Trials, Wisdom, and the Source of Good Gifts
James 1:1-18
Jas.1.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ιακωβος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- δουλος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ταις: ART,dat,pl,f
- δωδεκα: NUM,acc,pl,m
- φυλαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- ταις: ART,dat,pl,f
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- διασπορα: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- χαιρειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
Parallels
- Romans 1:1 (verbal): Paul's opening self-designation as 'a servant/ bondservant of Jesus Christ' (δοῦλος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ) closely parallels James' use of δοῦλος θεοῦ καὶ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ.
- Titus 1:1 (verbal): Paul calls himself 'a servant of God' (δοῦλος θεοῦ) and links service to the authority of Christ—similar terminology and coupling of service to God and Christ in James' salutation.
- 1 Peter 1:1 (verbal): Peter's address to 'the elect exiles of the Dispersion' (τοῖς παρεπιδήμοις ἐν διασπορᾷ) echoes James' addressee 'the twelve tribes in the Dispersion' (τᾶς ἐν τῇ διασπορᾷ), using the same key term διασπορά and framing a diasporic audience.
- Acts 8:1 (thematic): The scattering of believers after persecution ('they were all scattered'—διεσπάρησαν) provides a narrative background for the early Christian 'Dispersion' to which James addresses his letter, linking theme of scattering and mission in the diaspora.
Alternative generated candidates
- James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes dispersed: greetings.
- James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes dispersed abroad: Greetings.
Jas.1.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Πασαν: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- χαραν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ηγησασθε: VERB,aor,mid,ind,2,pl
- αδελφοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- οταν: CONJ
- πειρασμοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- περιπεσητε: VERB,aor,act,subj,2,pl
- ποικιλοις: ADJ,dat,pl,m
Parallels
- Romans 5:3-4 (verbal): Paul likewise urges rejoicing in sufferings, because suffering produces perseverance, character and hope—closely paralleling James’s call to count trials as joy and the formative purpose of trials.
- 1 Peter 1:6-7 (verbal): Peter speaks of rejoicing even though now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, which test faith and result in praise and glory—language and theology very similar to James’s emphasis on testing and proven faith.
- 1 Peter 4:13 (thematic): Peter exhorts believers to rejoice insofar as they share in Christ’s sufferings, linking joy with the experience of trials as part of Christian identity, echoing James’s command to regard trials positively.
- Matthew 5:11-12 (thematic): In the Beatitudes Jesus tells disciples to rejoice and be glad when persecuted for righteousness’ sake, connecting hardship and rejoicing—a moral and spiritual parallel to James’s instruction.
- Hebrews 12:11 (thematic): Hebrews notes that discipline is painful at the time but later yields a peaceful fruit of righteousness for those trained by it, resonating with James’s view of trials producing spiritual maturity.
Alternative generated candidates
- Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you meet various trials,
- Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials,
Jas.1.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- γινωσκοντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- οτι: CONJ
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- δοκιμιον: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- πιστεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- κατεργαζεται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
- υπομονην·: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- James 1:4 (verbal): Immediate context: continues the theme that trials produce ὑπομονή (patience/perseverance) and calls for letting that endurance complete its work (close verbal and structural link).
- Romans 5:3-4 (thematic): Both teach that suffering/tribulation produces perseverance (ὑπομονή) which in turn builds character — a parallel theological sequence (trial → perseverance → maturity).
- 1 Peter 1:6-7 (thematic): Speaks of present trials testing faith like fire so that the genuineness of faith may result in praise and glory — similar idea of testing producing a positive, refining outcome.
- Hebrews 12:11 (thematic): Portrays divine discipline/training as painful now but producing later the 'fruit' of righteousness — comparable to testing producing perseverance/fruit.
- 1 Peter 4:12-13 (thematic): Advises believers not to be surprised by trials but to rejoice in sharing Christ's sufferings, framing trials as a means to future joy — resonates with James' link between testing and spiritual growth.
