James 1:14
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But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Every man, when tempted, is so through being drawn away of (again here, as in Jam 1:13, the Greek for "of" expresses the actual source, rather than the agent of temptation) his own lust. The cause of sin is in ourselves. Even Satan's suggestions do not endanger us before they are made our own. Each one has his own peculiar (so the Greek) lust, arising from his own temperament and habit. Lust flows from the original birth-sin in man, inherited from Adam. drawn away--the beginning step in temptation: drawn away from truth and virtue. enticed--literally, "taken with a bait," as fish are. The further progress: the man allowing himself (as the Greek middle voice implies) to be enticed to evil [BENGEL]. "Lust" is here personified as the harlot that allures the man.
Open source ↗After the inscription and salutation (Jam 1:1) Christians are taught how to conduct themselves when under the cross. Several graces and duties are recommended; and those who endure their trials and afflictions as the apostle here directs are pronounced blessed and are assured of a glorious reward (Jam 1:2-12). But those sins which bring sufferings, or the weakness and faults men are chargeable with under them, are by no means to be imputed to God, who cannot be the author of sin, but is the author of all good (Jam 1:13-18). All passion, and rash anger, and vile affections, ought to be suppressed. The word of God should be made our chief study: and what we hear and know of it we must take care to practise, otherwise our religion will prove but a vain thing. To this is added an account wherein pure religion consists (Jam 1:19-27).
Open source ↗1:14 Like hooks for fishing or traps for hunting, desires . . . entice us into sin and drag us away from faithfulness to God.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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to put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;
But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these things defile a man.
But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.
Did 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.
But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
He feeds on ashes. His deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, “Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?”
Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time.
For sin, seizing its opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through the commandment put me to death.
If my heart has been enticed by my neighbor’s wife, or I have lurked at his door,