2:6a

But: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as But here indicates a contrast. The contrast is between what God had done (chosen the poor) in 2:5, and what James’ readers had done (dishonored the poor) in 2:6.

you have dishonored: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as dishonored refers to being rude to someone by what you do or say. The believers whom James was addressing should have realized that the poor person was important to God. Instead they treated him as someone who deserved no respect.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

you have insulted (New International Version (2011 Revision))
-or-
you have humiliated
-or-
you have treated shamefully
-or-
you have shown no respect

you: The pronoun you is emphatic in Greek. One way to translate this is:

as for you, you

the poor: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the poor is singular. So James was probably referring again to his example, and the poor is the poor man of 2:2–3. For example:

the poor man (New Living Translation, 1996 edition)

2:6b–7b

The rhetorical questions in 2:6b–7b all imply that it was foolish to honor the rich, because they were the very ones who were being cruel to Christian believers. You may be able to show this by making some of this information explicit in 2:6. For example:

^2:6aBut you have dishonored the poor and honored the rich. Why?. ^2:6bIs it not the rich who are exploiting you?
-or-
^2:6aBut you have insulted the poor. ^2:6bYou are foolish! Is it not the rich who oppress you?

2:6b–c

In Greek and the Berean Standard Bible, 2:6b–c forms one rhetorical question. Some translations, however, translate 2:6b–c as two rhetorical questions. For example:

Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? (New International Version (2011 Revision))

Do whatever is clearest and easiest to understand in your language.

2:6b

Is it not the rich who oppress you: This is a rhetorical question. James used this rhetorical question to emphasize that it was the rich people who were exploiting the believers. He implied that his readers knew this very well. For that reason, their custom of treating the rich better than the poor did not make much sense.

Some ways to translate this emphasis are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

are not the rich your oppressors? (Revised English Bible)
-or-
It is the rich people who are oppressing you, right?

• As a statement. For example:

The rich are always trying to control your lives. (New Century Version)
-or-
You know that it’s the rich people who oppress you.

Translate this emphasis in a way that is natural in your language.

the rich: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the rich is plural. James was referring to rich people in general. For example:

rich people (God’s Word)

oppress: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as oppress means “oppressing, dominating, causing severe hardship.” James meant that rich people were using their power against the poor and making them suffer while helping themselves to become richer.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

taking advantage of you
-or-
mistreating you
-or-
control your lives (New Century Version)
-or-
causing you to suffer

2:6c

and drag you into court?: This is a rhetorical question. James again emphasized that it was the rich people who were mistreating believers.

Some ways to translate this emphasis are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Is it not they who drag you into court? (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
It is the rich people who drag you into court, right?

• As a statement. For example:

It is the rich people who are forcing you to appear before the law court.
-or-
They are the ones who take you to court. (New Century Version)

Translate this emphasis in a way that is natural in your language.

drag you into court: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as drag means “forcing to go.” Rich people were taking poor people to court, making false accusations against them, and treating them unjustly.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

take you to court (New Century Version)
-or-
force you to go before the judges

© 2012 by SIL International®

Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

Section 3:13–18

The wisdom of God is quite different from the wisdom of the devil

This section has three paragraphs. First, in 3:13 James introduced the topic of wisdom. Then he continued with two paragraphs. In each paragraph he discussed one type of wisdom. The first type he discussed (in 3:14–16) is the false wisdom that does not come from God. The second type he discussed (in 3:17–18) is the true wisdom that does come from God.

Some other possible headings for this section are:

True Wisdom Comes from God (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
-or-
Two Kinds of Wisdom (New International Version (2011 Revision))

Paragraph 3:13

This verse introduces the topic of spiritual wisdom by challenging people who claim to be wise. James said that their claim must be tested.

See the General Comment on 3:13a–c at the end of 3:13c for ways to reorder this verse.

3:13a

Who is wise and understanding among you?: This is a rhetorical question. James used this rhetorical question to focus on a specific group of people and to address them. He addressed those who thought that they were wise and understanding. For example:

Who among you thinks/says that he is wise and understanding?

