James 1:16
James 1:16 in Multiple Translations
Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.
Do not err, my beloved brethren.
Be not deceived, my beloved brethren.
Do not be turned from the right way, dear brothers.
My dear friends, don't be deceived.
Erre not, my deare brethren.
Be not led astray, my brethren beloved;
Don’t be deceived, my beloved brothers.
Do not err, my beloved brethren.
Do not err, therefore, my dearest brethren.
My fellow believers whom I love, stop deceiving yourselves, thinking that God does evil things.
Don’t let anybody trick you, my Christian friends.
Berean Amplified Bible — James 1:16
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James 1:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Greek Word Reference — James 1:16
Study Notes — James 1:16
- Context
- Cross References
- James 1:16 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on James 1:16
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on James 1:16
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on James 1:16
- Trapp's Commentary on James 1:16
- Ellicott's Commentary on James 1:16
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on James 1:16
- Cambridge Bible on James 1:16
- Barnes' Notes on James 1:16
- Whedon's Commentary on James 1:16
- Sermons on James 1:16
Context — Good and Perfect Gifts
16Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.
17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow. 18He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creation.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Galatians 6:7 | Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. |
| 2 | James 1:19 | My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, |
| 3 | 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. |
| 4 | 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. |
| 5 | Colossians 2:4 | I say this so that no one will deceive you by smooth rhetoric. |
| 6 | Hebrews 13:1 | Continue in brotherly love. |
| 7 | Mark 12:24 | Jesus said to them, “Aren’t you mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God? |
| 8 | 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? |
| 9 | 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. |
| 10 | Mark 12:27 | He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!” |
James 1:16 Summary
James 1:16 is a warning from James to his fellow believers to not be deceived by the lies of the enemy. This means that we should be careful not to believe things that are not true, especially when it comes to sin and its consequences (as seen in James 1:14-15). We can trust in God's goodness and love for us, as expressed in James 1:17-18, and remember that every good gift comes from Him (as also seen in Matthew 7:11). By staying rooted in God's word and seeking His wisdom, we can avoid being deceived and live a life that is pleasing to Him (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of deception is James warning against in James 1:16?
James is warning against the deception of thinking that sin is harmless or that its consequences are not severe, as seen in the progression from temptation to death in James 1:14-15, and as also warned against in Proverbs 14:12 and 1 Corinthians 10:12.
Who is James addressing as 'my beloved brothers' in James 1:16?
James is addressing all believers, as indicated by the term 'brothers', which in the New Testament often refers to fellow Christians, such as in Romans 1:13 and 1 Corinthians 1:10.
How can we avoid being deceived according to James 1:16 and other scriptures?
We can avoid being deceived by being rooted in the word of God, as in Psalm 119:105, and by being mindful of our own sinful desires, as in James 1:14-15, and also by seeking wisdom from God, as in James 1:5.
Is James 1:16 related to other warnings against deception in the Bible?
Yes, James 1:16 is part of a larger theme of warning against deception in the Bible, as seen in Ephesians 4:14, 2 Corinthians 11:3, and Matthew 24:4-5, where believers are warned against being deceived by false teachings and false prophets.
Reflection Questions
- What are some common deceptions that I may be prone to in my own life, and how can I recognize and resist them?
- How does the love of God, as expressed in James 1:16-18, help me to overcome the deceptions of the enemy and to trust in His goodness?
- In what ways do I need to be more mindful of my own thoughts and desires, in order to avoid being lured away by sin, as warned against in James 1:14-15?
- How can I cultivate a deeper trust in God's goodness and a greater awareness of His presence in my life, in order to avoid being deceived by the lies of the enemy?
Gill's Exposition on James 1:16
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on James 1:16
Matthew Poole's Commentary on James 1:16
Trapp's Commentary on James 1:16
Ellicott's Commentary on James 1:16
Adam Clarke's Commentary on James 1:16
Cambridge Bible on James 1:16
Barnes' Notes on James 1:16
Whedon's Commentary on James 1:16
Sermons on James 1:16
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Attributes of God (Series 2): The Immutability of God by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the unchanging nature of God and His Word. He highlights that while everything in the world may change, God remains constant. The preacher e |
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Audio Sermon: Don't Be Deceived by Bob Jennings | This sermon emphasizes the theme of deception, warning against being misled in spiritual matters and the importance of not being deceived by sin, riches, false teachings, or hypocr |
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Doing the Will of God From the Heart by G.W. North | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of knowing and following the will of God. He encourages the audience to read through the New Testament and take note of every |
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The Will of God by G.W. North | In this sermon, the preacher begins by emphasizing that God is strong, glorious, tender, and has revealed his will for our lives. He then moves on to discuss the epistle of James, |
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An Epistle on Good Order. by John Banks | In this sermon on deception, the preacher delves into the Greek word 'planao' meaning 'to wander astray', emphasizing how various influences like false teachers, signs, and even on |
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God Enjoys Giving! by Theodore Epp | Theodore Epp emphasizes that God is the ultimate giver of all good gifts, as highlighted in James 1:16-18. He warns against the serious error of doubting God's goodness, reminding |
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(People God Uses) 03 Beware of Ambition by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal experience of being hindered in worship by people standing in front of him during a church service. He emphasizes the importance of no |






