James 1:23
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 Version
because, 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 Bible
For 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 Bible
For 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 Testament
For 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 Word
Jump to Next
Beholding Carefully Considering Doer Face Glass Hearer Listens Mirror Natural Obey Viewing Word
James 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
The phrase "hears the word" emphasizes the act of listening to the divine message, which in the original Greek is "akouō" (ἀκούω). This term implies not just the physical act of hearing but also understanding and internalizing the message. In the historical context of the early church, hearing the word was often through oral tradition and public reading of Scripture, as many did not have personal copies of the Bible. This highlights the importance of being attentive and receptive to God's message, as faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17).

but does not carry it out
The phrase "does not carry it out" translates from the Greek "poiētēs" (ποιητής), meaning to be a doer or performer. This implies an active response to the word, not merely passive listening. The historical context here is crucial; James addresses a community where faith was often professed but not always practiced. The call is to live out one's faith through actions, reflecting the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized that true discipleship involves obedience and action (Matthew 7:24-27).

is like a man
The comparison "is like a man" uses the Greek "anēr" (ἀνήρ), which can mean a male individual or, more broadly, a person. This simile sets up a vivid illustration to convey the folly of inaction. In the cultural context of the time, mirrors were made of polished metal, providing a less clear reflection than modern mirrors. This imagery suggests a fleeting and superficial engagement with one's reflection, paralleling the superficial engagement with God's word when not acted upon.

who looks at his face in a mirror
The act of looking "at his face in a mirror" uses the Greek "katanoeō" (κατανοέω), meaning to observe or consider attentively. This suggests a deliberate examination, yet the subsequent inaction implies a disconnect between observation and transformation. Historically, mirrors were rare and valuable, symbolizing self-examination and reflection. The mirror metaphor in Scripture often represents the law or God's word, which reveals our true selves (2 Corinthians 3:18). The challenge is to let this reflection lead to transformation, not just momentary awareness.

(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
For
ὅτι (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 NIV
James 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)
James 1:22
Top of Page
Top of Page