James 1:17 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

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.

Gift ... gift, х dosis (G1394) ... doorema (G1434), dosis (G1394): the act of giving; the gift in its initiatory stage; doorema (G1434) the thing given, the boon, when perfected]. As the "good gift" contrasts with "sin" in its initiatory stage (James 1:15), so the 'perfect boon' contrasts with "sin when it is finished," bringing forth death (2 Peter 1:3).

From above (James 3:15.)

Father of lights - Creator of the lights in heaven (cf. Job 38:28 (Alford); Genesis 4:20-21). So reference to changes in the light of the heavenly bodies follows. Also, Father of the spiritual lights in the kingdom of grace and glory. Hebrews 12:9 typified by the supernatural lights on the high priest's breastplate, the Urim. Since "God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5), He cannot in any way be Author of sin (James 1:13), which is darkness (John 3:19). No variableness, neither shadow of turning (Malachi 3:6). No alternations of light and shadow, such as the physical "lights," and even the spiritual lights, are liable to. "Shadow of turning" х tropees (G5157) aposkiasma (G644)] - the shadow-mark cast from a heavenly body in its turning or revolution; e.g., when the moon is eclipsed by the earth, and the sun by the moon. Bengel makes a climax, 'no variation (in the understanding: answering to "every good gift") - not even the shadow of a turning' (in the will: answering to "every perfect gift").

James 1:17

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.