The Pulpit Commentary on James 1:13-18

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

The genesis of sin.

1. Four stages are described.

2. God is not tempted with evil, and he doth not temps to evil. "Ascribe it not to the Father of lights, but to the prince of darkness. But ascribe all good, from the smallest spark to the greatest beam, from the least good giving to the best and most perfect gift of all, to him, the Father of lights'. If there can be no change with the Father of lights, no "shadow east by turning," what folly to suppose that the works of darkness come from him! Temptation may be regarded

In the two former aspects it has been already treated of by the apostle, and has been shown to be a cause for joy. As an allurement it can have no power, unless it meets with some response in man. Thus man has no right to charge his sins upon God, or to make God the author of his temptations. The outward occasion may indeed be from him, sent either as a test or a discipline; but the inward inclination, that which leads a man away and entices him, is entirely evil.

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