Some ways to translate this rhetorical question are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Are there those among you who are truly wise and understanding? (New Century Version)
-or-
Do any of you have wisdom and insight? (God’s Word)

• As a conditional clause. For example:

If you are wise and understand God’s ways (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))

• As a statement. For example:

Anyone who thinks he is wise and understanding
-or-
Regarding those who think that they are wise and understanding
-or-
Now I want to talk to those of you who think/claim that you are wise and understanding.

Translate this rhetorical question in a way that is natural in your language.

is wise and understanding: The two Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as wise and understanding are a doublet. This means that these two words mean almost the same thing. In some languages, both words can be translated by one emphatic word or phrase. For example:

truly wise

is wise: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as wise here describes a person who lives in a way that agrees with what God wants. Wisdom in the Bible is concerned with choosing between right and wrong actions.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

has wisdom
-or-
thinking is good
-or-
makes good/godly choices

understanding: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as understanding here describes a person who knows what is right and what is wrong.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

has insight
-or-
is perceptive

3:13b

Let him show it: The clause Let him show it is a command. The pronoun him refers to the person in 3:13a who is wise and understanding. The verb show here means “prove to everyone” or “demonstrate.” The pronoun it refers to the claim to be wise in 3:13a. So this clause means:

He must show/prove to others that he is wise and understanding

Another way to translate this clause is:

He must do what is wise and understanding, then people will know/see it in him.

Your translation of this clause must correspond with the way you translated “Who is…” in 3:13a. For example:

^13aDo any of you have wisdom…? ^13bShow this… (God’s Word)
-or-
^13aIf you are wise…, ^13bprove it… (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
-or-
^13aAre there those among you who are truly wise…? ^13bThen they should show it (New Century Version)
-or-
^13aA person who thinks that he is wise ^13bmust prove that he has wisdom.

by his good conduct: The phrase by his good conduct is the means by which a person shows that he is wise. The phrase good conduct refers to the person’s good behavior or good conduct. (The King James Version says “out of a good conversation.” When the King James Version was translated, the word “conversation” meant “behavior.”)

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

by his good life (New International Version (2011 Revision))
-or-
by living right (New Century Version)
-or-
with/through his good behavior
-or-
in his good works

3:13c

by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom: There are several ways to connect this phrase to the rest of the verse:

(a) Make it a more specific restatement of the phrase “by his good conduct” (in 3:13b). For example:

^13bYou are to prove it by your good life, ^13cby your good deeds performed with humility and wisdom. (Good News Translation)

(b) Make it the second clause that is parallel to “by his good conduct.” For example:

^13bThen show it by living right ^13cand by being humble and wise in everything you do. (Contemporary English Version)

(c) Make it the object of the verb “show.” For example:

^13bhe should show ^13chis works done in the gentleness that wisdom brings. (NET Bible) (The NET Bible accurately follows the Greek grammar here by translating “his works” as the object of the verb “show.” However, this solution makes it difficult to naturally connect the phrase “by his good conduct” (3:13b) to the rest of the sentence.)

deeds done in…humility: The clause deeds done in…humility means “good deeds that are done with a humble attitude.” In other words, the deeds are done modestly and not proudly. (It is not clear from the Greek text whether the phrase in the humility that comes from wisdom is to be connected to the word “show” or whether it is to be connected to the word “deeds.” In other words, does it mean that when the man shows the deeds he has done, he is to do it humbly, not proudly? Or does it mean that the deeds he has done must be deeds that are done humbly, not selfishly? The second interpretation makes better sense in the context and is accepted by Berean Standard Bible, Good News Translation, New International Version (2011 Revision), and many commentators.)

deeds: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as deeds is more literally “works” (as in the Revised Standard Version). This word refers to “good deeds.” It refers to good activities that people do out of love for God or for other people. This same word occurs in 2:14c.

the humility that comes from wisdom: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the humility that comes from wisdom is literally “the humility/meekness of wisdom.” This probably means the humility that comes from wisdom (as the Berean Standard Bible translates it). In other words, wisdom is the source from which humility comes.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

the gentleness that wisdom brings (NET Bible)
-or-
humility. This humility comes from wisdom

