Discovery BoxJames 1:17-18 
Context1:17 All generous giving and every perfect gift 1 is from above, coming down 2 from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change. 3 1:18 By his sovereign plan he gave us birth 4 through the message of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
1 tn The first phrase refers to the action of giving and the second to what is given.
2 tn Or “All generous giving and every perfect gift from above is coming down.”
3 tn Grk “variation or shadow of turning” (referring to the motions of heavenly bodies causing variations of light and darkness).
4 tn Grk “Having willed, he gave us birth.”
