James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

◄ James 1:22 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

English Standard Version
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

New American Standard Bible
But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.

King James Bible
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

International Standard Version
Keep on being obedient to the word, and not merely being hearers who deceive themselves.

American Standard Version
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deluding your own selves.

Douay-Rheims Bible
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Darby Bible Translation
But be ye doers of the word and not hearers only, beguiling yourselves.

Young's Literal Translation
and become ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves,

Cross References

Jeremiah 11:6
Then the LORD said to me, Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, saying, Hear you the words of this covenant, and do them.

Matthew 7:24
Therefore whoever hears these sayings of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, which built his house on a rock:

Luke 6:46
And why call you me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

Luke 6:47
Whoever comes to me, and hears my sayings, and does them, I will show you to whom he is like:

Romans 2:13
(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

James 2:14
What does it profit, my brothers, though a man say he has faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

James 4:11
Speak not evil one of another, brothers. He that speaks evil of his brother, and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law, and judges the law: but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge.

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Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

1:22-25 If we heard a sermon every day of the week, and an angel from heaven were the preacher, yet, if we rested in hearing only, it would never bring us to heaven. Mere hearers are self-deceivers; and self-deceit will be found the worst deceit at last. If we flatter ourselves, it is our own fault; the truth, as it is in Jesus, flatters no man. Let the word of truth be carefully attended to, and it will set before us the corruption of our nature, the disorders of our hearts and lives; and it will tell us plainly what we are. Our sins are the spots the law discovers: Christ's blood is the laver the gospel shows. But in vain do we hear God's word, and look into the gospel glass, if we go away, and forget our spots, instead of washing them off; and forget our remedy, instead of applying to it. This is the case with those who do not hear the word as they ought. In hearing the word, we look into it for counsel and direction, and when we study it, it turns to our spiritual life. Those who keep in the law and word of God, are, and shall be, blessed in all their ways. His gracious recompence hereafter, would be connected with his present peace and comfort. Every part of Divine revelation has its use, in bringing the sinner to Christ for salvation, and in directing and encouraging him to walk at liberty, by the Spirit of adoption, according to the holy commands of God. And mark the distinctness, it is not for his deeds, that any man is blessed, but in his deed. It is not talking, but walking, that will bring us to heaven. Christ will become more precious to the believer's soul, which by his grace will become more fitted for the inheritance of the saints in light.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

22. Qualification of the precept, "Be swift to hear": "Be ye doers … not hearers only"; not merely "Do the word," but "Be doers" systematically and continually, as if this was your regular business. James here again refers to the Sermon on the Mount (Mt 7:21-29).

deceiving your own selves—by the logical fallacy (the Greek implies this) that the mere hearing is all that is needed.