James 1:17

James 1:17 in other versions

• King James Version (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.
• New International Version (NIV)Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
• English Standard Version (ESV)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.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

Context of James 1:17

15Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it has run its course, brings forth death. 16Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers and sisters. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. 18In the exercise of His will He gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures. 19You know this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Now everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger;

James 1:17 word by word

πᾶσα δόσις ἀγαθὴ καὶ πᾶν δώρημα τέλειον ἄνωθέν ἐστιν καταβαῖνον ἀπὸ τοῦ πατρὸς τῶν φώτων παρ᾽ ᾧ οὐκ ἔνι παραλλαγὴ ἢ τροπῆς ἀποσκίασμα.Read the interlinear

• Everyπᾶςpas · allG3956
• goodἀγαθόςagathos · goodG18
• thingδόσιςdosis · giftG1394
• perfectτέλειοςteleios · perfectG5046
• giftδώρημαdōrēma · free giftG1434
• from aboveἄνωθενanōthen · from above/againG509
• comingκαταβαίνωkatabainō · to come/go downG2597
• the Fatherπατήρpatēr · fatherG3962
• of lightsφῶςphōs · lightG5457
• with whomὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• thereἔνιeni · there isG1762
• noοὐou · noG3756
• variationπαραλλαγήparallagē · variationG3883
• orἤē · orG2228
• shiftingτροπήtropē · turningG5157
• shadowἀποσκίασμαaposkiasma · shadowG644

Cross-references for James 1:17

• James 1:5But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
• James 3:15This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.
• Genesis 41:16Joseph then answered Pharaoh, saying, “It has nothing to do with me; God will give Pharaoh an answer for his own good.”
• Exodus 4:11But the Lord said to him, “Who has made the human mouth? Or who makes anyone unable to speak or deaf, or able to see or blind? Is it not I, the Lord?
• Exodus 31:3And I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship,
• Exodus 36:1“Now Bezalel, Oholiab, and every skillful person in whom the Lord has put skill and understanding to know how to perform all the work in the construction of the sanctuary, shall perform in accordance with everything that the Lord has commanded.”
• Numbers 11:17Then I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take away some of the Spirit who is upon you, and put Him upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you will not bear it by yourself.
• 1 Chronicles 22:12Only the Lord give you discretion and understanding, and put you in charge of Israel, so that you may keep the Law of the Lord your God.
• 1 Chronicles 29:19and give my son Solomon a perfect heart to keep Your commandments, Your testimonies, and Your statutes, and to do them all, and to build the temple for which I have made provision.”
• 2 Chronicles 1:11Then God said to Solomon, “Because this was in your heart, and you did not ask for riches, wealth, or honor, or the life of those who hate you, nor did you even ask for long life, but you asked for yourself wisdom and knowledge so that you may rule My people over whom I have made you king,
• Proverbs 2:6For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
• Isaiah 28:26For his God instructs and teaches him properly.
• Daniel 2:21It is He who changes the times and the periods; He removes kings and appoints kings; He gives wisdom to wise men, And knowledge to people of understanding.
• Matthew 7:11So if you, despite being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
• Matthew 11:25At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent, and have revealed them to infants.
• Matthew 13:11And Jesus answered them, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.

Commentaries on James 1:17

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above - Whatever is good is from God; whatever is evil is from man himself. As from the sun, which is the father or fountain of light, all light comes; so from God, who is the infinite Fountain, Father, and Source of good, all good comes. And whatever can be called good, or pure, or light, or excellence of any kind, must necessarily spring from him, as he is the only source of all goodness and perfection…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 17Every good gift and every perfect gift - The difference between good and perfect here, it is not easy to mark accurately. It may be that the former means that which is benevolent in its character and tendency; the latter that which is entire, where there is nothing even apparently wanting to complete it; where it can be regarded as good as a whole and in all its parts. The general sense is, that God is the author of all good. Every thing that is good on…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 12-18Verses 12-18 It is not every man who suffers, that is blessed; but he who with patience and constancy goes through all difficulties in the way of duty. Afflictions cannot make us miserable, if it be not our own fault. The tried Christian shall be a crowned one. The crown of life is promised to all who have the love of God reigning in their hearts. Every soul that truly loves God, shall have its trials in this world fully recompensed in that world above…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 17God is the Father of the heavenly lights (see footnote). This is because he created everything in the sky (Genesis 1:3, 14–17). Unlike the moving lights in the sky, God never changes or casts a shifting shadow.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1717. gift ... gift--not the same words in Greek: the first, the act of giving, or the gift in its initiatory stage; the second, the thing given, the boon, when perfected. As the "good gift" stands in contrast to "sin" in its initiatory stage (Jas 1:15), so the "perfect boon" is in contrast to "sin when it is finished," bringing forth death (2Pe 1:3). from above--(Compare Jas 3:15). Father of lights--Creator of the lights in heaven (compare Job 38:28…Read the comment

Topics related to James 1:17

• Blessing
• Gifts from God
• God
• God Continued...
• Light

In the dictionaries

• Entice
• Fade
• Lack
• Lay
• Liberally
• Light
• Lust
• Pure
• Receive
• Religion

Commentaries on James 1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings