James 4:17
Therefore, he who knows that he ought to do a good thing, and does not do it, for him it is a sin.
Catholic Public Domain Version
In The King James Version
Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
In Context
16But now you exult in your arrogance. All such exultation is wicked.
Cross References
John 9:41Jesus said to them: “If you were blind, you would not have sin. Yet now you say, ‘We see.’ So your sin persists.”
John 15:22If I had not come and had not spoken to them, they would not have sin. But now they have no excuse for their sin.
Romans 1:32And these, though they had known the justice of God, did not understand that those who act in such a manner are deserving of death, and not only those who do these things, but also those who consent to what is done.
Romans 7:13Then was what is good made into death for me? Let it not be so! But rather sin, in order that it might be known as sin by what is good, wrought death in me; so that sin, through the commandment, might become sinful beyond measure.
Matthew Henry on James 4:12-17
Caution against Slander; Caution against Presumption. ( a. d. 61.) 11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. 12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another? 13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get… Read the whole commentary →