James 1:14 Meaning and Explanation
“But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Temptation arises when a person is drawn away and lured by his own desire.
What Does James 1:14 Mean?
James locates the true source of temptation: each person is tempted when drawn away and enticed by his own desire. The words drawn away and enticed are images from hunting and fishing, the bait that lures a creature from safety and the hook hidden inside it.
The desire is described as one's own, native to the heart and not imposed from outside. Sin begins not with the temptation itself but with the inward pull that finds the bait attractive. This is a humbling diagnosis, for it removes every excuse. Yet it is also hopeful, for the One who knows the heart can change it, and the desire that lures can be brought, over time, under the rule of Christ.
James 1:14 in the Original Language
epithymia (ἐπιθυμία), 'lust' -- strong desire or craving, here the inward longing that draws toward sin.
Frequently Asked Questions About James 1:14
What does James 1:14 mean?
Temptation arises when a person is drawn away and lured by his own desire.