13Let no one, when being tempted, say, 'God is tempting me' — for God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one. [1:14] Rather, each person is tempted when he is drawn out and enticed by his own desire. [1:15] Then desire, having conceived, gives birth to sin; and sin, when it has fully matured, brings forth death. [1:16] Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. [1:17] Every good gift and every complete gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. [1:18] Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we might be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
JAS 1:13-18
Good and Perfect Gifts
In the world it was spoken into
In the Greco-Roman world, the concept of divine testing was familiar, often understood as a means for gods to reveal human character or loyalty. However, James clarifies that God does not tempt humans toward evil, distancing the Christian God from capricious deities who might entrap mortals. Instead, temptation arises from human desire , a concept deeply rooted in Stoic and Jewish moral thought, which viewed unchecked desires as the root of moral failure. The imagery of desire 'conceiving' and 'giving birth' to sin reflects a common Jewish metaphor for the progression of moral corruption. James contrasts this with the 'good and perfect gifts' from God, emphasizing their divine origin and unchanging nature. In a culture shaped by patronage, where gifts often came with strings attached, this portrayal of God’s generosity would have been striking. The mention of 'firstfruits' evokes Jewish agricultural practices, symbolizing dedication and the best of what is offered, now applied to believers as God’s chosen people.
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How other translations render this
JAS 1:13
- KJV
- Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
- BSB
- When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone.
- Koinōnos
- Let no one, when being tempted, say, 'God is tempting me' — for God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one.
JAS 1:14
- KJV
- But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
- BSB
- But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed.
- Koinōnos
- Rather, each person is tempted when he is drawn out and enticed by his own desire.
JAS 1:15
- KJV
- Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
- BSB
- Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
- Koinōnos
- Then desire, having conceived, gives birth to sin; and sin, when it has fully matured, brings forth death.
JAS 1:16
- KJV
- Do not err, my beloved brethren.
- BSB
- Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.
- Koinōnos
- Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.
JAS 1:17
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- Every 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.
- Koinōnos
- Every good gift and every complete gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
JAS 1:18
- KJV
- Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
- BSB
- He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creation.
- Koinōnos
- Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we might be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
JAS 1:13
- being tempted:The word translated 'being tempted' can mean either to test with a good intention or to tempt with a bad intention. Here, the context clarifies that God does not tempt with evil.
JAS 1:14
- being drawn away:The term used here for 'being drawn away' evokes the imagery of a fish being lured out of its hiding place by bait, suggesting a forceful and deceptive pulling.
- being enticed;:The word translated 'being enticed' specifically refers to luring or catching something with bait, often used in the context of hunting or fishing to describe deception.
JAS 1:17
- from above:The phrase 'from above' can also carry the sense of 'from the beginning' or 'again,' but in this context, it strongly emphasizes the divine origin of the gifts.