When someone has humility that comes from wisdom, he has both humility and wisdom. So another way to translate this phrase is:

humility and wisdom (Good News Translation) (The Translator’s Handbook (page 122) and Exegetical Summary (page 136) both treat “humility and wisdom” (Good News Translation) as a separate interpretation from “humility that comes from wisdom.” However it is not certain whether the Good News Translation (and similar Contemporary English Version) really interpret the meaning of the genitive differently or have simply chosen to translate it differently.)

humility: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as humility refers to a submissive and teachable attitude. This attitude is expressed by a person being gentle or mild rather than being harsh or ready to fight.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

meekness (English Standard Version)
-or-
gentleness (New Century Version)
-or-
being mild

See the note on 1:21c “humbly” which translates the same phrase in Greek.

wisdom: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as wisdom here refers to the ability to know and choose what is right. Use an expression that corresponds to the one you have chosen for “wise” in 3:13a.

General Comment on 3:13a–c

In some languages, it may be more natural to change the order of some of the clauses in 3:13a–c. For example:

^13aYou who claim to be wise and to perceive things well ^13bneed to prove it. In order to prove it, you should behave well. ^13cThat is, you should do good without boasting about it. This is the attitude that wise people have.
-or-
^13aSome of you think that you are wise and understand what is right and wrong. ^13bSo then, behave well. ^13cDo good deeds in a gentle/humble way. ^13bThis will show/prove that you are wise, ^13csince truly wise people are humble.

General Comment on 3:13c

In some languages, it may be necessary to divide this complex clause into several sentences. For example:

^13cHe must also show his wisdom by his good deeds. He does these good deeds with a humble attitude. This humility comes from wisdom.
-or-
^13cHe must do good and not think he is great or important. That way he will show people that he is wise.

© 2012 by SIL International®

Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

Paragraph 5:12

The Jews used oaths frequently, especially when they had strong feelings. They swore oaths when they made promises or threats, or when they wanted to strengthen the statement they were making. Some examples from the Bible are: 1 Samuel 1:26, 20:3, 20:12; 1 Kings 17:1; Matthew 14:7, 26:72. James here taught that Christian people should avoid oaths.

5:12a

Above all: The phrase Above all here means “most of all,” or “most important of all.” James was probably ranking the avoidance of swearing oaths as even more important than avoiding other sins of the tongue such as grumbling. (See Mayor, page 161; Ropes, page 300; Adamson (1976), page 194. Huther, page 215, thinks the comparison is with all the other warnings of the epistle. Other commentators think that James meant, “What I am going to say now is extremely important,” and that he was not comparing the importance of this topic with the importance of what he had said before. See Davids (1982), page 189; Mitton, page 191; Hiebert, page 308; Laws, pages 219–220; Martin, page 203.)

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

But most of all (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
-or-
It is of the highest importance (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
Most importantly

my brothers: Notice that the Berean Standard Bible places the phrase my brothers at the end of 5:12a. This follows the word order of the Greek text. In some languages, it is more natural to place it at the beginning. For example:

My friends, if any of you wander away from the truth… (Good News Translation)

In some languages, it is not natural to repeat my brothers so often. Read 5:7–12 to see if it would be more natural to omit one or more of the phrases my brothers.

5:12b

do not swear: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as swear refers to calling upon God or some other being or object to be a witness that what you are saying is true. It is implied that God will punish you if what you are saying is not true. James said that his readers should stop swearing or using oaths.

Another way to translate this word is:

do not use an oath (Good News Translation)

Be sure to distinguish the word “swear” from the words “curse” and “bad words/language.”

If there is no expression that refers to this word in your language, you may need to explain what James means. For example:

do not call on God to punish you if you are lying

5:12c

not by heaven or earth: The phrase by heaven or earth means “calling on heaven or earth as a witness that you are telling the truth.” These are examples of the common oaths that the Jews used in the days when James wrote. In this context, heaven means the place where God lives, and earth means this world where human beings live.