Alternative generated candidates
- because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
- for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
Jas.1.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- δε: CONJ
- υπομονη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- εργον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- τελειον: ADJ,nom,sg,n
- εχετω: VERB,pres,act,imp,3,sg
- ινα: CONJ
- ητε: VERB,pres,act,subj,2,pl
- τελειοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- ολοκληροι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- μηδενι: PRON,dat,sg,n
- λειπομενοι: PART,pres,mp,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- Romans 5:3-4 (thematic): Both passages teach that suffering/trial produces perseverance (patience) and that perseverance leads to matured character—a process yielding spiritual maturity and completeness.
- 1 Peter 1:6-7 (thematic): Trials test and refine faith, producing a proved faith that results in praise and maturity—parallel to James' idea that patience in trial leads to perfection and completeness.
- Hebrews 12:11 (thematic): Discipline/trial is described as producing a 'peaceable fruit of righteousness' for those trained by it, echoing James' claim that perseverance accomplishes a perfected, complete state.
- Colossians 2:10 (verbal): Uses the language of being 'complete' or 'made complete' in Christ, paralleling James' emphasis on becoming 'perfect and complete' as the goal/result of endurance.
- Matthew 5:48 (verbal): Commands believers to 'be perfect' as the heavenly Father is perfect; parallels James' goal language of achieving perfection/wholeness through spiritual growth and endurance.
Alternative generated candidates
- And let perseverance finish its work, that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.
- And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Jas.1.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ει: PART
- δε: CONJ
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- λειπεται: VERB,pres,mp,ind,3,sg
- σοφιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- αιτειτω: VERB,pres,act,imp,3,sg
- παρα: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- διδοντος: VERB,pres,act,ptc,gen,sg,m
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- πασιν: ADJ,dat,pl,m
- απλως: ADV
- και: CONJ
- μη: PART
- ονειδιζοντος: VERB,pres,mp,ptc,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- δοθησεται: VERB,fut,pass,ind,3,sg
- αυτω·: PRON,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 7:7-11 (thematic): Jesus teaches to ask, seek, knock and affirms the Father gives good gifts to those who ask, paralleling James’ encouragement to ask God who gives freely.
- Luke 11:9-13 (thematic): Similar exhortation to ask and receive; Luke adds that the Father gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask, reinforcing the promise that God gives to those who request.
- 1 Kings 3:9-12 (allusion): Solomon’s request for wisdom and God’s granting of wisdom is a paradigmatic Old Testament instance of asking God for wisdom and receiving it, echoed by James.
- Proverbs 2:6 (verbal): Declares that the LORD gives wisdom and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding, directly resonating with James’ claim that God gives wisdom.
- James 4:2-3 (verbal): Within the same epistle, James links lack of receiving to failure or improper motives in asking (asking amiss), which qualifies and complements the teaching of 1:5.
Alternative generated candidates
- If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God—who gives generously to all and without reproach—and it will be given him.
- If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God—who gives to all generously and without reproach—and it will be given him.
Jas.1.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αιτειτω: VERB,pres,act,imp,3,sg
- δε: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- πιστει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- μηδεν: PRON,acc,sg,n
- διακρινομενος: VERB,pres,mid/pass,part,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- γαρ: PART
- διακρινομενος: VERB,pres,mid/pass,part,nom,sg,m
- εοικεν: VERB,perf,act,ind,3,sg
- κλυδωνι: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- θαλασσης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ανεμιζομενω: VERB,pres,mid/pass,part,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ριπιζομενω·: VERB,pres,mid/pass,part,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- Matt.14:30-31 (thematic): Peter walks on the sea but begins to sink when he doubts—illustrates the danger of wavering faith like James' image of being driven and tossed by the wind.
- Eph.4:14 (verbal): Speaks of being 'tossed to and fro and carried about by every wind of doctrine'—uses similar wind/tossing language to describe instability.
