---
title: "James 4:17"
description: "Sin includes not only doing wrong but failing to do the known right. If one knows justice should be established for the unborn now and instead pursues a policy that leaves them unprotected, that knowing omission is, by James's definition, sin."
type: "scripture"
book: "James"
chapter: 4
verses: "17"
translation: "NASB"
refutes: "Pro-life incrementalism"
affirms_abolition: true
themes:
  - "sins of omission"
  - "knowing the right"
  - "incrementalism as sin"
  - "responsibility"
source_url: "https://www.abhortion.org/scripture/james-4-17.html"
---

# James 4:17

Book of James · Chapter 4

## The text

> Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.
> — James 4:17, NASB

**The claim this verse counters:** "Incrementalism is merely a different strategy, not a sin."

## The argument

Sin includes not only doing wrong but failing to do the known right. If one knows justice should be established for the unborn now and instead pursues a policy that leaves them unprotected, that knowing omission is, by James's definition, sin.

## Context & notes

Supplement supporting the talk's thesis that pro-life incrementalism is sin (not just suboptimal strategy). Pairs with Romans 14:23 ('whatever is not from faith is sin') and Proverbs 29:25 ('the fear of man brings a snare').

## Themes

- sins of omission
- knowing the right
- incrementalism as sin
- responsibility

## Discussion questions

1. If someone knows justice for the unborn is right, does declining to pursue it fall under James 4:17?
2. How does 'sins of omission' reframe the claim that incrementalism is 'just strategy'?

## Related

**Related scriptures:**

- [Romans 14:23](romans-14-23.md)
- [Proverbs 29:25](proverbs-29-25.md)
- [1 Samuel 15:22-23](1-samuel-15-22-23.md)

**Related arguments:**

- [“Reasonable Christians can disagree on strategy; calling pro-life incrementalism 'sin' is…”](../arguments/def-incrementalism-not-sin.md)
- [Immediatism — dealing with sin fully and now — is the biblical pattern; gradual toleration is not](../arguments/arg-immediatism-biblical.md)

## Attribution

Verse text is quoted from the NASB. Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB), Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org