James 1:4 kjv
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
James 1:4 nkjv
But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
James 1:4 niv
Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:4 esv
And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:4 nlt
So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
James 1 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rom 5:3-4 | ...we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope... | Suffering's product: endurance, then character |
| Heb 10:36 | For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. | Endurance needed for God's promises |
| Heb 12:1-2 | ...let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus... | Enduring the race, focusing on Christ |
| 2 Pet 1:5-8 | ...add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge, and to knowledge self-control, and to self-control steadfastness... | List of virtues, including steadfastness |
| Col 1:11 | ...strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy... | Divine strength for endurance |
| Eph 4:13 | ...until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ... | Goal of maturity in Christ's fullness |
| Phil 3:12 | Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own... | Striving for spiritual perfection/maturity |
| Mt 5:48 | You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. | Divine standard of perfection (goal) |
| Col 1:28 | ...admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man mature in Christ. | Paul's goal to present mature believers |
| Heb 5:14 | But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. | Maturity enables discernment |
| 1 Pet 1:6-7 | In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith... may be found to result in praise... | Trials test and refine faith |
| 1 Cor 10:13 | No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man... God is faithful... | God's faithfulness in trials |
| Job 23:10 | But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold. | Trials as refining, coming out pure |
| Ps 66:10 | For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried. | God tests His people like metals |
| Deut 8:2 | ...that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart... | God's testing reveals heart's true state |
| Phil 4:11-13 | ...for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound... | Contentment and sufficiency in Christ |
| Ps 23:1 | The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. | God's provision means no lack |
| Lk 12:22-31 | Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life... But seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. | God's provision eliminates worry/lack |
| Phil 1:6 | And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. | God's continuing work of completion |
| Jas 2:22 | You see that faith was active along with his works, and by works faith was made perfect. | Faith is perfected by works |
| Prov 24:10 | If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small. | Fainting in adversity reveals lack of strength |
| 1 Thess 1:3 | ...remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. | Steadfastness rooted in hope |
James 1 verses
James 1 4 Meaning
This verse instructs believers to allow the steadfast endurance forged through trials to complete its refining work. The divine purpose of this process is the full development of character, leading to a state of spiritual maturity, completeness, and wholeness, lacking no essential quality required for a robust Christian life.
James 1 4 Context
James 1:4 follows directly from verse 3, which states that "the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." Building upon this foundation, verse 4 elucidates the ultimate purpose and result of this steadfastness. The broader context of James chapter 1 addresses believers experiencing various trials (persecution, economic hardship, social pressure) and provides wisdom for how to respond. James emphasizes that these difficulties are not without divine design, serving as tools for spiritual growth. The chapter encourages joy in trials, asks for wisdom in prayer, warns against double-mindedness, and transitions to the nature of temptation, concluding with the call to be doers of the word, not just hearers. James consistently calls for a robust, practical faith that demonstrates its authenticity through action and character.
James 1 4 Word analysis
- But let perseverance: The conjunction "but" (δὲ - de) marks a transition from the production of perseverance (v.3) to its intended outcome. "Perseverance" is hypomonē (ὑπομονή) in Greek, signifying not mere passive waiting or resignation, but an active, steadfast endurance under trial. It denotes staying under pressure, continuing despite opposition or suffering, rooted in hope and trust in God. It is a work generated by true faith in response to trials.
- finish its work: "Finish" (ἔργον ἐχέτω τέλειον - ergon echetō teleion). Literally, "let it have perfect work." Perseverance is personified; it possesses an active role, a specific task to accomplish within the believer's life. "Work" (ἔργον - ergon) highlights the practical, transformative result. The term "perfect" (teleion, from teleios) here refers to the completion or full development of its intended purpose, not flawlessness in itself, indicating that the endurance must run its full course for its desired effect. It's an ongoing process until its object is fully achieved.
- so that you may be: This phrase (ἵνα γένησθε - hina genēsthe) introduces a purpose clause, revealing God's ultimate intention and the divinely designed outcome of endured trials. It indicates the goal-oriented nature of the trials.
- mature: The Greek word is teleios (τέλειος). This key term means "complete," "perfect," or "fully grown." In a spiritual context, it signifies maturity, having reached the intended state of spiritual development, functionality, and completeness in character. It is often contrasted with spiritual immaturity or being a spiritual infant (Heb 5:14). It points to an inner spiritual robustness, fit for purpose, reflecting Christ-like virtues. It's about being whole and complete as God intended.
- and complete: The Greek word is holoklēros (ὁλόκληρος). This term means "whole in every part," "entire," "sound," or "lacking no essential quality." It is used to describe something or someone totally unimpaired and sound, without blemish (like an animal fit for sacrifice). It reinforces and complements teleios, emphasizing a holistic integrity and soundness—spiritual, moral, and emotional—ensuring that every aspect of the person is developed and made whole. It speaks of a perfect state of health, being undivided.
- not lacking anything: The phrase is mēdeis leipomenoi (μηδεὶς λειπόμενοι). "Lacking" comes from leipō (λείπω), meaning "to fall short of," "to be wanting," or "to be deficient." This is a negative affirmation that reinforces holoklēros and teleios. The goal is for believers to have no deficiency, no missing piece in their spiritual constitution, character, or wisdom required for the challenges and purposes God has for them. It underscores a comprehensive spiritual self-sufficiency in Christ.
James 1 4 Bonus section
The threefold description of the goal—teleios (mature/perfect), holoklēros (whole/complete), and mēdeis leipomenoi (not lacking anything)—provides a rich theological picture of spiritual sanctification. It signifies an comprehensive spiritual state of integrity and completeness. This is not sinless perfection in the earthly sense, but a functional, vocational maturity and soundness. This profound development, wrought through God's wise orchestration of trials and the believer's enduring faith, ultimately glorifies Him by producing faithful witnesses capable of standing firm and reflecting Christ in every circumstance.
James 1 4 Commentary
James 1:4 succinctly presents God's transformative agenda within a believer's life through the lens of enduring trials. It elevates "perseverance" from a passive virtue to an active, purposeful force, urging believers to yield fully to its shaping influence. This active endurance, not resistance or mere toleration, allows God's deeper work to unfold. The divinely appointed outcome is a holistic maturity (teleios) and completeness (holoklēros) in Christ, meaning the believer is fully developed in all essential aspects of character and faith, utterly equipped for God's purposes. The repetition of the idea of "completeness" ("mature," "complete," "not lacking anything") underscores the thoroughness of God's work in those who steadfastly navigate hardship, leaving no part of their spiritual being undeveloped or deficient. This process reveals the authenticity of one's faith and readies the believer to effectively live out the Word.
- Example: A disciple who endures professional setbacks with faith, prays diligently for wisdom, and resists temptation to despair (perseverance) finds that over time, their trust in God deepens, their patience increases, and their peace in difficult situations becomes unwavering. They mature in wisdom and character, demonstrating Christ-likeness, lacking nothing in facing future challenges.