- Heb.11:6 (thematic): Affirms that faith is required to approach God (pleasing Him), paralleling James' command to ask in faith rather than with doubt.
- Mark 4:37-40 (thematic): The storm at sea and the disciples' fear of the waves and wind echo James' maritime imagery of being tossed and the connection between fear/doubt and instability.
- Jas.1:8 (verbal): Immediate parallel within James: the 'double-minded' person is 'unstable in all his ways,' restating the same warning about wavering and instability.
Alternative generated candidates
- But let him ask in faith, without doubting; for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.
- But let him ask in faith, without doubting; for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.
Jas.1.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- μη: PART
- γαρ: PART
- οιεσθω: VERB,pres,mid,imp,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- ανθρωπος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εκεινος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- οτι: CONJ
- λημψεται: VERB,fut,mid,ind,3,sg
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- παρα: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- James 1:6 (structural): Immediate context: instructs the one who asks to have faith without doubting—explains why ‘that man’ should not expect to receive from the Lord.
- Matthew 21:22 (verbal): Jesus teaches that whatever is asked in prayer, if asked in faith/belief, will be received—contrasts with James’ warning about doubt preventing reception.
- Mark 11:24 (verbal): Parallel teaching that one must believe one has received when praying to obtain answers—underscores faith as condition for receiving from God.
- James 4:3 (thematic): Explains another reason petitions are not granted: improper motives or desires—complements James 1:7’s emphasis that wrong inner disposition (doubt) prevents receiving.
- Hebrews 11:6 (thematic): Affirms that without faith it is impossible to please God and to draw near to him—supports the principle that lack of faith/doubt blocks God’s granting of requests.
Alternative generated candidates
- For that person ought not to expect to receive anything from the Lord;
- For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
Jas.1.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ανηρ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- διψυχος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ακαταστατος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- πασαις: ADJ,dat,pl,f
- ταις: ART,dat,pl,f
- οδοις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- James 4:8 (verbal): Uses the same idea/word (διψυχοι / 'double-minded')—both verses condemn double-mindedness and call for inward stability toward God.
- 1 Kings 18:21 (allusion): Elijah's rebuke 'How long will you limbo between two opinions?' (lit. 'limp between two opinions') expresses the same divided allegiance/double-mindedness.
- Matthew 6:24 (thematic): Jesus' teaching that one cannot serve two masters (God and money) parallels the impossibility and danger of being double-minded in devotion.
- Psalm 78:37 (thematic): Speaks of hearts 'not steadfast' with God and unfaithfulness—similar language and concern about instability in one's ways.
- Hebrews 3:12 (thematic): Warns against an unbelieving/turned-away heart that leads to falling away—echoes James' warning about unstable, divided hearts and conduct.
Alternative generated candidates
- he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
- he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Jas.1.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Καυχασθω: VERB,pres,mid,imp,3,sg
- δε: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- αδελφος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- ταπεινος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- υψει: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Proverbs 29:23 (verbal): Contrasts pride and humility: 'A man's pride will bring him low, but he that is lowly in spirit shall obtain honor'—close verbal and thematic parallel to exalting the humble brother.
- 1 Peter 5:6 (allusion): Exhortation to humility with promise of exaltation: 'Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time'—echoes the idea that the lowly are raised.
- Luke 1:52 (verbal): Mary's Magnificat: 'He has put down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of low degree'—directly parallels the motif of God lifting up the humble/lowly.
- Matthew 5:3 (thematic): 'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven'—the Beatitude links spiritual lowliness/poverty with blessing and vindication, resonant with James's instruction.
Alternative generated candidates
- But the brother of humble circumstance should boast in his exaltation,
- Let the brother of humble circumstances boast in his exaltation,
Jas.1.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- πλουσιος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- ταπεινωσει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- οτι: CONJ
- ως: ADV
- ανθος: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- χορτου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- παρελευσεται: VERB,fut,mid,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Isaiah 40:6-8 (allusion): Speaks of human frailty—'all flesh is grass'—the same imagery of transience that James invokes with the flower-of-the-grass simile.
