Hi,
I have often quoted this verse of scripture but the other day I saw the verse in a totally different way. The verse is found in......

James 1:17---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.

Well this was the first time that I noticed that this verse mentions two gifts instead of only one being 1.) every good gift and 2.) every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of lights.

Both of these gifts whether good or perfect both of these are above given to us by the Father of lights who never changes.

My question is what is the difference between every good gift and every perfect gift that comes from our Heavenly Father above who changes not.

Any way this verse has gotten me perplexed as of right now

blessings
Kay

Hi Kay,
Have you tried using the "BibleGateway" search that Scarlet added to HBP? If you search the passage, then click on the button to the far right of the line of forward and reverse buttons, you'll get a brief commentary.
Peace,
Chaqar
PS. another good reference is "blueletterbible.com"

[I]Hi,

I used the bible gate and it did not help at all nor did it cover verse # 17. I also looked in the blue letter bible and there was no information that was helpful.

Kay

This is an interesting question Kay. I think to figure out the meaning, we have to look at the context as well as the definitions. James 1:13-18

13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God, for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.

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.
18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstrfruits of his creatures.

The first question is context. First it is pointed out that God doesn't tempt us. If we are being tempted to sin, it is not God doing it, but we are being drawn away by the sinful fleshly desires on the inside. If we give into the temptations, we become guilty of sin, and the penalty for sin is death. In other words, temptation, sin and death are not from God.

What is from God? Every good gift and every perfect gift. In your question, you asked about two gifts. Notice that it doesn't say there are only two gifts, but it uses the word "every" indicating there could be many good gifts and many perfect gifts. If I understand you correctly, you want to know what is the difference between a good and a perfect gift? According to the Greek dictionary:

Good- (agathos) benefit, good (things) well
Perfect- (teleioo) complete, accomplish, comsumate, consecrate, finish, fulfil

The only gift I can think of that would fit this verse is Jesus Christ. First, temptation, sin and death are not from God. What is from God is eternal life, and that comes through his Son Jesus Christ. Notice that the verse states that every good gift and every perfect gift "is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights." Jesus came from Heaven and was sent to earth by the heavenly Father. What benefits come through Jesus? Eternal life, victory over sin, our inheritance in the Kingdom of Heaven, the comforter (Holy Spirit) who will lead and guide us into all truth, etc. Those are the gifts that come from God. Remember when Jesus died on the cross, he said, "It is finish." At that point, the plan of salvation was completed or accomplished. So what are the good and perfect gifts?

First is Jesus Christ. He came down from Heaven from the Father. He accomplished God's method of salvation for all who accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Then comes the additional benefits of being a Christian.

Interesting B, I've never looked at it that way, but I must admit that there seems to be more being said than that. Hummmmm, way to go Kay, good question!

We need to be careful not to overcomplicate things.

"Good" and "perfect" as used here are simply two ways of saying the same thing. God cannot create or deal in imperfection. So any good gift God provides is also perfect by virtue of Him being the source. God does operate from different standards of "good."

This verse occurs in line thought where God is portrayed as constant unlike the double-minded man who is unstable or the implied variableness of the heavenly luminaries. Unlike the heavenly luminaries, there is no variableness or changing with God.

The point is that God does not tempt us because there is nothing that exists in God for that to be possible. He is the source of all that is good and perfect. Whatever God does is both good and perfect. We can always depend on God to be the same and unchanging.

Thanks Butero for your time put into my question. I had already determined that the perfect gift was Jesus Christ in whom The Father sent his only begotten Son. For God never changes for he is the same yesterday, today and forever.

When Christ did come to earth and ressurrected he gave "gifts" unto men
Ephesians 4:6-16

Not only this but God gives to us the things we have need of as we trust the Father as we give our time seeking his righteousness and his kingdom.
Matthew 6:33

Matthew 6:25-34
For God gives us good gifts as we have these because of Jesus Christ who is the perfect gift who had no sin at all or guile in his mouth. But all we have to do is seek his kingdom and his righteosness and God the Father will take care of us by giving or adding to us what we have need of.

Thanks again Butero

Kay