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 desire conceives, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is full grown, it gives birth to death. 16Do not be led astray, my dear brothers and sisters. All generous giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change. 18By his sovereign plan he gave us birth through the message of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. 19Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters! Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, 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

Words taken from the KJV.

• Everyπᾶςpas · allG3956
• goodἀγαθόςagathos · goodG18
• giftδόσιςdosis · giftG1394
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• perfectτέλειοςteleios · perfectG5046
• giftδώρημαdōrēma · free giftG1434
• isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• from aboveἄνωθενanōthen · from above/againG509
• and cometh downκαταβαίνωkatabainō · to come/go downG2597
• fromἀπόapo · away fromG575
• the Fatherὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the Fatherπατήρpatēr · fatherG3962
• of lightsφῶςphōs · lightG5457
• withπαράpara · from/with/besideG3844
• whomὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• isἔνιeni · there isG1762
• noοὐou · noG3756
• variablenessπαραλλαγήparallagē · variationG3883
• neitherἤē · orG2228
• shadowἀποσκίασμαaposkiasma · shadowG644
• of turningτροπήtropē · turningG5157

Cross-references for James 1:17

• James 1:5But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him.
• James 3:15Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, natural, demonic.
• Genesis 41:16Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “It is not within my power, but God will speak concerning the welfare of Pharaoh.”
• Exodus 4:11The Lord said to him, “Who gave a mouth to man, or who makes a person mute or deaf or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord?
• Exodus 31:3and I have filled him with the Spirit of God in skill, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship,
• Exodus 36:1So Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person in whom the Lord has put skill and ability to know how to do all the work for the service of the sanctuary are to do the work according to all that the Lord has commanded.”
• Numbers 11:17Then I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take part of the spirit that is on you, and will put it on them, and they will bear some of the burden of the people with you, so that you do not bear it all by yourself.
• 1 Chronicles 22:12Only may the Lord give you insight and understanding when he places you in charge of Israel, so you may obey the law of the Lord your God.
• 1 Chronicles 29:19Make my son Solomon willing to obey your commands, rules, and regulations, and to complete building the palace for which I have made preparations.”
• 2 Chronicles 1:11God said to Solomon, “Because you desire this, and did not ask for riches, wealth, and honor, or for vengeance on your enemies, and because you did not ask for long life, but requested wisdom and discernment so you can make judicial decisions for my people over whom I have made you king,
• Proverbs 2:6For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.
• Isaiah 28:26His God instructs him; he teaches him the principles of agriculture.
• Daniel 2:21He changes times and seasons, deposing some kings and establishing others. He gives wisdom to the wise; he imparts knowledge to those with understanding;
• Matthew 7:11If you then, although you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
• Matthew 11:25At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent, and revealed them to little children.
• Matthew 13:11He replied, “You have been given the opportunity to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but they have not.

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