- Psalm 103:15-16 (verbal): Uses the same metaphor—'as for man, his days are like grass... like a flower of the field'—emphasizing human life’s brevity, paralleling James' point about the rich's fleeting glory.
- 1 Peter 1:24 (quotation): Directly quotes Isaiah's grass/flower language ('All flesh is like grass... the grass withers'), closely matching James' imagery of ephemeral human status.
- Job 14:1-2 (thematic): Portrays human life as short and fragile—'man who is born of a woman is few of days... comes forth like a flower and withers'—a thematic parallel highlighting mortality.
- James 1:9 (structural): Immediate context within the same chapter: contrasts the lowly brother's exaltation with the rich man's humility, framing both statuses in relation to life's transience (verse 10 responds to verse 9).
Alternative generated candidates
- and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away.
- and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away.
Jas.1.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ανετειλεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- γαρ: PART
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- ηλιος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- συν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- καυσωνι: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- εξηρανεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- χορτον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- ανθος: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- εξεπεσεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- ευπρεπεια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- προσωπου: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- απωλετο·ουτως: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- πλουσιος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- ταις: ART,dat,pl,f
- πορειαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- μαρανθησεται: VERB,fut,pass,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Isaiah 40:6-8 (verbal): Uses the same imagery/phrases — 'all flesh is grass... the grass withers, the flower fades' — stressing human transience like James' sun-withered grass and fading flower.
- 1 Peter 1:24 (quotation): Explicitly cites Isaiah's wording ('All flesh is like grass... the grass withers, the flower falls') to make the same point about human frailty and transience.
- Psalm 37:2 (verbal): Speaks of the wicked soon withering 'like the grass' and fading like the green herb — similar verbal imagery of rapid decay and loss of prosperity/beauty.
- Job 14:1-2 (thematic): Compares human life to a flower that is cut down and transient, echoing the theme of human frailty and the swift passing of life and glory.
- 1 Timothy 6:17 (thematic): Warns the wealthy not to set hope on uncertain riches and reminds that riches are fleeting — thematically parallels James' point that the rich will fade away in their pursuits.
Alternative generated candidates
- For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls off, and the beauty of it perishes—so also the rich man will fade away in his pursuits.
- For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
Jas.1.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Μακαριος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ανηρ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- υπομενει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- πειρασμον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- οτι: CONJ
- δοκιμος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- γενομενος: VERB,aor,mid,ptc,nom,sg,m
- λημψεται: VERB,fut,mid,ind,3,sg
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- στεφανον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- ζωης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ον: PART,pres,act,nom,sg,m
- επηγγειλατο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- αγαπωσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Revelation 2:10 (verbal): Promises the 'crown of life' to those faithful amid suffering—direct verbal parallel in reward language for enduring persecution.
- 2 Timothy 4:8 (thematic): Speaks of a 'crown' awarded to the faithful (crown of righteousness) as a reward for steadfastness and longing for Christ's appearing—similar reward-motif for perseverance.
- Romans 5:3-5 (thematic): Argues that suffering produces perseverance (and ultimately hope), linking trials to spiritual maturation—parallels James' link between enduring trials and receiving God's reward.
- 1 Peter 5:10 (thematic): After suffering God will restore, strengthen and establish believers—connects endurance of trials with God's future vindication/blessing.
- 1 Peter 1:6-7 (thematic): Describes faith tested by trials like fire, refined for praise and glory at Christ's revelation—echoes James' idea that tested believers receive a promised reward.
Alternative generated candidates
- Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
- Blessed is the man who endures under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love him.
