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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>James 4:17 Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/james/4-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/59_Jas_04_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="James 4:17 - Do Not Boast of Tomorrow" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad17.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/james/4-16.htm" title="James 4:16">◄</a> James 4:17 <a href="/james/5-1.htm" title="James 5:1">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/james/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/james/4.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn&#8217t do it, it is sin for them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/james/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/james/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/james/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/james/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Therefore to the <i>one</i> knowing to do good, and not doing, it is sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/james/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth <i>it</i> not, to him it is sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/james/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do <i>it,</i> to him it is sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/james/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So for one who knows <i>the</i> right thing to do and does not do it, for him it is sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/james/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/james/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Therefore, to one who knows <i>the</i> right thing to do, and does not do it, to him it is sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/james/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Therefore, to one who knows to do <i>the</i> right thing and does not do it, to him it is sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/james/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So any person who knows what is right to do but does not do it, to him it is sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/james/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So it is sin to know the good and yet not do it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/james/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So it is a sin for the person who knows to do what is good and doesn&#8217t do it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/james/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />To him therefore that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/james/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />If you don't do what you know is right, you have sinned. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/james/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />To him therefore that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/james/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Whoever knows what is right but doesn't do it is sinning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/james/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />So then, if we do not do the good we know we should do, we are guilty of sin. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/james/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Therefore, anyone who knows what is right but fails to do it is guilty of sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/james/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/james/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />So whoever knows what is good to do and does not do it is guilty of sin. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/james/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />To him therefore who knows to do good, and does not do it, to him it is sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/james/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/james/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />If, however, a man knows what it is right to do and yet does not do it, he commits a sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/james/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />To him therefore who knows to do good and doesn’t do it, to him it is sin. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/james/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />to him, then, knowing to do good, and not doing [it], it is sin to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/james/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Therefore to the <i>one</i> knowing to do good, and not doing, it is sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/james/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> to him, then, knowing to do good, and not doing, sin it is to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/james/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Therefore to him knowing to do good, and not doing, to him it is sin.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/james/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />To him therefore who knoweth to do good, and doth it not, to him it is sin. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/james/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Therefore, he who knows that he ought to do a good thing, and does not do it, for him it is a sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/james/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />So for one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, it is a sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/james/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, commits sin.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/james/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Therefore he who knows to do good, and does not do it, to him it is sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/james/4.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />Whoever knows the good and does not do it, to him it is sin. <div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/james/4.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />Therefore, to him that knows how to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/james/4.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />Therefore to him that knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/james/4.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />Therefore if a man knoweth how to act properly, and doth not, he is criminal.<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/james/4.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />he then that knows what is virtuous, and does not practise it, is a criminal.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/james/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />If, however, a man knows what it is right to do and yet does not do it, he commits a sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/james/4.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />To him, therefore, who knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/james/4.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />To him therefore that knoweth to do good, and doth it not, to him it is sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/james/4-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0xUBCzqsAGw?start=797" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/james/4.htm">Do Not Boast of Tomorrow</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">16</span>As it is, you boast in your proud intentions. All such boasting is evil. <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autō (PPro-DM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">Anyone,</a> <a href="/greek/3767.htm" title="3767: oun (Conj) -- Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.">then,</a> <a href="/greek/1492.htm" title="1492: eidoti (V-RPA-DMS) -- To know, remember, appreciate. ">who knows</a> <a href="/greek/2570.htm" title="2570: kalon (Adj-ANS) -- Properly, beautiful, but chiefly good, i.e. Valuable or virtuous.">the right thing</a> <a href="/greek/4160.htm" title="4160: poiein (V-PNA) -- (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.">to do,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">yet</a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.">fails</a> <a href="/greek/4160.htm" title="4160: poiounti (V-PPA-DMS) -- (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.">to do it,</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is</a> <a href="/greek/266.htm" title="266: hamartia (N-NFS) -- From hamartano; a sin.">guilty of sin.