The book of James is something of an enigma in NT literature. Most successful televangelists preach what is called "the Prosperity Gospel." Is it from the very earliest stratum of the church — the Jewish Christians who looked to Jesus’ brother James as their leader, even before the Gentile mission — or a later, second- or third-generation group who struggled to keep the faith amid … Continue reading "Commentary on James 1:17-27" Biblical Commentary (Bible Study) James 1:17-27. The author is traditionally identified as James, the brother … Continue reading "Commentary on James 1:17-27" EXEGESIS: THE CONTEXT: This book was written with Jewish readers in mind––people of modest means who were oppressed by the rich, who dragged them before the courts (2:6)––and blasphemed “the honorable name by which (the believers were) called” (2:7)––and kept back the wages of believers (5:4). Although Martin Luther made critical remarks about this book, calling it an “epistle of straw” in his preface to James, the book retains a significant place in the canon of Scripture. The Bible says in the book of James that “every good and perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17). Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” ~ James 1:17-18. James 1:17. This would mean then that James is referring to both the idea that the saints are light and the idea of Plato's cave. This Sunday is the beginning of a series of readings from the book of James. πᾶσα, “every”. Explanation of the Text: James uses verse 17 to reveal three things about the nature of God in relation to creation. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. . Wesley's James 1:17 Bible Commentary 1:17 No evil, but every good gift - Whatever tends toholiness. And every perfect gift - Whatever tends to glory.Descendeth from the Father of lights - The appellation of Father is here used with peculiar propriety. There is great peace knowing God is full control, sovereign and constant. James 1:17 James 1:16-18 16 Do not err, my beloved brethren. πᾶς with the sense of "only" (Ger. In the end, God becomes little more than a genie-in-a-bottle, granting wishes out of sheer compulsion. Various commentators assign here the meaning "only," "nothing but" (see note on πᾶσαν χαρὰν, v 2).But this is not necessary to the sense here, and is rendered almost, but not quite, impossible by the order of words πᾶσα δόσις ἀγαθὴ. Using select Scriptures, they teach that if one gives his life to Jesus, and if he follows certain biblical principles, God is obligated to fulfill His promises of wealth, health, and well-being. James 1:17 (Devotion) "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." Of special interest here, though, is the expression “shadow that is cast by turning.” 18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. with whom [God] can be no variation, neither shadow that is cast by turning” (1:17). This would also explain the "begetting" referenced in verse 18 and would relate to John's depiction of Jesus as the "Logos" of the world in Chapter 1 and the light and "begetting" of Jesus in Chapter 3 of John: Nature changes, but Jehovah does not. . It follows, "he begat us." Let us not be deceived (James 1:16), but trust in and praise our God, who is the Father of lights and who "brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures" (James 1:18). 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