In some languages, it will be natural to translate this phrase as a separate sentence. For example:

Don’t use the name of heaven, earth…to prove what you say (New Century Version)
-or-
Do not swear by using anything in heaven or on earth to support your words

5:12d

or by any other oath: The phrase or by any other oath means “do not swear by using anything else as a witness that you are telling the truth.”

5:12e

Simply let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no: This clause implies that when you talk:

(a) You should not add any oaths to your words. A simple “yes” or “no” is sufficient.

(b) You should always be honest and tell the truth. You should not lie.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

“Yes” or “No” is all you need to say. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
If you mean yes, say yes. If you mean no, say no. (God’s Word)
-or-
Speak the truth without an oath. Say only “yes” when you mean “yes” and say only “no” when you mean “no.”

5:12f

so that you will not fall under judgment: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as so that you will not fall under judgment indicates the basis for what James wrote in 5:12a–d.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

otherwise, you^(plur) will be condemned
-or-
If you say anything more, you will be condemned. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
and then you will not come under God’s judgment (Good News Translation)

In other words, if you follow James’ advice, God will not condemn you on the Day of Judgment. This is because a person who is in the habit of swearing oaths will sooner or later break his promise or tell a lie. So he will be guilty of using God’s name in an unacceptable way.

fall under judgment: The Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as fall under judgment mean “be declared/judged guilty” of having done something wrong. This also includes the idea that the person will be punished for doing wrong. But “judgment” here does not refer to eternal condemnation and punishment in hell.

Some other ways to translate this are:

be judged guilty (New Century Version)
-or-
be pronounced/declared guilty of sin

© 2012 by SIL International®

Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

1:11a

For: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For introduces a more detailed explanation of what was said in 1:10b. Do not translate this verse as if it were the reason for 1:10b. It further explains 1:10b, but it is not a reason. Some English versions do not translate this conjunction.

the sun rises with scorching heat: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as scorching heat refers to heat that is so great that it causes plants to die.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

The sun rises with burning heat (New Century Version)
-or-
the sun becomes high and scorches
-or-
the sun becomes hot and burns

1:11b

and withers: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as withers means “dries up.” In Israel, the rainy period ends early in the year. After that, there are no more clouds, and the sun is so hot that flowers dry up and die quickly.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

causes to dry up
-or-
causes to die
-or-
kills

the plant: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as plant may refer to any plant with flowers on it.

1:11c

its flower: The word flower refers to the flower of the plant.

falls: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as falls refers to when a flower “drops” or “falls off” its stem to the ground. For example:

The flowers drop off (God’s Word)
-or-
the plants lose their blossoms

1:11d

its beauty is lost: The phrase its beauty is lost means that “the plant’s beauty is gone.”

In some languages, it is not possible to talk about something abstract like beauty being lost. If that is true in your language, you may be able to use an adjective form and say:

It is no longer beautiful at all.
-or-
what was lovely to look at is lost for ever (Revised English Bible)

is lost: This is a passive verb. It is the heat of the sun that destroys the beauty of the flowers. So there are at least two ways to translate this:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

is destroyed (New American Standard Bible)

• Use an active verb. For example:

the heat destroys its beauty
-or-
the sun causes it to lose its beauty

• Use an intransitive verb. For example:

its beauty is gone (New Century Version)
-or-
its beauty fades away (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))

General Comment on 1:10b–11d

James was talking about wild flowers in general, not one specific blossom or plant. So in some languages, it may be natural to use plural forms. For example:

10b–11bRich people will disappear like wild flowers scorched by the burning heat of the sun. 11cThe flowers lose their blossoms, 11dand their beauty is destroyed. (Contemporary English Version)

1:11e

So too: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So too introduces an explanation of how rich people will fade away like flowers.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

So also (NET Bible)
-or-
The same thing will happen to (God’s Word)

the rich man: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as the rich man is the same as the phrase translated “the one who is rich” in 1:10a. There it referred to the rich brother/believer. James was probably still thinking of the rich brother/believer, but what he says is true of all rich people. You can translate this either as “rich brother/believer” or as “rich man/person.”

