James 1:24

24 who looks at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

James 1:24 Meaning and Commentary

James 1:24

For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way
He takes a slight glance of himself, and departs:

and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was;
he forgets either his spots, blemishes, and imperfections; or his comeliness and beauty; the features of his face, be they comely or not: so a bare hearer of the word, who is not concerned to practise what he hears, while he is hearing, he observes some things amiss in himself, and some excellencies in Christ; but, when the discourse is over, he goes his way, and thinks no more of either.

James 1:24 In-Context

22 Don't deceive yourselves by only hearing what the Word says, but do it!

23 For whoever hears the Word but doesn't do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror,

24 who looks at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

25 But if a person looks closely into the perfect Torah, which gives freedom, and continues, becoming not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work it requires, then he will be blessed in what he does.

26 Anyone who thinks he is religiously observant but does not control his tongue is deceiving himself, and his observance counts for nothing.