James 1:16
Verse
Context
Good and Perfect Gifts
15Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.16Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.
Sermons
Bob Jennings
G.W. NorthG.W. North
John Banks
Theodore EppSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Do not err - By supposing that God is the author of sin, or that he impels any man to commit it.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Do not err in attributing to God temptation to evil; nay (as he proceeds to show), "every good," all that is good on earth, comes from God.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Do not err, my beloved brethren. For to make God the author of sin, or to charge him with being concerned in temptation to sin, is a very great error, a fundamental one, which strikes at the nature and being of God, and at the perfection of his holiness: it is a denying of him, and is one of those damnable errors and heresies, which bring upon men swift destruction; and therefore to be guarded against, rejected, and abhorred by all that profess any regard unto him, his name and glory. Do not err, my beloved brethren. For to make God the author of sin, or to charge him with being concerned in temptation to sin, is a very great error, a fundamental one, which strikes at the nature and being of God, and at the perfection of his holiness: it is a denying of him, and is one of those damnable errors and heresies, which bring upon men swift destruction; and therefore to be guarded against, rejected, and abhorred by all that profess any regard unto him, his name and glory. James 1:17 jam 1:17 jam 1:17 jam 1:17Every good gift and every perfect gift,.... Whether of nature, providence, or grace, and especially the latter; spiritual gifts given along with Christ, or spiritual blessings in him; every such gift is; as the Vulgate Latin version reads, the "best" gift; better than those which only relate to the present life: and is "perfect" such as the gifts of righteousness, remission of sins, adoption, regeneration, and eternal life. The Jews say (k), that the good things of this world are not truly good, in comparison of the good things of the world to come, and are not , "a perfect good." And every such an one is from above; is not from a man's self, from the creature, or from below, but from heaven, and from God who dwells there: and cometh down from the Father of lights; or author of lights; of all corporeal light; as the sun, moon, and stars; of all natural, rational, and moral light, in angels and men; of all spiritual light, or the light of grace in regenerate persons; and of eternal light, the light of glory in the spirits of just then made perfect: with whom is no variableness, nor shadow of turning: as there is in that great luminary, the sun in the firmament, which has its parallaxes, eclipses, and turnings, and casts its shadow; it rises and sets, appears and disappears every day; and it comes out of one tropic, and enters into another at certain seasons of the year: but with God, who is light itself, and in him is no darkness at all, there is no change, nor anything like it; he is changeable in his nature, perfections, purposes, promises, and gifts; wherefore he being holy, cannot turn to that which is evil; nor can he, who is the fountain of light, be the cause of darkness, or admit of any in him; and since every good and perfect gift comes from him, evil cannot proceed from him, nor can he tempt any to it. (k) Tzeror Hammor, fol. 23. 2, 3.
James 1:16
Good and Perfect Gifts
15Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.16Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Attributes of God (Series 2): The Immutability of God
By A.W. Tozer4.8K43:13Attributes of GodMAL 3:6MAT 6:33HEB 6:17JAS 1:16In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the unchanging nature of God and His Word. He highlights that while everything in the world may change, God remains constant. The preacher encourages the audience to turn to Jesus Christ, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He recommends Jesus as the solution to their problems, the answer to their questions, and the source of life, cleansing, rest, and resurrection. The sermon also acknowledges the concept of change in the physical world and in human behavior, but emphasizes the possibility of transformation through the grace of God.
Audio Sermon: Don't Be Deceived
By Bob Jennings76247:14MAT 7:13JAS 1:16
This sermon emphasizes the theme of deception, warning against being misled in spiritual matters and the importance of not being deceived by sin, riches, false teachings, or hypocrisy. It highlights the tender admonition to watch out for deception, the consequences of sin, and the need to stay true to the Word of God. The sermon encourages self-examination, vigilance, prayer against deception, and helping one another to avoid being misled.
Doing the Will of God From the Heart
By G.W. North1951:17:03Will Of GodMAT 26:391TH 4:11TH 4:3HEB 1:1JAS 1:16JAS 1:19In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of knowing and following the will of God. He encourages the audience to read through the New Testament and take note of every verse that talks about God's will. The preacher specifically references 1 Thessalonians 4, which states that the will of God is for believers to live in sanctification and abstain from fornication. He also mentions James 1, which highlights the importance of being swift to hear and slow to speak. The sermon concludes with a call to surrender everything to God and live according to His will.
