James 1:17, James 1:5 KJV

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:16-18

The connection of thought with what goes before appears to be this. God cannot be the author of temptation, which thus leads to sin and death, because all good and perfect gifts, and these only, come from him. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:17

Every good gift , etc. The words form a hexameter verse, though this is probably accidental, and no sign that they are a quotation. δόσις and δώρημα should be distinguished. "Every kind of gift that is good, and every one that is perfect in its kind" (Dean Scott). δόσις and δῶρον occur together in the LXX . in Proverbs 21:14 . They are expressly distinguished by Philo, who says that the latter involves the idea of magnitude and fullness, which is wanting to the former... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:17

"The Father of the lights:" a sermon to children. Light is one of the most wonderful things in the world. Some heathen nations have been worshippers of fire or of the sun; but we should be thankful that we know better than they. Our souls want a living, loving God; and the sun does not love or live. We worship, not light, but "the Father of the lights." Let us think of some of the lights of which God is the Father. I. SUN - LIGHT . The sun is a great work of God. It is adorned like... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - James 1:17

Every good gift and every perfect gift - The difference between good and perfect here, it is not easy to mark accurately. It may be that the former means that which is benevolent in its character and tendency; the latter that which is entire, where there is nothing even apparently wanting to complete it; where it can be regarded as good as a whole and in all its parts. The general sense is, that God is the author of all good. Every thing that is good on the earth we are to trace to him; evil... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - James 1:16-17

James 1:16-17. Do not err, &c. By supposing that God is the author of sin, or that any thing which is sinful in the heart or conduct of man can, with truth, be ascribed to him: as well might darkness and coldness be attributed to the sun. It is indeed a grievous error to ascribe the evil, and not the good, which we receive, to God. No evil, but every good gift Of every kind: whatever is beautiful, excellent, and good in any creature in the universe; all the members and senses of our... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - James 1:1-18

1:1-18 LIFE’S TRIALS AND DIFFICULTIESJames’ readers are scattered over the area of the early church’s expansion (1:1), but no matter where they live, they share the same responsibilities as Christians everywhere. One of these responsibilities requires them to do something that by nature is very difficult, namely, face the trials of life with joy. This joy comes through the knowledge that trials help believers to develop endurance and so strengthen their Christian character (2-4).When faced with... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - James 1:17

gift . Greek. dosis. Only here and Philippians 1:4 , Philippians 1:15 . gift . Greek. dorema. Only here and Romans 5:16 . from above . Greek. anothen. See John 3:3 . and cometh = coming. Father . App-98 . lights . App-130 . with . App-104 . is no . Literally there is not ( App-105 ) present (Greek. eneimi) . variableness . Greek. parallage. Only here. neither = or. shadow . Greek. aposkiasma . Only here. of . i.e. cast by, or due to. turning . Greek. trope. Only here. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - James 1:17

James 1:17. Every good gift, &c.— The first part of this verse is in the Greek an hexameter, and possibly was quoted by St. James from some of the Greek poets. See Acts 17:28. 1 Corinthians 15:33.Titus 1:12; Titus 1:12. Father in this verse signifies author, or cause. Com. Genesis 4:20. Hebrews 12:9. The Father of Lights is here used agreeably to the astronomical metaphor which follows;—with whom there is no deviation, or tropical shadow—Light invariable, without any interposing shade,... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - James 1:17

17. gift . . . gift—not the same words in Greek: the first, the act of giving, or the gift in its initiatory stage; the second, the thing given, the boon, when perfected. As the "good gift" stands in contrast to "sin" in its initiatory stage ( :-), so the "perfect boon" is in contrast to "sin when it is finished," bringing forth death ( :-). from above—(Compare :-). Father of lights—Creator of the lights in heaven (compare :- [ALFORD]; Genesis 4:20; Genesis 4:21; Hebrews 12:9). This accords... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 1:2-27

II. TRIALS AND TRUE RELIGION 1:2-27James began his letter, which is in many ways a lecture, by dealing with the problem of trials that all believers encounter. Jews who became Christians in the early history of the church experienced much antagonism and persecution from their unbelieving fellow Jews, as is clear in the Book of Acts. All Christians who take a stand for the Lord continue to have to deal with such trials. Thus James’ inspired advice is perennially relevant. read more

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:16-18

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:17

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:17

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - James 1:17

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - James 1:16-17

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - James 1:1-18

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - James 1:17

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - James 1:17

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - James 1:17

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 1:2-27

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