This phrase does not refer to one specific rich man. It refers to all rich people. To make this clear, it may be best to translate this with a plural. For example:

rich people (God’s Word)

will fade away: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as will fade away refers to a plant withering and dying. James used this verb to show how rich people will fade away like wild flowers. They will die and lose all the things that made people admire them, just as a flower loses its beauty when it dies. After that, people do not pay attention to them any longer.

If it is not natural in your language to talk about a person “fading,” you can say:

will die (New Century Version)
-or-
will end up being nothing

1:11f

in the midst of his pursuits: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as in the midst of his pursuits here means, “while he is doing his normal activities.” James was probably thinking of the rich man’s daily business activities such as trading.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

while they are still taking care of business (New Century Version)
-or-
while he is busy working
-or-
while he is earning money

General Comment on 1:11e–f

In some languages, it will be more natural to change the order of some of the clauses in this verse. For example:

^11eIt will be the same with the rich person also. ^11fWhile he is busy at his work, ^11ehe will die.

© 2012 by SIL International®

Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

2:17

In 2:17, James stated the lesson he was trying to teach in the illustration in 2:15–16.

2:17a

So too: The phrase So too introduces the general principle that 2:16 illustrates. Words of greeting are of no help to a cold and hungry man unless we also give him what he needs. So also, our faith is of no value unless we also do good deeds for God.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

So also (NET Bible)
-or-
Even so (King James Version)
-or-
So it is with faith (Good News Translation)
-or-
Likewise

faith by itself: The word faith in this context refers to the act of trusting in or relying on Jesus Christ (as in 2:14b). The phrase by itself means “when faith is alone.” This indicates that a person only believes, but he has no deeds to accompany his belief.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

faith alone
-or-
only/just trusting

In some languages, it is more natural to use a verb instead of the noun faith. For example:

a person just trusts
-or-
you only believe in Jesus

2:17b

if it does not result in action: This phrase means that the person does not also do good deeds that show that he believes in Jesus. Instead, he behaves the same way as people who do not believe in Jesus.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

if that faith does not cause him to do any good deeds
-or-
if he does not also do things which show that his faith/trust is genuine
-or-
if he fails to show that he believes by what he does

2:17c

is dead: The phrase is dead is a metaphor. James meant that the person’s faith had no power to do anything and so was of no use. (Compare 2:14.) There are several ways to translate this phrase:

• Keep the metaphor. For example:

is dead (NET Bible)
-or-
has no life in it

• Use a simile. For example:

is as if dead
-or-
is like a dead thing

• Use a simile with a word that explains the metaphor. For example:

is powerless as if dead
-or-
is as useless as a dead thing

• Use a word or phrase that explains the metaphor. For example:

is powerless
-or-
is useless
-or-
is unable to do anything
-or-
he does not truly trust in God

General Comment on 2:17a–c

In some languages, it may be natural to change the order of the clauses in 2:17. For example:

^17aIn the same way, faith by itself ^17cis dead ^17bif it doesn’t cause you to do any good things. (God’s Word)

© 2012 by SIL International®

Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

Paragraph 4:7–10

In this paragraph, James gave a series of exhortations or commands on how to get back into a proper relationship with God. He said that his readers should turn back to God and submit to him.

The exhortations in this paragraph are all plural. They are general and are addressed to everyone to whom James was writing.

4:7a

Submit yourselves, then, to God: The clause Submit yourselves…to God means “Put yourselves under God’s control,” “Accept God’s authority,” or “Surrender to God.” For example:

Surrender to God! (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
place yourselves under God’s authority (God’s Word)

then: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as then introduces a new paragraph. In this new paragraph, James gave many exhortations (or commands). These exhortations are based on all that James said in this chapter up to this point.

Some other ways to introduce these exhortations are:

So then (Good News Translation)
-or-
therefore (Revised Standard Version)

In many languages, this conjunction should come at the beginning of the sentence.

