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
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
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
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
3. The progress of temptation 1:15Lust in this context is the desire to do, have, or be something apart from the will of God. Lust is covert, but sometimes it manifests itself overtly. If we do not check lust, it will lead to sin, and if we do not confess and forsake sin, it will lead to death (Romans 6:21-23; Romans 8:6). One commentator helpfully identified seven successive stages of temptation. [Note: Mayor, p. 198.] "Sin is the result of the surrender of the will to the soliciting of... read more
James wanted his readers to have no doubt about God’s purposes and methods in dealing with them, His children. The same "Do not be deceived" expression occurs in 1 Corinthians 6:9; 1 Corinthians 15:33; Galatians 6:7; and 1 John 3:7. God definitely is not the author of temptation.When God commanded Abraham to offer Isaac as a human sacrifice (Genesis 22:2), it only appeared to Abraham that God was tempting him to commit murder. God prevented him from slaying his son (Genesis 22:12). This was a... read more
4. The goodness of God 1:16-18James now defended God before those who doubted His goodness or reliability or who had given up hope in a time of testing and had concluded that this was their "fate." [Note: Martin, p. 39.] The theological term for a vindication of God’s character is "theodicy." read more
Every act of giving (better than "good thing bestowed," Gr. dosis) and every gift given (Gr. dorema) has its source in God. This does not include temptations to sin. God created the sun and moon by which we see variation in light. However there is no variation in God’s dealings with His creatures (cf. 1 John 1:5). He always does everything for His own glory and His creatures’ good."From above" is the translation of the same Greek word (anothen) Jesus used in John 3:7 when He told Nicodemus that... read more
The greatest of God’s gifts for believers is the gift of new life in Christ. God’s deliberate initiative provided this gift for us, and His special revelation communicated it to us (i.e., the message marked by truth). This verse along with the preceding one shows clearly that James believed that eternal life was a gift of God’s grace. We need to keep this in mind when we read James’ discussion of faith and works that follows in chapter 2. James also agreed with Paul that our salvation springs... read more
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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