James 1:14

14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.

James 1:14 in Other Translations

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

14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.

14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.

14 The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust.

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

14 Everyone is tempted by his own desires as they lure him away and trap him.

14 But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desires.

14 But your own evil longings tempt you. They lead you on and drag you away.

James 1:14 Meaning and Commentary

James 1:14

But every man is tempted
To sin, and he falls in with the temptation, and by it,

when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed;
the metaphor is taken either from fishes, who are enticed by the bait, and drawn out by the hook; or from a lascivious woman, who meeting with a young man, entices him, and draws him away after her to commit iniquity with her: by "lust" is meant the principle of corrupt nature, which has its residence in the heart of man; is natural and hereditary to him, and therefore is called his own; he is conceived and shapen in it; he brings it into the world with him, and it continues in him, and is called his own heart's lust, ( Romans 1:24 ) . Now this meeting with some bait, which entices and draws it out, or with some external object, which promises pleasure or profit, a man is allured, and ensnared, and drawn away by it, and so the temptation begins: thus, for instance, covetousness was the predominant lust in Judas; this meeting with an external object, or objects, which promised him profit, he is at once enticed and drawn away to betray his Lord and master for the sake of it: so sin often promises pleasure, though it is but an imaginary, and a short lived one; which takes with a man's own lust, and corruption within him, and so he is allured and drawn aside; and to this, and not to God, should he attribute temptation to sin.

James 1:14 In-Context

12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;

14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.

15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters.

Cross References

• 1. Proverbs 19:3