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NASB | James 1:22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | James 1:22 But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God's precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth]. |
Subject: don't just listen to gods word but do |
Bible Note: This verse is the heart of what James is trying to get across. The book of James has long been in dispute. Martin Luther denounced it for two reasons: (1) It didn't "reflect Christ," and (2) It seems to contradict Paul's message to the Judaizers in Galatians. Careful study on that this matter will show this is not the case in either instance. That James puts significance on active Christianity is reminiscent of Jesus himself, who preached the same message at the end of the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 6:24-27). Though not explicitly stated, I believe that this a common motif that appears in most, if not all of the epistles. As James says, faith without works is dead. One should build the other up, which edifies the faithful Christian. I hope this helps. |