Scripture · New Testament
James 4:17
James 4:17 is verse 17 of James chapter 4, shown here in the Berean Standard Bible.
Berean Standard Bible
Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin.
King James Version
Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
World English Bible
To him therefore who knows to do good and doesn’t do it, to him it is sin.
Read in context
James 4:15–17 · Berean Standard Bible
15 Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.”
16 As it is, you boast in your proud intentions. All such boasting is evil.
17 Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin.
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Cross-references
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge lists these related verses. Scripture text comes from the Berean Standard Bible.
Luke 12:47That servant who knows his master’s will but does not get ready or follow his instructions will be beaten with many blows.
Luke 12:48But 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.
John 9:41“If you were blind,” Jesus replied, “you would not be guilty of sin. But since you claim you can see, your guilt remains.”
John 13:17If you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
John 15:22If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin.
Romans 1:20For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.
Romans 1:21For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts.
Romans 1:32Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things are worthy of death, they not only continue to do these things, but also approve of those who practice them.
Romans 2:17Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God;
Romans 2:18if you know His will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law;
Romans 2:19if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those in darkness,
Romans 2:20an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth—
Romans 2:21you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal?
Romans 2:22You who forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?
Romans 2:23You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?
Romans 7:13Did that which is good, then, become death to me? Certainly not! But in order that sin might be exposed as sin, it produced death in me through what was good, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.