James 1:24

24 Although he has looked carefully at himself, he goes away, and has immediately forgotten the sort of man he is.

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 But prove yourselves obedient to the Message, and do not be mere hearers of it, imposing a delusion upon yourselves.

23 For if any one listens but does not obey, he is like a man who carefully looks at his own face in a mirror.

24 Although he has looked carefully at himself, he goes away, and has immediately forgotten the sort of man he is.

25 But he who looks closely into the perfect Law--the Law of freedom--and continues looking, he, being not a hearer who forgets, but an obedient doer, will as the result of his obedience be blessed.

26 If a man thinks that he is scrupulously religious, although he is not curbing his tongue but is deceiving himself, his religious service is worthless.