james-1:12-14,-ecclesiastes-9:10-11

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - James 1:14

14. Every man, when tempted, is so through being drawn away of (again here, as in :-, the Greek for "of" expresses the actual source, rather than the agent of temptation) his own lust. The cause of sin is in ourselves. Even Satan's suggestions do not endanger us before they are made our own. Each one has his own peculiar (so the Greek) lust, arising from his own temperament and habit. Lust flows from the original birth-sin in man, inherited from Adam. drawn away—the beginning step in... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 1:2-27

II. TRIALS AND TRUE RELIGION 1:2-27James began his letter, which is in many ways a lecture, by dealing with the problem of trials that all believers encounter. Jews who became Christians in the early history of the church experienced much antagonism and persecution from their unbelieving fellow Jews, as is clear in the Book of Acts. All Christians who take a stand for the Lord continue to have to deal with such trials. Thus James’ inspired advice is perennially relevant. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 1:12

1. The ultimate end of trials 1:12In view of how God uses trials in our lives we should persevere in the will of God joyfully. The Christian who perseveres under trials, who does not yield to temptations to depart from the will of God, demonstrates his or her love for God. James used the same Greek word for trials here as in James 1:2, but here the negative sense of the word is in view. [Note: See Buist M. Fanning, "A Theology of James," in A Biblical Theology of the New Testament, p. 419.] It... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 1:12-18

B. The Options in Trials 1:12-18Thus far James revealed the value of trials, how God uses them to perfect the Christian, and how to obtain God’s perspective on one’s trials when this is difficult to see. Next he proceeded to explain the consequences of obedience and disobedience and the source of temptations so his readers could manage their trials effectively. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 1:13

God is never the source of temptation. He does not try to get us to sin, even though some people blame God for their sins. He Himself is not even subject to temptation because He is totally separate from sin and not susceptible to evil. [Note: Mayor, p. 53. See also his extended discussion of this subject on pp. 195-97.] The only sense in which God is responsible for sin is that He permits other things to tempt us, namely, the world, the flesh, and the devil (cf. Job 1-2). James did not mention... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 1:13-14

2. The source of temptation 1:13-14James did not want us to conclude that because God permits us to experience trials He is the source of temptation. That deduction might encourage us to give in to sin. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 1:14

Rather than blaming God we need to recognize that we are responsible when we yield to temptation, not God. There is nothing in God that responds positively to sin, but there is much in us that does."Desire (epithymia) does not always have a negative meaning (cf. Luke 22:15; Philippians 1:23), but here, as most often in the New Testament, it refers to fleshly, selfish, illicit desire. While the word often describes specifically sexual passions, the use of the singular here suggests a broader... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - James 1:1-27

The Power of Faith Under Temptation1. Servant] better, ’slave.’ The word does not suggest any degradation, but only absolute surrender to the Master. St. James’s humility prevents the mention of the earthly relationship. Scattered abroad] RV ’of the Dispersion.’ Jews were found (sometimes in great numbers) in all the cities of the Roman empire. They kept up their connexion with the mother-country by going up to the great Jewish feasts. Greeting] better, ’joy be with you.’ This form of... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - James 1:2-27

(2-27) Immediately after the salutation, and with more or less a play upon the word which we translate “greeting” (“rejoice,” James 1:1; “count it all joy,” James 1:2) there follow appeals on behalf of patience, endurance. and meekness. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - James 1:12

(12) Blessed is the man that endureth temptation.—Surely the Apostle links such blessedness with the nine Beatitudes, heard in the happy days gone by upon the Mount with Christ (Matthew 5:3-11). The words he uses in the original are the same as those which are expressed above, in our second, third, and fourth verses, by “patience” and “trials,” and mean a firm endurance, steadfastness, tenacity of purpose, and quenchless enthusiasm, such as men of Teutonic blood can appreciate perhaps even... read more

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - James 1:14

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 1:2-27

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 1:12

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 1:12-18

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 1:13

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 1:13-14

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 1:14

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - James 1:1-27

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - James 1:2-27

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - James 1:12

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