James 1:12-14 NIV

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - James 1:14

But every man is tempted - Successfully solicited to sin, when he is drawn away of his own lust - when, giving way to the evil propensity of his own heart, he does that to which he is solicited by the enemy of his soul. Among the rabbins we find some fine sayings on this subject. In Midrash hanaalam, fol. 20, and Yalcut Rubeni, fol. 17, it is said: "This is the custom of evil concupiscence, הרע יצר yetser hara : To-day it saith, Do this; to-morrow, Worship an idol. The man goes and... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - James 1:12

Verse 12 12Blessed is the man. After having applied consolation, he moderated the sorrow of those who were severely handled in this world, and again humbled the arrogance of the great. He now draws this conclusion, that they are happy who magnanimously endure troubles and other trials, so as to rise above them. The word temptation may indeed be otherwise understood, even for the stings of lusts which annoy the soul within; but which is here commended, as I think, is fortitude of mind in... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - James 1:13

Verse 13 13Let no man, when he is tempted. Here, no doubt, he speaks of another kind of temptation. It is abundantly evident that the external temptations, hitherto mentioned, are sent to us by God. In this way God tempted Abraham, (Genesis 22:1,) and daily tempts us, that is, he tries us as to what are we by laying before us an occasion by which our hearts are made known. But to draw out what is hid in our hearts is a far different thing from inwardly alluring our hearts by wicked lusts. He... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - James 1:14

Verse 14 14When he is drawn away by his own lust. As the inclination and excitement to sin are inward, in vain does the sinner seek an cause from an external impulse. At the same time these two effects of lust ought to be noticed — that it ensnares us by its allurements, and that it does us away; each of which is sufficient to render us guilty. (106) He is in the first drawn off from the line of duty, and then he is caught by something that is pleasing and plausible, but like the bait, it has... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:2-18

THE SUBJECT OF TEMPTATION . This section may be subdivided as follows:— read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:9-12

The only true ground for boasting. High and low, rich and poor, can glory in their Christian exaltation. "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ," said St. Paul; and, referring to that same cross, the Savior said, "I, if I he lifted up, will draw all men unto me." Thus the cross forms part of the "lifting up," the "exaltation" in which the Christian is to glory. " Per crucem ad lucem. " Our Christian privileges cannot be separated from our Christian... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:12-15

The natural history of evil. In the previous part of the chapter James has spoken of "temptation" in the general sense of "trial," and as coming mainly in connection with outward circumstances. In this passage he proceeds to speak of it in the sense in which the word is now ordinarily used, as meaning only internal trial by solicitation to sin. Verse 12 marks the transition from the one sense to the other, and predicates "blessedness" of "the man that endureth temptation" in either form. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:12-18

Return to the subject of temptation. James 1:2 taught that temptation regarded as an opportunity should be a cause for joy. James 1:12 teaches that the endurance of temptation brings a blessing from God, even the crown of life. Comp. Revelation 2:10 , the only other place in the New Testament where the "crown of life" is mentioned; and there also it stands in close connection with the endurance of temptation. Elsewhere we read of the "crown of righteousness" ( 2 Timothy 4:8 ),... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:12-18

Temptation and its history. We are carried back by the first word to our Lord's pronouncement of the Beatitudes in the sermon on the mount. And here, as there, we are confronted with paradox. The words of the earlier Beatitudes had doubtless come with a shock of astonishment to many, who listened for statements that should accord with their carnal life. "Blessed are"—the proud, the strong, the conquering? Nay; but "the poor in spirit, the mourners, the meek, the merciful ones." So now.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:13

God is not the author of temptation; cf. Ecclesiasticus 15:11, 12, " Say not thou, It is through the Lord that I fell away: for thou oughtest not to do the things that he hateth. Say not thou, He hath caused me to err: for he hath no need of the sinful man." From God ; ἀπὸ θεοῦ (the article is wanting in א , A, B, C, K, L). Contrast ὑπὸ τῆς ἰδίας ἐπιθυμίας . ἀπὸ θεοῦ is a more general expression than ὑπὸ θεοῦ , which would refer the temptation immediately to... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - James 1:14

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - James 1:12

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - James 1:13

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - James 1:14

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:2-18

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:9-12

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:12-15

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:12-18

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:12-18

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:13

Group of Brands