James 1:4
New International Version
Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

New Living Translation
So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

English Standard Version
And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Berean Standard Bible
Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Berean Literal Bible
And let endurance have its perfect work, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

King James Bible
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

New King James Version
But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

New American Standard Bible
And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

NASB 1995
And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

NASB 1977
And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Legacy Standard Bible
And let perseverance have its perfect work, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Amplified Bible
And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.

Christian Standard Bible
And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

American Standard Version
And let patience have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing.

Contemporary English Version
But you must learn to endure everything, so you will be completely mature and not lacking in anything.

English Revised Version
And let patience have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Endure until your testing is over. Then you will be mature and complete, and you won't need anything.

Good News Translation
Make sure that your endurance carries you all the way without failing, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

International Standard Version
But you must let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

Majority Standard Bible
Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

NET Bible
And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything.

New Heart English Bible
Let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Webster's Bible Translation
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Weymouth New Testament
Only let endurance have perfect results so that you may become perfect and complete, deficient in nothing.

World English Bible
Let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and let the endurance have a perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Berean Literal Bible
And let endurance have its perfect work, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Young's Literal Translation
and let the endurance have a perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire -- in nothing lacking;

Smith's Literal Translation
And let patience have a perfect work, that ye be perfect and entire, being left behind in nothing.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And patience hath a perfect work; that you may be perfect and entire, failing in nothing.

Catholic Public Domain Version
and patience brings a work to perfection, so that you may be perfect and whole, deficient in nothing.

New American Bible
And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

New Revised Standard Version
and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And let patience be a perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, lacking nothing.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But patience will have a complete work for itself that you would be perfected and complete, and that you would be lacking nothing.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But let patience have its work perfected, that you may be perfect and faultless, wanting in nothing.

Godbey New Testament
But let endurance have its perfect work, in order that you may be perfect and whole in every part, lacking in nothing.

Haweis New Testament
But let patience have its work perfected, that ye may be perfect and complete, deficient in nothing.

Mace New Testament
but constancy should be brought to its perfection, that you may be entirely accomplished, without any defect.

Weymouth New Testament
Only let endurance have perfect results so that you may become perfect and complete, deficient in nothing.

Worrell New Testament
And let patience have a perfect work; that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing.

Worsley New Testament
but let patience have it's perfect work, that ye may be entirely perfect, failing in nothing.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Rejoicing in Trials
3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.…

Cross References
Romans 5:3-4
Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; / perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Philippians 1:6
being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 10:36
You need to persevere, so that after you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.

1 Peter 1:6-7
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials / so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:5-8
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; / and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; / and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. ...

Colossians 1:11
being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have full endurance and patience, and joyfully

1 Thessalonians 5:23
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your entire spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 4:13
until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ.

Matthew 5:48
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

2 Corinthians 12:9
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.

1 Corinthians 13:10
but when the perfect comes, the partial passes away.

2 Timothy 3:17
so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.

Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us. / Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. The one who fears has not been perfected in love.

Job 23:10
Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.


Treasury of Scripture

But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

let.

James 5:7-11
Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain…

Job 17:9
The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.

Psalm 37:7
Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

perfect and.

James 3:2
For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

Proverbs 4:8
Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.

Matthew 5:48
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

wanting.

James 1:5
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.

Matthew 19:20
The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

Mark 10:21
Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

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Complete Deficient Effect Endurance Entire Finish Full Lacking Mature Needing Patience Perfect Perseverance Power Result Results Steadfastness Wanting Work
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Complete Deficient Effect Endurance Entire Finish Full Lacking Mature Needing Patience Perfect Perseverance Power Result Results Steadfastness Wanting Work
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.














Allow perseverance
The Greek word for "perseverance" is "hypomonē," which conveys a sense of steadfastness and endurance under trial. In the early Christian context, believers faced persecution and hardship, and this perseverance was not passive but active, requiring a firm resolve to remain faithful. The call to "allow" suggests a conscious decision to embrace this process, recognizing that trials are not merely obstacles but opportunities for growth. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative where endurance is seen as a virtue that refines character, as seen in Romans 5:3-4.

to finish its work
The phrase "to finish its work" implies a process that is ongoing and purposeful. The Greek word "teleioō" means to bring to completion or maturity. This reflects the idea that perseverance is not an end in itself but a means to an end. The work being completed is the believer's spiritual development. Historically, this would resonate with early Christians who understood their faith journey as a path toward holiness and Christlikeness, echoing the teachings of Jesus about bearing fruit and growing in righteousness.

so that you may be mature
"Mature" translates from the Greek "teleios," which means perfect or complete. In the biblical sense, maturity is not about flawlessness but about reaching the intended purpose or goal. This maturity is a spiritual maturity, reflecting a deep, abiding faith and a life that mirrors the character of Christ. The early church valued this maturity as a sign of spiritual health and vitality, encouraging believers to grow in wisdom and understanding.

and complete
The word "complete" in Greek is "holoklēros," meaning whole or entire. This suggests a holistic development where every aspect of a believer's life is brought into alignment with God's will. The historical context of James' audience, who faced fragmentation due to trials, underscores the importance of being whole and undivided in faith. This completeness is a testament to the transformative power of God's work in a believer's life.

not lacking anything
The phrase "not lacking anything" speaks to the sufficiency found in Christ. The Greek word "leipō" means to be deficient or in need. In a world where material and spiritual needs were often unmet, this assurance of lacking nothing is profound. It reflects the biblical promise that God provides for His people, as seen in Philippians 4:19. This completeness and sufficiency are not about material wealth but about spiritual richness and fulfillment in God's presence.

