Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.
Parallel translations
- WEB To him therefore who knows to do good, and doesn’t do it, to him it is sin.
- KJV Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
- BSB Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin.
- NASB So for one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, for him it is sin.
- NLT Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Knowing the right thing to do and failing to do it is sin. Sin includes not only wrongdoing but neglected good.
Overview
James closes this section with a principle defining sins of omission: the one who knows the good and does not do it sins. This broadens accountability beyond avoiding evil to actively doing what is right, fitting James's emphasis on faith working through obedience. It convicts every reader of falling short and points to the need for the grace and righteousness found in Christ alone.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- John 9:41Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains.
- John 13:17If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
- John 15:22If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have had sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin.
- 2 Pet 2:21For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them.
- Luke 12:47–48That servant, who knew his lord’s will, and didn’t prepare, nor do what he wanted, will be beaten with many stripes,
- Rom 1:32who, knowing the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also approve of those who practice them.
- Rom 2:17–23Indeed you bear the name of a Jew, and rest on the law, and glory in God,
- Rom 1:20–21For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse.
- Rom 7:13Did then that which is good become death to me? May it never be! But sin, that it might be shown to be sin, by producing death in me through that which is good; that through the commandment sin might become exceedingly sinful.
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Christ at the center
The wisdom from above and the royal law of love are the life of those who belong to 'our glorious Lord Jesus Christ' — faith in him made visible in works.
How James 4:17 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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