The Will of God
By G.W. North1441:51:18Will Of GodJHN 7:14JHN 7:16JAS 1:16JAS 1:191JN 2:18In this sermon, the preacher begins by emphasizing that God is strong, glorious, tender, and has revealed his will for our lives. He then moves on to discuss the epistle of James, specifically focusing on the importance of being swift to hear, slow to speak, and not getting angry. The preacher also highlights the power of God and how he shows mercy, using the example of Pharaoh. Finally, the preacher references John's Gospel, emphasizing that believers are branches of the true vine, Jesus Christ, and that without him, they can do nothing. The sermon emphasizes the importance of knowing and recognizing God's will and the power and mercy of God.
An Epistle on Good Order.
By John Banks0PSA 119:110PRO 10:17PRO 28:10JER 23:13MAT 24:41CO 6:9HEB 3:13JAS 1:161PE 2:25REV 12:9In this sermon on deception, the preacher delves into the Greek word 'planao' meaning 'to wander astray', emphasizing how various influences like false teachers, signs, and even one's own heart can lead individuals away from God's truth. The passive voice of 'planao' in the Bible indicates an external force causing deception, highlighting the continuous danger of being misled from the right path. Deception can come from signs, sorcery, false prophets, and even self-deception, ultimately leading individuals away from God's righteousness and truth.
God Enjoys Giving!
By Theodore Epp0GraceGod's GoodnessJAS 1:16Theodore Epp emphasizes that God is the ultimate giver of all good gifts, as highlighted in James 1:16-18. He warns against the serious error of doubting God's goodness, reminding us that every gift, regardless of size, is a manifestation of God's grace. Epp encourages believers to view their trials through the lens of eternity, recognizing that God's gifts are not based on merit but are freely given. He contrasts heavenly gifts with earthly desires, urging us to focus on what truly lasts. Ultimately, Epp reassures us that God's divine power equips us for life and godliness.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Do not err - By supposing that God is the author of sin, or that he impels any man to commit it.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Do not err in attributing to God temptation to evil; nay (as he proceeds to show), "every good," all that is good on earth, comes from God.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Do not err, my beloved brethren. For to make God the author of sin, or to charge him with being concerned in temptation to sin, is a very great error, a fundamental one, which strikes at the nature and being of God, and at the perfection of his holiness: it is a denying of him, and is one of those damnable errors and heresies, which bring upon men swift destruction; and therefore to be guarded against, rejected, and abhorred by all that profess any regard unto him, his name and glory. Do not err, my beloved brethren. For to make God the author of sin, or to charge him with being concerned in temptation to sin, is a very great error, a fundamental one, which strikes at the nature and being of God, and at the perfection of his holiness: it is a denying of him, and is one of those damnable errors and heresies, which bring upon men swift destruction; and therefore to be guarded against, rejected, and abhorred by all that profess any regard unto him, his name and glory. James 1:17 jam 1:17 jam 1:17 jam 1:17Every good gift and every perfect gift,.... Whether of nature, providence, or grace, and especially the latter; spiritual gifts given along with Christ, or spiritual blessings in him; every such gift is; as the Vulgate Latin version reads, the "best" gift; better than those which only relate to the present life: and is "perfect" such as the gifts of righteousness, remission of sins, adoption, regeneration, and eternal life. The Jews say (k), that the good things of this world are not truly good, in comparison of the good things of the world to come, and are not , "a perfect good." And every such an one is from above; is not from a man's self, from the creature, or from below, but from heaven, and from God who dwells there: and cometh down from the Father of lights; or author of lights; of all corporeal light; as the sun, moon, and stars; of all natural, rational, and moral light, in angels and men; of all spiritual light, or the light of grace in regenerate persons; and of eternal light, the light of glory in the spirits of just then made perfect: with whom is no variableness, nor shadow of turning: as there is in that great luminary, the sun in the firmament, which has its parallaxes, eclipses, and turnings, and casts its shadow; it rises and sets, appears and disappears every day; and it comes out of one tropic, and enters into another at certain seasons of the year: but with God, who is light itself, and in him is no darkness at all, there is no change, nor anything like it; he is changeable in his nature, perfections, purposes, promises, and gifts; wherefore he being holy, cannot turn to that which is evil; nor can he, who is the fountain of light, be the cause of darkness, or admit of any in him; and since every good and perfect gift comes from him, evil cannot proceed from him, nor can he tempt any to it. (k) Tzeror Hammor, fol. 23. 2, 3.