Devine Scripture

James 1:14

What does James 1:14 mean?

A plain-English look at James 1:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What James 1:14 means

James locates temptation’s origin within: each person is tempted when dragged away and enticed by his own desire. The imagery is vivid—like bait luring prey. Our desires, disordered and untamed, pull us toward sin. The problem is not desire in itself but desire turned inward and away from God’s will. This personalizes temptation; it is not merely external pressure but an inner attraction we must resist. Recognizing this helps believers guard their hearts, seek wisdom, and cultivate godly desires through the Word and prayer. We cannot blame circumstances or others; the battle lies in what we love and choose.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

but each man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

but each man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But every man is tested when he is turned out of the right way by the attraction of his desire.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and each one is tempted, by his own desires being led away and enticed,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But every man is tempted by his own concupiscence, being drawn away and allured.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But every one is tempted, drawn away, and enticed by his own lust;

Context

Expanding the denial that God tempts (verse 13), this verse explains the mechanics of temptation. It sets up the moral sequence that follows in verse 15—desire conceives sin, and sin, when grown, brings death. The flow presses urgency: unchecked desire leads somewhere. Soon James will contrast this destructive chain with God’s unchanging generosity and life-giving Word (verses 17–18), showing a different source and outcome.

v.13Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempteth no man:

v.14This passage

v.15Then the lust, when it hath conceived, beareth sin: and the sin, when it is fullgrown, bringeth forth death.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 5:28

    but I say unto you, that every one that looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

  • Isaiah 44:20

    He feedeth on ashes; a deceived heart hath turned him aside; and he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?

  • Proverbs 4:23

    Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life.

  • Joshua 7:21

    when I saw among the spoil a goodly Babylonish mantle, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.

  • Hebrews 3:13

    but exhort one another day by day, so long as it is called To-day; lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin:

  • Romans 7:13

    Did then that which is good become death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might be shown to be sin, by working death to me through that which is good;—that through the commandment sin might become exceeding sinful.

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