hamartia (sin) signifies "missing the mark," an act of disobedience or a deviation from God's will. This phrase vividly portrays sin as the natural, inevitable offspring of a conceived, evil desire. It signifies that the internal, pregnant desire eventually manifests as an actual sinful act or state.
• and when sin: hē de hamartia (ἡ δὲ ἁμαρτία) - De (and/but) continues the narrative flow, indicating the next stage. It highlights that sin, once born, does not remain static.
• is fully grown,: apotelehthiesa (ἀποτελεσθεῖσα) - This term, derived from apoteleō, means "brought to completion," "finished," "perfected," or "matured." Here, it describes sin reaching its full maturity, potency, or development. It's not just a momentary transgression but sin allowed to persist, strengthen, or repeat.
• it brings forth death.: apokuei thanaton (ἀποκυέι θάνατον) - Apokuei is a strong verb, meaning "to give birth to at full term" or "to bring forth." It suggests the complete and definite outcome, with no possibility of abortion or reversal. Thanaton (death) here refers primarily to spiritual death—separation from God, the source of true life. It can also imply moral decay and, ultimately, eternal condemnation.

Words-group analysis:

• "When lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin": This vividly illustrates the internal, psychological process. Lust (sinful desire) isn't the sin itself, but it carries the potential. Once it "conceives" – i.e., takes hold of the imagination and intention – it then "gives birth" to the actual act of sin. This phase emphasizes the internal nature of temptation and the origin of evil.
• "When sin is fully grown, it brings forth death": This describes the destructive trajectory of actual sin. A single act of sin, if nurtured and allowed to grow unchecked (e.g., through habitual practice, lack of repentance, hardening of the heart), invariably leads to spiritual death, separation from God. This emphasizes the gravity of sin and its natural, devastating conclusion. The "full maturity" suggests not just one act, but an ongoing state or consequence.

James 1 15 Bonus section

The metaphor of conception and birth in James 1:15 underscores the organic, natural, and unavoidable consequence if the progression is not interrupted. It highlights the principle of sowing and reaping; one reaps the fruit of the seed sown. The verse implies a point of intervention: the process from desire to sin can be halted before conception, or sin itself can be repented of before it "matures" to bring forth full "death." This passage highlights a crucial truth for believers: while temptation is universal, yielding to it is a choice rooted in one's own internal lust. The antidote is found in controlling the heart, a constant theme throughout Scripture.

James 1 15 Commentary

James 1:15 reveals the dire, unavoidable process of moral corruption that stems from unchecked personal desire. It's a natural, organic progression, described with striking biological metaphors of conception, birth, and maturation. First, a forbidden desire (epithumia) lures an individual. If entertained and not resisted, this desire conceives – meaning it takes root in the mind and heart, gaining intention. This conception then inevitably gives birth to sin, translating the inward inclination into an outward action or state of disobedience against God. The warning intensifies as James declares that if this sin is allowed to mature, to become fully grown—whether by repetition, hardening of heart, or lack of repentance—it will undeniably bring forth death. This death is primarily spiritual separation from God, the very source of life, though it bears temporal consequences as well. The verse underscores absolute personal responsibility; the entire dark trajectory originates not from God or external pressure, but from the individual's own unchecked desires. It is a profound caution to address sinful desires at their earliest stage, before they develop into overt sin, and before sin reaches its destructive fruition in death.