James 1:24

24 studies his features, 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 Do what God's word says. Don't merely listen to it, or you will fool yourselves.

23 If someone listens to God's word but doesn't do what it says, he is like a person who looks at his face in a mirror,

24 studies his features, goes away, and immediately forgets what he looks like.

25 However, the person who continues to study God's perfect teachings that make people free and who remains committed to them will be blessed. People like that don't merely listen and forget; they actually do what God's teachings say.

26 If a person thinks that he is religious but can't control his tongue, he is fooling himself. That person's religion is worthless.