</a> </span><div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-47.htm">Luke 12:47-48</a></span><br />That servant who knows his master’s will but does not get ready or follow his instructions will be beaten with many blows. / But the one who unknowingly does things worthy of punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from him who has been entrusted with much, even more will be demanded.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/25-24.htm">Matthew 25:24-30</a></span><br />Finally, the servant who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Master, I knew that you are a hard man, reaping where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. / So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what belongs to you.’ / ‘You wicked, lazy servant!’ replied his master. ‘You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/14-23.htm">Romans 14:23</a></span><br />But the one who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that is not from faith is sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/9-41.htm">John 9:41</a></span><br />“If you were blind,” Jesus replied, “you would not be guilty of sin. But since you claim you can see, your guilt remains.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/10-30.htm">Luke 10:30-37</a></span><br />Jesus took up this question and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. / Now by chance a priest was going down the same road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. / So too, when a Levite came to that spot and saw him, he passed by on the other side. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-26.htm">Matthew 7:26-27</a></span><br />But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. / The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its collapse!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/3-17.htm">1 John 3:17-18</a></span><br />If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him? / Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/3-27.htm">Proverbs 3:27</a></span><br />Do not withhold good from the deserving when it is within your power to act.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-23.htm">Matthew 23:23</a></span><br />Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/3-18.htm">Ezekiel 3:18-19</a></span><br />If I say to the wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ but you do not warn him or speak out to warn him from his wicked way to save his life, that wicked man will die in his iniquity, and I will hold you responsible for his blood. / But if you warn a wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness and his wicked way, he will die in his iniquity, but you will have saved yourself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/21-28.htm">Matthew 21:28-31</a></span><br />But what do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first one and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ / ‘I will not,’ he replied. But later he changed his mind and went. / Then the man went to the second son and told him the same thing. ‘I will, sir,’ he said. But he did not go. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/10-26.htm">Hebrews 10:26-27</a></span><br />If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains, / but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume all adversaries.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/15-22.htm">1 Samuel 15:22-23</a></span><br />But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams. / For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/6-9.htm">Galatians 6:9-10</a></span><br />Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. / Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/6-8.htm">Micah 6:8</a></span><br />He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Therefore to him that knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/12-47.htm">Luke 12:47,48</a></b></br> And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not <i>himself</i>, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many <i>stripes</i>… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/9-41.htm">John 9:41</a></b></br> Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/13-17.htm">John 13:17</a></b></br> If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_corinthians/6-18.htm">Commits</a> <a href="/james/2-10.htm">Fails</a> <a href="/james/3-17.htm">Good</a> <a href="/james/2-8.htm">However</a> <a href="/james/4-15.htm">Ought</a> <a href="/james/4-15.htm">Right</a> <a href="/james/2-9.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-26.htm">Sins</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_john/3-4.htm">Commits</a> <a href="/1_john/3-10.htm">Fails</a> <a href="/james/5-13.htm">Good</a> <a href="/1_peter/4-16.htm">However</a> <a href="/1_peter/3-3.htm">Ought</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-14.htm">Right</a> <a href="/james/5-15.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/james/5-15.htm">Sins</a><div class="vheading2">James 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/james/4-1.htm">We are to strive against covetousness;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/james/4-4.htm">intemperance;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/james/4-5.htm">pride;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/james/4-11.htm">detraction and rash judgment of others;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/james/4-13.htm">and not to be boastful of our future plans.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/james/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/james/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/james/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do</b><br>This phrase emphasizes personal responsibility and the knowledge of moral and ethical standards. In the context of James, the audience is primarily Jewish Christians familiar with the Law and teachings of Jesus. The "right thing" refers to actions aligned with God's will, as revealed through Scripture and the teachings of Christ. This echoes the teachings of Jesus in <a href="/luke/12-47.htm">Luke 12:47-48</a>, where greater knowledge brings greater responsibility. The phrase also connects to the wisdom literature of the Old Testament, such as Proverbs, which emphasizes the importance of knowing and doing what is right.<p><b>yet fails to do it</b><br>This part highlights the sin of omission, which is failing to act when one knows they should. In biblical terms, this is as serious as committing a wrongful act. The parable of the Good Samaritan (<a href="/luke/10-25.htm">Luke 10:25-37</a>) illustrates this principle, where the priest and Levite's failure to help the injured man is a sin of omission. The cultural context of the time placed a strong emphasis on community and mutual responsibility, making inaction particularly grievous.<p><b>is guilty of sin</b><br>The conclusion of the verse underscores the seriousness of inaction. Sin, in this context, is not just about breaking a commandment but failing to live up to the standards of righteousness set by God. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative that sin separates humanity from God, as seen in <a href="/romans/3-23.htm">Romans 3:23</a>. Theologically, this phrase reinforces the need for repentance and the transformative power of grace through Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the Law and offers redemption for all sins, both of commission and omission.