YAC 1:15 Interlinear View

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 1:12–18: God does not tempt people to do evil

This section has an opening verse (1:12)Some commentators connect 1:12 to 1:2–11 (Hiebert, for example). Others see 1:12 as a kind of “hinge” that connects 1:2–11 to 1:12–18 (Moo (2000), pages 71–72; McCartney, page 100). They recognize that 1:2–3 and 1:12 form an inclusio, or verbal bracket to 1:2–12 through the repetition in both of three key words: trials (πειρασμοῖς/πειρασμόν), testing (δοκίμιον/δόκιμος), and endurance (ὑπομονήν/ὑπομένει). and two main paragraphs (1:13–15 and 1:16–18). In 1:12 James recalled 1:2–3 and that it was important to persevere in times of trial and temptation. The next paragraph, 1:13–15, points out that it is not God who tempts us but our own sinful desires, which eventually lead to death. Paragraph 1:16–18 reinforces this by saying that God gives only good gifts.

Some other possible headings for this section are:

Christians should endure testing and temptations

Trials and temptations

Paragraph 1:13–15

In this paragraph, James taught that God does not tempt people. Our own sinful desires in our hearts and minds tempt us.

1:15a–d

Verse 1:15 is an extended metaphor. The stages of sin are compared to the stages of a woman having a child. Each stage is described below.

Verse 1:15 is also a personification. This means that “desire” and “sin” are both described as doing things that people normally do.

1:15a

Then after desire has conceived,

Then, it is like his desire becomes pregnant.
Next, after he conceives a plan to sin,
As a result, they decide to do the evil that they desire,

Then: The word Then introduces the result and next logical step after a person is enticed to do wrong. When translating this word, consider how your language speaks of events that normally happen in a set order. Consider how to properly introduce an event that is the result of the one before it.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

As a result

Next

And then

desire has conceived: The clause desire has conceived is both a metaphor and personification. After a person is lured to sin (1:14c), the next step is that he actually decides to sin. This step is compared to conceiving a child.

Some ways to translate this figure of speech are:

Keep the metaphor. For example:
Then desire becomes pregnant (GW)
Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:
Then, it is like the person’s desire becomes pregnant,
Keep the metaphor but not the personification. For example:
Then, he conceives/develops a plan to do what he desires
Translate the meaning. For example:
Then he decides/plans to actually do the evil that he desires

has conceived: The Greek verb that the BSB translates as has conceived refers to the beginning of a woman’s pregnancy. For example:

becomes pregnant (GW)

Use a word or phrase that is appropriate for reading aloud in church and will not offend or embarrass anyone.

1:15b

it gives birth to sin;

Then, it is like the desire gives birth to sin.
sin is born/produced.
then they commit/do the evil/sin.

it gives birth to sin: This clause continues the metaphor and personification. The word it refers to “desire” in 1:15a. In this metaphor, sin is committed. This is compared to giving birth to a child.

Some ways to translate this figure of speech are:

Keep the metaphor. For example:
and gives birth to sin (GW)
the child born to desire is sin
Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:
and it is like a woman who gives birth to sin
Keep the metaphor but not the personification. For example:
sin is born
it produces sin
Translate the meaning. For example:
Next he commits/does the sin

sin: The noun sin refers to any offense against God or another person. Sins include acts, thoughts, and attitudes that are not what God wants or approves.In Greek, the verb that English versions translate as sin is also a term that was used in archery to mean “miss the target.” When a person sins, he “misses” the target, that is, he fails to reach God’s standard. A person can also offend God by not doing what God wants him to do.

It is helpful to translate “sin” with a general term that can include any wrong act that a person does against God. Here are problems to avoid:

The term should not imply that only serious crimes such as murder or stealing are sins. Other offenses such as gossip and greed are also sins.
The term should not include accidents or mistakes that are not against God’s will.

Some ways to translate sin are:

a wrong act

an offense against God

an evil deed

In some languages, it is more natural to express “sin” as a verb. For example:

it causes the person to sin

1:15c

and sin, when it is full-grown,

Then, when the sin also grows/matures,
Then, when he grows up doing the sin,
Then they continue to sin until it becomes habitual and fully developed.

sin, when it is full-grown: This continues the metaphor and personification. When a person continues to sin, it develops or grows into a habit. This is compared to a child becoming mature or fully grown.

Some ways to translate this figure of speech are:

Keep the metaphor. For example:
When sin grows up (GW)
Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:
then it is as if sin grows up
Keep the metaphor but not the personification. For example:
he grows up doing the sin
Translate the meaning. For example:
when he continues to habitually sin

1:15d

gives birth to death.

it is like sin gives birth to death.
he has/gets eternal punishment.
Finally, they die forever.

gives birth to death: This continues the metaphor and personification. When a person continues to sin until it controls him, it will eventually lead to eternal death. This is compared to the grown-up child becoming pregnant and giving birth to a baby of her own. It is the opposite of the life with God mentioned in 1:12c.

Some ways to translate this figure of speech are:

Keep the metaphor. For example:
it gives birth to death. (GW)
Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:
and it is like sin gives birth to death.
Keep the metaphor but not the personification. For example:
and has/gets eternal punishment
Translate the meaning. For example:
and he eventually dies eternally.
and the result is eternal death.

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-time-sequential

εἶτα ἡ ἐπιθυμία συλλαβοῦσα τίκτει ἁμαρτίαν

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Εἶτα ἡ ἐπιθυμία συλλαβοῦσα τίκτει ἁμαρτίαν ἡ δέ ἁμαρτία ἀποτελεσθεῖσα ἀποκύει θάνατον)

James uses the word Then to indicate that what he describes in this verse happens after something that he described in the previous verse. However, he does not mean that this happens after a person is “dragged away and enticed,” as he said at the end of that verse. Rather, he means that it happens after a person begins to entertain the temptation of a wrong “desire,” as he said at the beginning of that verse. It may be helpful to your readers to use the word “when” to indicate this. Alternate translation: [When desire has conceived, it bears sin]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / personification

εἶτα ἡ ἐπιθυμία συλλαβοῦσα τίκτει ἁμαρτίαν

James continues to speak of desire as if it were a living thing, in this case as if it were a woman who became pregnant and gave birth. Alternate translation: [If a person entertains wrong desires, he will become more and more inclined to sin until he finally does commit sin]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / personification

ἡ δὲ ἁμαρτία ἀποτελεσθεῖσα, ἀποκύει θάνατον

the ¬the (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Εἶτα ἡ ἐπιθυμία συλλαβοῦσα τίκτει ἁμαρτίαν ἡ δέ ἁμαρτία ἀποτελεσθεῖσα ἀποκύει θάνατον)

James also speaks of sin as if it were a living thing, a baby girl who grew up to be a woman who also became pregnant and gave birth. Alternate translation: [and if he continues to sin, it will affect more and more of his life until it causes his death]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἀποκύει θάνατον

˓is˒_bringing_forth death

Here, death could mean: (1) spiritual death, that is, separation from God. This is the interpretation in UST. (2) physical death. Alternate translation: [causes the person to die]

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.

Acknowledgements: The SR Greek text, lemmas, morphology, and VLT gloss are all thanks to the CNTR.

OET interlinear YAC (JAM) 1:15

SR Greek word order

Section 1:12–18: God does not tempt people to do evil

Paragraph 1:13–15

1:15a–d

1:15a

1:15b

1:15c

1:15d

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)