(4) Let patience have her perfect work.--Do not think the grace will come to its full beauty in an hour. Emotion and sentiment may have their place in the beginning of a Christian career, but the end thereof is not yet. Until the soul be quite unmoved by any attack of Satan, the work cannot be deemed "perfect." The doctrine is not mere quietism, much less one of apathy, but rather this, that the conscious strength of patient trust in God is able to say at all times (comp. Psalm 63:8)--

"My soul hath followed hard on Thee;

Thy right hand hath upholden me."

And if in this patience we can learn to possess our souls (Luke 21:19) the perfect work of God will be wrought within us.

That ye may be perfect and entire (or, complete).--A special proof herein for religious people may be taken with regard to temper. Few trials are harder; and sweetness of disposition often melts away from physical causes, such as ill-health or fatigue. But the great test remains; and it is one which the world will ever apply with scorn to the nominally Christian, refusing to admit the claims of saintliness on the part of any whose religion is not of the household as well as the Church. The entirety and completeness of the life hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3) are manifested most by self-restraint.

Wanting nothing.--The older version, "lacking," found in Tyndale, Cranmer, and the Genevan Bible seems decidedly better. Here is no wish that the faithful should be free from care, heeding nothing; but rather that their whole lives might be without fault or flaw: a perfect sacrifice, as it were, offered up to God. And this idea is confirmed by reflecting on the original meaning of the word translated "entire" above in the Authorised version=complete, i.e., as an offering, with no blemish. . . .

Verse 4. - Patience alone is not sufficient. It must have scope given it for its exercise that it may have its "perfect work." That ye may be perfect (ἵνα ῆτε τέλειοι); cf. Matthew 5:48, "Be ye therefore perfect." Both τέλειος and ὁλόκληρος were applied to the initiated, the fully instructed, as opposed to novices in the ancient mysteries; and as early as 1 Corinthians 2:6, 7 we find τέλειος used for the Christian who is no longer in need of rudimentary teaching, and possibly this is the thought here. The figure, however, is probably rather that of the full-grown man. Τέλειοι, equivalent to "grown men" as opposed to children; ὁλόκληροι, sound in every part and limb (cf. ὁλοκληρίαν in Acts 3:16). From this τέλειος assumes a moral-complexion, that which has attained its aim. Compare its use in Genesis 6:9 and Deuteronomy 18:13, where it is equivalent to the Latin integer vitae, and the following passage from Stobaeus, which exactly serves to illustrate St. James's thought in vers. 4 and 5, Τὸν ἀγαθὸν ἄνδρα τέλειον εϊναι λέγουσιν, διὰ τὸ μηδεμίας ἀπολείπεσθαι ἀρετῆς The "perfection" which is to be attained in this life may be further illustrated from Hebrews 12:23 - a passage which is often misunderstood, but which undoubtedly means that the men were made perfect (πνεύμασι δικαίων τετελειωμένων), and that not in a future state, but here on earth, where alone they can be subject to those trials and conflicts by the patient endurance of which they are perfected for a higher state of being. The whole passage before us (vers. 2-6) affords a most remarkable instance of the figure called by grammarians anadiplosis, the repetition of a marked word at the close of one clause and beginning of another. "The trial of your faith worketh patience; but let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing. But if any man lack wisdom, let him ask of the giving God... and it shall be given him; but let him ask in faith, nothing doubting, for he that doubteth," etc.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Allow
ἐχέτω (echetō)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

perseverance
ὑπομονὴ (hypomonē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5281: Endurance, steadfastness, patient waiting for. From hupomeno; cheerful endurance, constancy.

to finish
τέλειον (teleion)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5046: From telos; complete; neuter completeness.

[its] work,
ἔργον (ergon)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2041: From a primary ergo; toil; by implication, an act.

so that
ἵνα (hina)
Conjunction
Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.

you may be
ἦτε (ēte)
Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

mature
τέλειοι (teleioi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5046: From telos; complete; neuter completeness.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

complete,
ὁλόκληροι (holoklēroi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3648: Complete in every part, sound, perfect, entire. From holos and kleros; complete in every part, i.e. Perfectly sound.

[not] lacking
λειπόμενοι (leipomenoi)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3007: A primary verb; to leave, i.e. to fail or be absent.

[anything].
μηδενὶ (mēdeni)
Adjective - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3367: No one, none, nothing.


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NT Letters: James 1:4 Let endurance have its perfect work that (Ja Jas. Jam)
James 1:3
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