James 1:18

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:18

Begat ; literally, brought forth ; ἀπεκύησεν . The word has been already used of sin in James 1:15 . The recurrence of it hero points to the connection of thought. The offspring of sin has been shown to be death. God, too, who is both Father and Mother (Bengel), has his offspring. But how different! Us ( ημῦς ). To whom does this refer? Probably (3). Just as Israel of old was Jehovah's firstborn ( Exodus 4:22 ), so now the germ of the Christian Church, as found in these... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:18

The chief good is from God. In this verse the apostle singles out for special mention the highest and best of all God's gifts to his people—that of regeneration. His argument is, that if God voluntarily breathes a new life into those who are spiritually dead, it is inconceivable that he should ever seduce to that which "bringeth forth death." I. THE BEST OF ALL GIFTS . Regeneration is the summum bonum , being a gift which at once supplies man's deepest want, and satisfies... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - James 1:18

Of his own will - Greek “willing.” βουληθεὶς boulētheis. The idea is, that the fact that we are “begotten” to be his children is to be traced solely to his will. He purposed it, and it was done. The antecedent in the case on which all depended was the sovereign will of God. See this sentiment explained in the notes at John 1:13. Compare the notes at Ephesians 1:5. When it is said, however, that he has done this by his mere will, it is not to be inferred that there was no reason why it should... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - James 1:18

James 1:18. Of his own will Without any necessity on his part, or merit on ours; from a will most loving, most free, most pure, just opposite to our evil desire, James 1:15; begat he us He converted, regenerated us, who believe; by the word of truth The true word, emphatically so termed, the gospel; that we should be a kind of first-fruits of his creatures The most excellent of his visible creatures, and consecrated to, and set apart for him in an especial manner. The first-fruits... 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 1:18

Of His own will = Having willed. App-102 . begat . Greek. apokueo. See James 1:15 . word . App-121 . Compare 1 Peter 1:23 . that = to the end that. Greek. eis . App-104 . a kind of firstfruits = a certain (Greek. tis) firstfruit (Greek. aparche) . See Romans 8:23 . Compare Romans 11:16 . creatures . See 1 Timothy 4:4 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - James 1:18

Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures."It seems at first sight natural to see in this verse a reference to the new birth in baptism, or to the regenerating power of the gospel (1 Peter 1:23)";[40] and in spite of the fact that Dummelow went on to reject the obvious meaning upon the pretext that "such ideas are foreign to the simplicity of St. James' theological thought!"[41] it is far better to receive the passage as a... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - James 1:18

James 1:18. A kind of first-fruits, &c.— More excellent than others, and in a peculiar manner separated and consecrated to him. By κτισματων, creatures, the apostle here means the new creation; and he seems by the expression to allude to Jeremiah 2:3. See also Romans 11:16; Romans 16:5. As in Jam 1:15 we have the genealogy of sin and death, in this verse is the genealogy of the Christian life and happiness. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - James 1:18

18. ( :-). The believer's regeneration is the highest example of nothing but good proceeding from God. Of his own will—Of his own good pleasure (which shows that it is God's essential nature to do good, not evil), not induced by any external cause. begat he us—spiritually: a once-for-all accomplished act (1 Peter 1:3; 1 Peter 1:23). In contrast to "lust when it hath conceived, bringeth forth sin, and sin . . . death" (James 1:15). Life follows naturally in connection with light (James 1:15- :).... 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

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