Jam 1:11-18 | TNotes

Summary for Jas 1:12-27: 1:12-27 ^a James addresses the same three topics as in 1:2-11 ^b, adding a new dimension to each topic. External testing (1:2-4 ^c) becomes internal temptation (1:11-18 ^d); the need for wisdom (1:5-8 ^e) is related to controlling angry speech (1:19-21 ^f); and poverty/wealth relate to the need to act upon God’s word (1:22-25 ^g). The section then summarizes these themes (1:26-27 ^h). 1:12 ⁱ Those who love him are faithful and obedient (cp. 1:22-25 ^j; 2:5 ^k; Deut 7:9 ^l; 1 Jn 5:2 ^m).
1:13 ⁿ do not say: James is using diatribe, an ancient Greek rhetorical technique in which an imaginary opponent presents a contrary opinion. In this way he is able to voice the readers’ possible objection and immediately refute it (also in 2:3 ^o, 16 ^p, 18 ^q; 4:13 ^r).

• God is never tempted to do wrong: The alternate translation (see footnote) dulls the parallelism with he never tempts.
1:14 ^s Like hooks for fishing or traps for hunting, desires . . . entice us into sin and drag us away from faithfulness to God.
1:15 ^t When evil desires conceive, they give birth to sinful actions (literally sin, personified as an infant). When the infant sin is allowed to grow to full maturity, it gives birth to death, in opposition to “the crown of [eternal] life” (1:12 ^u).
1:17 ^v God is the Father of lights (see footnote) since he created everything in the heavens (Gen 1:3 ^w, 14-17 ^x). In contrast to the moving lights in the heavens, God never changes or casts a shifting shadow.
1:18 ^y God’s true word is the Good News (1:21-23 ^z; 1 Pet 1:23-25 ^aa).

• give birth: The imagery of a mother giving birth shows the full scope of God’s parental love for his children (cp. Luke 13:34 ^ab; John 1:13 ^ac; 3:3-8 ^ad; 1 Pet 1:23 ^ae).

• his prized possession: Literally a kind of firstfruit (cp. Exod 23:16 ^af; Lev 23:9-14 ^ag; 1 Cor 15:20 ^ah; Col 1:18 ^ai). Christians are examples of the ultimate restoration of all creation (Rom 8:20-22 ^aj).