Jas.1.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- μηδεις: PRON,nom,sg,m
- πειραζομενος: VERB,pres,mp,part,nom,m,sg
- λεγετω: VERB,pres,mid,imp,3,sg
- οτι: CONJ
- Απο: PREP
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- πειραζομαι·ο: VERB,pres,mp,ind,1,sg
- γαρ: PART
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- απειραστος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- κακων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- πειραζει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- δε: CONJ
- αυτος: PRON,nom,sg,3,m
- ουδενα: PRON,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 10:13 (verbal): Addresses the reality of temptation and God's relation to it—God is faithful and does not let believers be tempted beyond their ability, echoing James' denial that God 'tempts' with evil.
- Matthew 4:1-11 (thematic): The temptation of Jesus by the devil (not by God) illustrates the New Testament pattern that temptation comes from Satan or human desire, not as a sinful inducement from God.
- Job 1:12; 2:6 (allusion): In Job God permits Satan to test Job (granting limits) but is not the direct tempter of evil; this complex tradition of God‐permitted testing helps explain James' emphatic denial that God tempts with evil.
- Hebrews 4:15 (thematic): Affirms that the Son was tempted in every way yet without sin, supporting the claim that divine agency is not the source of sinful temptation.
- James 1:17 (structural): Immediate thematic contrast within the same letter: God is presented as the giver of every good and perfect gift, reinforcing that God is not the author of evil or sinful temptation.
Alternative generated candidates
- Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.
- Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one.
Jas.1.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εκαστος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- πειραζεται: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,3,sg
- υπο: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- ιδιας: ADJ,acc,pl,f
- επιθυμιας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- εξελκομενος: VERB,pres,mid/pass,part,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- δελεαζομενος·: VERB,pres,mid/pass,part,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- James 1:13 (structural): Immediate context contrast: God does not tempt anyone, setting up 1:14's explanation that temptation arises from one's own desire rather than from God.
- James 1:15 (structural): Continues the chain begun in 1:14: desire conceives sin, and sin when full-grown brings forth death—shows the moral trajectory from internal desire to sinful action and consequence.
- Genesis 3:6 (thematic): Eve (and Adam) are enticed by the serpent and act on their own desire to eat the forbidden fruit—an early narrative example of being lured by one's own appetite/desire.
- Romans 7:8-11 (verbal): Paul describes how sin, through the commandment, produced coveting (ἐπιθυμία) and led to death—echoing James' language and theological link between desire (ἐπιθυμία) and sin's power.
- Galatians 5:16-17 (thematic): Paul contrasts walking by the Spirit with gratifying the flesh; the passage frames internal desires as the source of fleshly acts, resonating with James' emphasis on desire as the origin of temptation.
Alternative generated candidates
- But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.
- But each person is tempted when he is lured away and enticed by his own desire.
Jas.1.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ειτα: ADV
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- επιθυμια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- συλλαβουσα: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,sg,f
- τικτει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- αμαρτιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- δε: CONJ
- αμαρτια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- αποτελεσθεισα: VERB,aor,pass,ptc,nom,sg,f
- αποκυει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- θανατον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Jas.1.14 (verbal): Immediate context: verse 14 describes being 'lured and enticed by one's own desire'—the very desire that, in 1:15, is said to conceive and produce sin.
- Rom.6.23 (thematic): Summarizes the consequence of sin—'the wages of sin is death'—paralleling James' claim that sin, when fully grown, bears death.
- Rom.5.12 (thematic): Presents the cause-and-effect link between sin and death ('sin came into the world... and death through sin'), echoing James' chain from desire to sin to death.
- Mark 7.21-23 (thematic): Jesus teaches that evil intentions and desires from within produce sinful actions—paralleling James' emphasis on inward desire birthing sin.
- 1 John 2.16 (verbal): Uses the language of 'desire' (epithumia) as a source of sinful behaviour (lusts of the flesh, eyes, and pride), echoing James' focus on desire as the origin of sin.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then desire, when it conceives, gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is fully grown, brings forth death.
- Then desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is fully grown, brings forth death.
