Bible Strands
James 1:22
Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — James writes to Jewish believers in the diaspora, positioning this verse as the hinge between accepting the word (v.21) and the mirror illustration that follows (v.23).
The words — poiētai (doers) is a noun, implying a sustained identity rather than a single act; akroatai (hearers) is a rare NT term denoting passive, audience-style listening, sharpening the contrast.
The thread — The same hearer/doer divide appears in Romans 2:13 (righteousness belongs to doers of the law, not hearers), Luke 6:46 (calling Jesus "Lord" without doing what he says), and John 13:17 (blessedness is conditioned on doing what is known).
Why it lands — It asks the reader to treat the word as something to be enacted, not consumed; hearing without doing is not ignorance but self-deception.
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
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Cross-references
- Romans 2:13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but it is the doers of the law who will be declared righteous.
- Luke 6:46 Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ but do not do what I say?
- John 13:17 If you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
- James 4:17 Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin.
- 1 John 2:3 By this we can be sure that we have come to know Him: if we keep His commandments.
- Luke 11:28 But He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
- James 2:14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
- Matthew 12:50 For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”
- Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
- Matthew 7:21 Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven.