James 4:17

Therefore. James here refers specifically to the issue of the immediately preceding verses, that is, the forming of plans for the future. No religious truth is so commonly taught in the Scriptures as that of the uncertainty of life and the tragedy of a life not surrendered to God, yet there are few faiths so universally disregarded.

Knoweth. See on John 13:17.

Good. That is, in contrast with evil (v. 16). The parable of the Talents illustrates this general principle (Matt. 25:14-30).

Doeth it not. Those who are “hearers” only and not “doers” show that their religion is “vain” (see on James 1:23, 26). A perverted faith trusts in knowledge only and proves its falsity when it avoids deeds that sincere faith would gladly do (see on James 2:17, 20, 26). This is also a rebuke to men who avoid further study of God’s Word because further knowledge would increase their personal obligation.

Sin. The plea that one has done no harm will be an insufficient excuse in the day of judgment for men such as the slothful servant (see on Matt. 25:27). Deliberate evasion of known duty is forthright rebellion against the will of God. This fact amplifies the difficulty confronting the “double minded” man (see on James 1:8), the pseudoreligious man (see on ch. 1:26), the man of dead faith (see on ch. 2:17, 20), and the “earthly” man (see on ch. 3:15). All these characteristics of imperfect church members are the result of incomplete commitment to a full performance of the commandments of God. They vacillate between what they know they ought to do and what they personally wish to do (see James 4:17), with the result that they “miss the mark” of unreserved submission to the will of God.