James 4:17Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Again he begins to speak of vain arrogance, which is usually born of pride. As though bringing the discourse to a conclusion, he says that vainglory is evil. If it is evil, then it undoubtedly comes from the evil one.

But those who through holy Baptism have given themselves to the Lord must not accept what is sown by the evil one.

He also adds this: “To him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” Again he instructs the false teachers not to dare to teach what they have not first fulfilled themselves.

For it is said that blessed is not the one who teaches, but the one who does and teaches (Mt 5:19). Deeds must precede words, and by them the righteous man proclaims the faith he shows forth.

Is it therefore not sin for the one who does not know how to do good and so does not do it? Certainly it is sin. But the sin of the one who knows and does not do is heavier.

Let us always conduct ourselves as those “instructed in heart unto wisdom” (Ps 89:12), unceasingly breathing Jesus Christ, the power of God the Father and the Wisdom of God.

If, through some circumstance, we fall away and grow negligent in this noetic work, then on the following morning let us again gird well the loins of our mind. Let us take up our work more firmly, knowing that there is no excuse for us.

We know “to do good,” and if we do not do it, we have no justification.

Works must precede the word. For the righteous man proclaims faith testified by works.

According to Saint Mitrophanes, the meaning of this saying is as follows. If you are a Christian, and you know and confess that you were created by God, and that without the will and help of God you cannot accomplish any good thing, then in all your works first of all call upon your Creator and His help.

Without Him, do not desire absolutely to do or say anything. Whether you eat or drink, keep vigil or sleep, walk or trade, or, to speak simply, in all your affairs, ask God to work together with you.

He said: “Without Me you can do nothing” (Jn 15:5). For if you know of some thing that it is useful and good, and you can do it but do not, then you have sin.

The Apostle concludes these warnings, rebukes, and exhortations with the general thought that whoever knows how to do good and does not do it sins, and therefore is accountable. A sin of ignorance sometimes frees a man from accountability and is not imputed to him, as though it were not sin. But if a man knows the will of God and does not fulfill it, he is an accountable sinner. This is the same as Christ Himself said more than once (Lk 12:47 and following; Jn 15:22; cf. note).

Having reproved those who sin through self-assurance and knowingly, as though counting sin for nothing, the Apostle at the end of the chapter teaches good Christians to do good with awareness of its goodness.

“That servant who knew his master’s will, and was not ready, nor did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes,” says Christ Himself, our Lawgiver (Lk 12:47).

The Apostle’s conclusion is brief, but powerful. The tone here is compressed and sharp, revealing the Apostle’s great displeasure with various violators of the Christian law.

Therefore the readers of the Epistle could clearly see that they cannot continue with impunity a life surrendered to worldly lusts. They must dedicate it wholly to God.