John Calvin Commentary James 1:16

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

Do not err. This is an argument from the contrary; for since God is the author of all good, it is absurd to suppose Him to be the author of evil. Doing good properly belongs to Him and is according to His nature; from Him, all good things come to us. Therefore, any evil He does is not in accordance with His nature.

But, just as it sometimes happens that a person who acquits himself well throughout life still fails in some things, the author addresses this doubt by denying that God is changeable like humans. If God is in all things and always like Himself, it therefore follows that doing good is His perpetual work.

This reasoning is far different from that of Plato, who maintained that no calamities are sent to people by God because He is good. For though it is just that human crimes should be punished by God, it is not right, in relation to Him, to consider as evil the punishment He justly inflicts. Plato, indeed, was ignorant; but James, leaving to God His right and role of punishing, only removes blame from Him.

This passage teaches us that we should be so affected by God’s innumerable blessings, which we daily receive from His hand, that we think of nothing but His glory. We should also abhor whatever comes to our mind, or is suggested by others, that is not compatible with His praise.

God is called the Father of lights, as possessing all excellence and the highest dignity. And when he immediately adds that there is in Him no shadow of turning, he continues the metaphor, so that we may not measure God's brightness by the radiance of the sun that appears to us.