James 1:17 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

¹⁷ Every good [thing that is given] and every perfect gift [received] is from above, coming down from the Father of [heavenly] lights, with whom there can be no change or shifting shadow [i.e., God always remains the same].

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

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.

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

¹⁷ Every good gift and every perfect (free, large, full) gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of all [that gives] light, in [the shining of] Whom there can be no variation [rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [as in an eclipse].

American Standard Version (1901)

¹⁷ Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, neither shadow that is cast by turning.

Common English Bible

¹⁷ Every good gift, every perfect gift, comes from above. These gifts come down from the Father, the creator of the heavenly lights, in whose character there is no change at all.

Catholic Public Domain Version

¹⁷ Every excellent gift and every perfect gift is from above, descending from the Father of lights, with whom there is no change, nor any shadow of alteration.

James 1:17 Cross References

John 3:27

John replied to them, “A person cannot receive anything, unless it has been given to him from [God in] heaven.

Matthew 7:11

If then you know how to give good gifts to your children, even though you are sinful [human beings], how much more [likely] is it that your Father in heaven will give good things to those who ask Him?

Hebrews 13:8

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

John 8:12

So, Jesus spoke to them again [i.e., to the Jewish authorities. See 7:45], saying, “I am the light of the world. The person who becomes my follower will never live in [spiritual] darkness, but have the light of [i.e., for his] life [i.e., followers of Jesus will not live in error and sin but in truth and righteousness].”

1 John 1:5

And this is the message we heard from Him, and [now want to] announce to you: God is light [i.e. righteousness] and in His [very nature] there is no trace of darkness [i.e., evil].

James 3:17

But the [true] wisdom, which is from [God] above, is first of all pure, then peace-loving, patient and easily persuaded. [It is] full of mercy and produces a crop of good deeds; [it is] impartial [or, unwavering] and sincere.

Ephesians 2:8

For you have been saved by God’s unearned favor, through [your] faith, and that [salvation] was not the result of your own doing; it was the gift from God.

Luke 11:13

If then you know how to give good gifts to your children, even though you are sinful [human beings], how much more [likely] is it that your Father in heaven will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”

1 Corinthians 4:7

For who makes you different [from each other]? [i.e., with some being viewed as superior and others inferior] And what do you have that you did not receive [from God]? But if you received it [from Him], then why do you boast as though you did not [receive it as a gift]?

1 John 4:10

Here is [the essence of] love: [It is] not that we loved God [first], but that He loved us [See Rom. 5:6-8] and sent His Son to be a “covering over” [see 2:2] of our sins.

Ephesians 1:18

I pray that your minds will be enlightened so that you will know what the hope is, to which God has called you, and what the glorious abundance is, of God’s inheritance in the saints [Note: Paul wanted them to appreciate the value God placed on them],

John 1:9

[Now] the true Light, who enlightens all mankind, was [indeed] coming into the world [i.e., to earth].

Revelation 21:23

And the city does not need the sun nor the moon to illuminate it, for the splendor of God provides the light for it, and its lamp is the Lamb.

2 Corinthians 4:6

For God, who said [Gen. 1:3], “Light will shine out of darkness,” has [also] shone in our hearts to provide [us with] the light of the knowledge of God’s splendor [as it shines] on the face of Christ. [Note: This allusion to “splendor shining on Christ’s face” may be a continuation of the analogy used in 3:13].

Revelation 22:5

And it will never be nighttime there anymore; they will not need the light of a lamp nor of the sun, for the Lord will give them light. And they [i.e., God’s servants] will rule [with Christ, See 20:4] forever and ever.

James 1:5

But if any one of you lacks wisdom, he should pray to God, who gives to everyone generously and does not begrudge [the person who asks], and it will be given to him.

Romans 6:23

For the wages for sinning is [spiritual] death, but God’s free gift is never ending life in [fellowship with] Christ Jesus our Lord.

James 3:15

This “wisdom” is not the kind that comes from [God] above, but is earthly, unspiritual and demonic [i.e., it is motivated by an evil spirit and not the Holy Spirit].

Philippians 1:29

Because God has granted you [the privilege], on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.

Acts 11:18

So, when the apostles and the brothers from Judea heard these things, they stopped arguing [See verse 2] and gave honor to God, saying, “[This means] that God has permitted the Gentiles also [as well as the Jews] to repent [i.e., change their hearts and lives] so they, too, could have [the promise of never ending] life.”

Acts 5:31

But God exalted Him at His right side to be a Prince and Savior and to give the people of Israel [an opportunity] to repent [i.e., change their hearts and lives] and [receive] forgiveness of [their] sins [through Him].

John 3:3

Jesus said to him, “Truly, truly, I tell you, a person cannot see the kingdom of God [i.e., enter it. See verse 5], unless he is born from above.” [Note: The words “from above” are also used in verse 31, but in this place they could also mean “again,” or “anew” and refer to the source of a person’s second birth].

1 Timothy 6:16

He alone possesses immortality [Note: That is, only God possesses an eternal existence, with neither beginning nor ending. See John 5:26], and lives in unapproachable light. No one has seen Him, or can see Him. May there be honor and never ending power to Him. May it be so.