4:7b–c

In Greek, 4:7b–c begins with the conjunction that indicates a contrast. The contrast is between what we should do for God and what we should do in regard to Satan. One way to translate this contrast is:

But resist the devil (NET Bible)

In some languages, no conjunction is necessary here.

4:7b

Resist: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Resist means “Oppose” or “Stand firmly against” the enemy. This means that we should not listen to or yield to the devil’s temptations. Resist is the opposite of “submit.”

Some other ways to translate this word are:

Oppose
-or-
Do not obey
-or-
Refuse to do what the devil wants you to do
-or-
Fight

the devil: The phrase the devil refers to Satan, the leader of the evil spirits. You may already have a word in your language that describes the supreme evil being. If not, some other ways to translate this word are:

Satan
-or-
the leader/chief of the demons
-or-
the supremely bad/evil one
-or-
the enemy of God

4:7c

he will flee from you: The clause he will flee from you is a metaphor. In this metaphor, Satan is compared to a human enemy. They are similar in that both will flee if you resist them.

There are at least two ways to translate this metaphor:

• Keep the metaphor. For example:

he will run away from you (Good News Translation)

• Translate the meaning without the metaphor. For example:

he will soon stop tempting you

© 2012 by SIL International®

Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

Paragraph 1:22–25

Believers must not forget the word of God that they had heard. They must do/obey it.

1:22

In 1:22, there are three clauses in Greek. The Berean Standard Bible follows the Greek order but some other English versions change the Greek order of these clauses. Compare the order of the clauses in the Berean Standard Bible and New International Version (2011 Revision) below.

^22aBe doers of the word, ^22band not hearers only, ^22c…deceiving yourselves. (Berean Standard Bible)

^22bDo not merely listen to the word, ^22cand so deceive yourselves. ^22aDo what it says. (New International Version (2011 Revision))

You should arrange the clauses in 1:22 in a way that is natural in your language. See the General Comment at the end of 1:22c for more discussion on reordering these clauses.

In Greek, this verse begins with a conjunction that means “But” in some contexts. Some English versions have translated it as “But” here. However, in this context, it is not indicating a contrast. It simply introduces the next point about the “word.” So, in many languages, no conjunction is necessary here.

1:22a

Be doers of the word: The clause Be doers of the word refers to those who always do what God’s word tells them to do. Such people put the word’s teaching into practice and regularly obey its commands.

Translate this clause in such a way that the action is habitual, repeated action.

Some other ways to translate this are:

Do what it says (New International Version (2011 Revision))
-or-
put it into practice (Good News Translation)
-or-
obey God’s message (Contemporary English Version)

the word: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the word refers to the gospel.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

God’s word (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
-or-
God’s message

The same word occurs in 1:18a and 1:21c.

1:22b

and not hearers only: The clause and not hearers only indicates that it is not enough to just listen to someone preaching or reading from the word of God.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

Do not only be hearers of the word
-or-
don’t just listen to God’s word (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
-or-
You must do more than just hear God’s word/message
-or-
Do not limit yourselves to just hearing the gospel

Be careful not to translate this in a way that implies that it is not good to listen to the word.

not hearers only: The phrase hearers only refers to those who only hear the gospel teaching. They never do what it tells them to do.

In many languages, the usual word for “hear” includes the idea of obeying. If this is so in your language, be careful here to use an expression that describes hearing without obeying.

1:22c

Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as deceiving yourselves can also be translated as “fool yourselves.” It refers to wrong thinking that leads a person astray. Anyone who just listens to the message of the gospel but does not obey its commands is mistaken if he thinks that God is pleased.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

or you will fool yourselves (God’s Word)
-or-
and lie to yourselves

General Comment on 1:22a–c

In Greek and the Berean Standard Bible, a clause with a positive command (“Be doers of the word”) comes first. This is followed by a clause with a negative command (“do not only be hearers”). The New International Version (2011 Revision) reverses the order of the positive and negative commands. Use the order that is most natural in your language.

Another possible way to translate the verse is:

He who hears the word and does not do what it says is deceiving himself. Therefore you should be people who both hear and do, not people who only hear.

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.