Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary James 1:17

"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." — James 1:17 (ASV)

Here follows the significant statement that the prohibition of the previous verse was intended to introduce. Instead of sending temptation, God is the giver of “every good and perfect gift.” The concept of God’s goodness rules out the possibility that he would send an influence as destructive as temptation. His gifts are marked by kindness and helpfulness, not destructiveness. They are “perfect” (GK 5455), which in this context excludes any possibility of moral evil as coming from God.

Here God is designated as “the Father of the heavenly lights”—presumably the stars and planets. “Father” probably has a twofold significance, pointing to God as the creator of the lights and to his continuing sovereignty over them.

Unlike the “shifting shadows” that are caused by the sun, moon, and stars, God “does not change.” With him there is no variation at all. The shadows cast by the sun are minimal at noon, but just before sunset they stretch out for yards across the landscape. God is not like that. He does not change. He is always the giver of good gifts, never a sadistic being who would entice his creatures to destroy themselves in sin.