What does it mean that God is the Father of lights (James 1:17)?

Answer

James 1:17 states, “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow” (NASB). The precise meaning of the term Father of lights in this verse is not explicitly stated. However, we can infer some aspects based on other verses where God is described as “light.” First John 1:5 declares, “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.”

In both passages, God’s essence and character are associated with everything that is “light.” In the Bible, darkness often symbolically represents wickedness, sin, and decay (e.g., John 1:5; 1 Thessalonians 5:4). Therefore, light symbolizes goodness, truthfulness, purity, insight, splendor, and love—qualities that reflect who God is. First Timothy 6:16 also mentions that God “dwells in unapproachable light.” Revelation 22:5 assures that those in eternal communion with the Lord will not require external sources of light, as God Himself will illuminate them.

The term Father of lights may also allude to the celestial luminaries like the sun, moon, and stars. Some Bible translations, such as the NIV, have included the term heavenly before lights, although this is not present in the original manuscripts. The original texts leave the term lights open to interpretation.

It is reasonable to infer that the designation “Father of lights” in James 1:17 conveys the concept that God is the source of all that is devoid of darkness. There is no sin or wrongdoing in Him. Everything symbolized by light finds its embodiment in God. Truth, faithfulness, dignity, splendor, wisdom, and the virtues of the Spirit “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,”, (Galatians 5:22).

In Matthew 5:22, compassion, and love are all qualities of God and examples of spiritual “light.” Physical lights, too, owe their existence to God: the starry heavens and the planetary kingdoms are all created by the Father of lights for His glory and purpose. As the Father of lights, God embodies all that is good and right. Just as God is love «And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. », (1 John 4:16), so God is light «This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. », (1 John 1:5). God does not merely possess love and light, as though they are qualities that can be taken away. God is love and light, which makes Him the Father and originator of all lesser lights.