Bible Strands
James 1:16
Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — James writes to his readers, whom he explicitly calls "my beloved brothers," immediately after tracing the progression of desire into sin and death.
The words — The Greek imperative πλανᾶσθε (planasthe) literally commands the audience to cease allowing themselves to be misled. James anchors this warning to the address ἀδελφοὶ (adelphoi), meaning brothers, whom he identifies as beloved.
The thread — The identical warning appears in Galatians 6:7 to guard against mocking God, and Colossians 2:8 warns against captivity through empty deception. James 1:19 repeats the "beloved brothers" address to introduce further practical instruction.
Why it lands — The text commands readers to recognize that spiritual error stems from internal deception rather than external blame. It requires immediate self-examination before evaluating God's character or moral accountability.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Do not err, my beloved brethren.
Cross-references
- Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return.
- James 1:19 My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,
- Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ.
- Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
- Colossians 2:4 I say this so that no one will deceive you by smooth rhetoric.
- Hebrews 13:1 Continue in brotherly love.
- 1 Corinthians 6:9 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts,
- Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you must stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.
- 2 Timothy 2:18 who have deviated from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already occurred, and they undermine the faith of some.
- James 2:5 Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him?