Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary James 1:16

"Be not deceived, my beloved brethren." — James 1:16 (ASV)

“Don’t be deceived” normally introduces a significant statement (see 1 Corinthians 6:9; 15:33; Galatians 6:7; cf. also 1Jn 3:7). The author warns against being deceived into thinking that God is the author of temptation. In fact, the specific Greek construction used here may imply that the addressees have been engaging in the practice being prohibited. In that case James would be saying, “Stop being deceived.”