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/james.htm">James</a></b><br>The author of the epistle, traditionally identified as James, the brother of Jesus and a leader in the early Jerusalem church. His letter is practical and focuses on living out one's faith.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_early_church.htm">The Early Church</a></b><br>The audience of the letter, consisting of Jewish Christians scattered among the nations, facing trials and needing guidance on living a godly life.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/sin.htm">Sin</a></b><br>The central theme of this verse, emphasizing the moral responsibility of believers to act on their knowledge of what is right.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/m/moral_responsibility.htm">Moral Responsibility</a></b><br>As Christians, we are called to act on the knowledge of what is right. Ignorance is not an excuse when we are aware of God's will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/sin_of_omission.htm">Sin of Omission</a></b><br>This verse highlights that sin is not only about wrongful actions but also about failing to do what is right. We must be proactive in our faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/accountability.htm">Accountability</a></b><br>We are accountable to God for our actions and inactions. Knowing the right thing to do imposes a responsibility to act accordingly.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/active_faith.htm">Active Faith</a></b><br>Our faith should be demonstrated through our actions. It is not enough to know God's will; we must live it out in our daily lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/conscience_and_conviction.htm">Conscience and Conviction</a></b><br>The Holy Spirit guides us in understanding what is right. We must be sensitive to His leading and act on our convictions.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_james_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from James 4</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_passivity.htm">What does the Bible say about being passive?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_sin.htm">What does the Bible say about Christian sin?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_sin_defined.htm">How is sin defined?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_the_nature_of_sin.htm">What defines the nature of sin?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/james/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(17) <span class= "bld">Therefore . . . .</span>--A difficulty presents itself in this verse--whether the application be general, or a particular comment on the words preceding. Probably both ideas are correct. We learn the converse to the evil of vainglory in life, namely, the good which may be wrought by every one. Occasions of well-doing lie in the abject at our doors, and the pleadings of pity in our very hearts. And thus it is that omission is at times worse than commission; and more souls are in jeopardy for things left undone than for things done. In "The Beautiful Legend" there is a strife between the call of duty to give out a dole of bread to the hungry, and the temptation to linger in religious ecstasy over a vision of Christ. But the true brother knew "to do good," and did it; and, returning at the end of his work, found his cell full of the radiant presence of the Lord, and heard the words of rich approval--<p>"Hadst thou stayed, I must have fled."<p>And again, in another succession of thoughts on the text, God has no need of human knowledge; no, nor of our ignorance; "and it is a sin to shut the ears to instruction: it is a duty to get knowledge, to increase in knowledge, to abound in knowledge." Nor must we rest therein, but (<a href="/context/2_peter/1-6.htm" title="And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;">2Peter 1:6-7</a>) "add to knowledge temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, charity."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/james/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 17.</span> <span class="accented">- Conclusion of the section.</span> "Some have supposed a direct reference to <a href="/romans/14-23.htm">Romans 14:23</a>, 'Whatsover is not of faith is sin.' We can scarcely assume so much; but the correspondence is very remarkable, and St. James supplements St. Paul. It is sin to doubt whether a thing be right, and yet do it. It is also sin to know that a thing is right, and yet to leave it undone" (Dean Scott, in the 'Speaker's Commentary'). <p> <p> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/james/4-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">Therefore,</span><br /><span class="grk">οὖν</span> <span class="translit">(oun)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3767.htm">Strong's 3767: </a> </span><span class="str2">Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">whoever</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτῷ</span> <span class="translit">(autō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">knows</span><br /><span class="grk">εἰδότι</span> <span class="translit">(eidoti)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Dative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1492.htm">Strong's 1492: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know, remember, appreciate. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">[the] right thing</span><br /><span class="grk">καλὸν</span> <span class="translit">(kalon)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2570.htm">Strong's 2570: </a> </span><span class="str2">Properly, beautiful, but chiefly good, i.e. Valuable or virtuous.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to do,</span><br /><span class="grk">ποιεῖν</span> <span class="translit">(poiein)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Infinitive Active<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4160.htm">Strong's 4160: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">yet</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">fails</span><br /><span class="grk">μὴ</span> <span class="translit">(mē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3361.htm">Strong's 3361: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to do [it],</span><br /><span class="grk">ποιοῦντι</span> <span class="translit">(poiounti)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Participle Active - Dative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4160.htm">Strong's 4160: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐστιν</span> <span class="translit">(estin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> </span><span class="str2">I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">guilty of sin.</span><br /><span class="grk">ἁμαρτία</span> <span class="translit">(hamartia)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_266.htm">Strong's 266: </a> </span><span class="str2">From hamartano; a sin.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/james/4-17.htm">James 4:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/james/4-17.htm">James 4:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/james/4-17.htm">James 4:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/james/4-17.htm">James 4:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/james/4-17.htm">James 4:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/james/4-17.htm">James 4:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/james/4-17.htm">James 4:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/james/4-17.htm">James 4:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/james/4-17.htm">James 4:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/james/4-17.htm">James 4:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/james/4-17.htm">NT Letters: James 4:17 To him therefore who knows to do (Ja Jas. Jam) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/james/4-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="James 4:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="James 4:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/james/5-1.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="James 5:1"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="James 5:1" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>