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James 1:17 KJV
James · chapter 1 · verse 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.James 1:17 · King James Version
What James 1:17 means
Father of lights is an astronomy image and the next clause leans on it: no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Lights move and cast shifting shadows; he does not. James is answering the suspicion that God's goodness comes and goes depending on the day.
Study note provided by TheWay Bible App, separate from the KJV text. Read the full chapter in context and compare interpretations. Report a correction.
James 1:17 in context
15Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
16Do not err, my beloved brethren.
17Every 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.
18Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
19Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
Commentary
Cross references
Key words (Strong's)
- variablenessparallagēvariation, changeG3883 →
- perfectteleiosbrought to its end, finished, wanting nothing necessary to completeness, perfect, that…G5046 →
- Fatherpatērgenerator or male ancestor, either the nearest ancestor father of the corporeal nature…G3962 →
- lightsphōslight, the light, emitted by a lamp, a heavenly light such as surrounds angels when they…G5457 →
- shadowaposkiasmaa shade cast by one object on another, a shadowG644 →
- aboveanōthenfrom above, from a higher place, of things which come from heaven or God, from the first…G509 →
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I. We are here taught that God is not the author of any man's sin. Whoever they are who raise persecutions against men, and whatever injustice and sin they may be guilty of in proceeding against them, God is not to be charged with it.
— Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on verses 13-18