James 4:17
For it is a sin if you know to do what's right but don't do it.
Free Bible 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 right now you're caught up in your vain ideas. All this boasting is evil.
Cross References
John 9:41Jesus answered, “If you were blind, you wouldn't be guilty. But now that you say you see, your guilt remains.”
John 15:22If I hadn't come and spoken to them, they wouldn't be guilty of sin—but now they have no excuse for their sin.
Romans 1:32Even though they realize exactly what God requires, they do things that deserve death. Not only do they do such things themselves, they also support others in doing them.
Romans 7:13Now would something that is good kill me? Of course not! But sin shows itself to be sin by using good to cause my death. So by means of the commandment, it's revealed how evil sin really is.
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 →