Jas.1.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- μη: PART
- πλανασθε: VERB,pres,mp,ind,2,pl
- αδελφοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- αγαπητοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- Galatians 6:7 (verbal): Uses the identical warning formula 'Μὴ πλανᾶσθε' ('Do not be deceived'), serving the same admonitory function about moral and spiritual consequence.
- 1 Corinthians 15:33 (verbal): Begins with 'Μὴ πλανᾶσθε' to warn believers not to be led into error—verbal parallel in phrasing and intent.
- 1 Corinthians 6:9 (verbal): Contains the same prohibition 'μὴ πλανᾶσθε' in a moral exhortation about who will inherit God's kingdom—same warning formula.
- Colossians 2:8 (thematic): Uses a different verb ('βλέπετε μή τις ὑμᾶς ἐξαπατήσῃ') but presents the same theme—an urgent warning against being deceived by false teaching.
Alternative generated candidates
- Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.
- Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.
Jas.1.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Πασα: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- δοσις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- αγαθη: ADJ,dat,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- παν: ADJ,nom,sg,n
- δωρημα: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- τελειον: ADJ,nom,sg,n
- ανωθεν: ADV
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- καταβαινον: VERB,pres,act,ptc,acc,sg,n
- απο: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- πατρος: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- φωτων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- παρ᾽ω: PREP+PRON,dat,sg,m
- ουκ: PART,neg
- ενι: PREP
- παραλλαγη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- τροπης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- αποσκιασμα: NOUN,nom,sg,n
Parallels
- Matthew 7:11 (thematic): Both affirm that the Father gives good things to his children—James calls every good and perfect gift as coming from the Father, paralleling Jesus’ teaching that the Father gives good gifts to those who ask.
- Luke 11:13 (thematic): Luke’s version of Jesus’ saying emphasizes the Father’s readiness to give the Holy Spirit/good gifts, resonating with James’ claim that good gifts come from the Father of lights.
- Malachi 3:6 (verbal): Malachi’s declaration “I the LORD do not change” echoes James’ assertion that God is without variation or shadow of turning—both stress divine immutability.
- Hebrews 13:8 (thematic): “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” parallels James’ emphasis that God does not change, underscoring the constancy behind divine gifts.
- 1 Timothy 6:16 (verbal): Paul’s description of God as dwelling in unapproachable light corresponds with James’ title “Father of lights,” linking the divine source of gifts to God’s association with light.
Alternative generated candidates
- Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow caused by change.
- Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
Jas.1.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- βουληθεις: VERB,aor,pass,ptc,nom,sg,m
- απεκυησεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- ημας: PRON,acc,pl,1
- λογω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- αληθειας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- εις: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- ειναι: VERB,pres,act,inf
- ημας: PRON,acc,pl,1
- απαρχην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- τινα: PRON,acc,sg,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- κτισματων: NOUN,gen,pl,neut
Parallels
- 1 Peter 1:23 (verbal): Speaks of being 'born again' through the living and abiding word—parallels James' 'brought forth by the word of truth' as divine, verbal agency of new birth.
- John 1:13 (thematic): Describes birth 'of God' rather than human lineage, echoing James' emphasis that believers are brought forth by God's act (not human means).
- Ephesians 1:5 (thematic): Speaks of God's purpose and will in predestining adoption—parallels James' 'βουληθεις' (willing/has willed) as the divine initiative behind our new status.
- Romans 8:23 (allusion): Uses the language of 'firstfruits' (of the Spirit) to describe believers' present status and future hope, relating to James' description of believers as a kind of 'firstfruits' of God's creatures.
Alternative generated candidates
- Of his own will he gave us birth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
- Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creation.
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet various trials,
knowing that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting; for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
For that person ought not to expect to receive anything from the Lord;
he is double-minded and unstable in all his ways.
Let the brother of humble circumstances boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation,
because like a flower of the field the rich man will pass away.
The sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and the beauty of its appearance perishes. So the rich man will fade away in his pursuits.
Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own desire.
Then desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is fully grown, brings forth death.
Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits among his creatures.