James 1:13 kjv

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

James 1:13 nkjv

Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.

James 1:13 niv

When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;

James 1:13 esv

Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.

James 1:13 nlt

And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, "God is tempting me." God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else.

James 1 verses

James 1 13 Meaning

James 1:13 firmly states that God is never the source of temptation to sin. When individuals face enticement to do evil, it is not initiated or prompted by God. This verse clarifies God's inherent moral perfection and His complete inability to be affected by or to participate in evil, thus safeguarding His pure and righteous character.

James 1 13 Context

James 1:13 serves as a pivotal theological declaration within James's letter, building upon his preceding discussion of trials. In James 1:2-4 and 1:12, the author discusses the positive spiritual benefits of enduring "trials" or "temptations" (where the Greek word peirazmos can refer to both trials and temptation to sin, but in those verses implies testing of faith). Verse 13 then introduces a crucial distinction, clarifying that while God allows and uses trials to strengthen faith, He is absolutely not the origin of evil or the instigator of sinful desires. This verse sets the stage for James 1:14-15, which explicitly attributes the source of temptation to a person's own evil desires. Historically and culturally, this verse likely acts as a polemic against pagan beliefs where deities were often capricious and could inflict or incite evil upon humans. It also counters any potential misinterpretations within Jewish thought that might attribute human sin directly to divine prompting. James categorically asserts God's purity and separates Him entirely from the initiation of wickedness.

James 1 13 Word analysis

• "Let no one say": This phrase acts as a definitive command, a prohibition against a particular thought, accusation, or complaint. It directly confronts a common human tendency to blame external forces, especially God, for one's sinful inclinations or actions.
• "when he is tempted" (πειραζόμενος, peirazomenos): Derived from the Greek verb peirazō. This verb carries a dual meaning: "to test, to try" (as in a trial that proves or refines character, often seen positively or as neutral), and "to tempt, to entice to sin" (implying seduction to wrongdoing, often seen negatively). In the context of James 1:13, the following clause "by God" and "evil" makes it unmistakably clear that peirazomenos here refers specifically to "temptation" that leads to sin, or an enticement towards moral wrong. This differentiates it sharply from the "trials" (peirazmos) mentioned in James 1:2, which God allows for spiritual growth.
• "'I am being tempted by God'": This is the specific, false attribution that James prohibits. It underscores a fundamental error: assigning blame to God for one's struggles with sin or for succumbing to wicked desires. It speaks to a human tendency to avoid personal responsibility.
• "for God": This introduces the divine nature, setting the premise for the subsequent explanation of why God cannot be the source of sin.
• "cannot be tempted by evil" (ἀπείραστος κακῶν, apeirastos kakōn): This is a strong, theological statement. Apeirastos (untested, untried, or unable to be tempted) combined with kakōn (evils, evil things). The phrase literally means "untemptable by evil things." It highlights God's absolute and intrinsic moral perfection and purity. He is not merely resistant to evil, but His very nature renders Him inherently incapable of being influenced by, enticed towards, or interacting with evil in a way that would compromise His holiness. His nature precludes any vulnerability to temptation.
• "nor does He Himself tempt anyone": This is a definitive, categorical declaration. Using the same Greek verb peirazō (tempt/test), this part of the verse explicitly asserts that God never instigates, incites, or initiates any form of temptation that aims to lead a person into sin. It further reinforces His righteous and benevolent character, leaving no room for the idea that He is the architect or promoter of human wickedness. This distinguishes God's character from any pagan deities depicted as capricious or malicious.

James 1 13 Bonus section

• The emphatic language ("Let no one say," "cannot be tempted," "nor does He Himself tempt") demonstrates James's strong insistence on the purity of God's character.
• This verse profoundly contributes to the doctrine of God's impeccability – His inability to sin and His utter separation from evil.
• The careful distinction between "testing" (which strengthens faith) and "tempting to sin" is crucial. God may allow circumstances that expose one's character, revealing faith or revealing latent sinful desires, but He never injects evil thoughts or directly urges a person towards wrongdoing. This places the burden of moral choice on the individual.
• Understanding this verse prevents a distorted view of God as arbitrary or malicious, common in some ancient belief systems, thereby upholding the biblical revelation of God's unchangeable goodness.

James 1 13 Commentary

James 1:13 provides a critical theological cornerstone, establishing God's absolute holiness and separating Him from the origin of sin. While believers endure various trials (James 1:2-4), which God permits to test and strengthen faith, this verse emphatically distinguishes such testing from tempting to evil. God is fundamentally "untemptable by evil"; His nature is perfectly good, holy, and pure, rendering Him utterly incapable of being enticed by sin. Furthermore, He never acts as the tempter of humans, meaning He does not incite, provoke, or allure anyone to commit evil. This truth directs individuals away from blaming God for their sinful desires or actions, positioning personal lust and desire as the true source of temptation (James 1:14-15). It reassures believers of God's unblemished character as the Giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17) and places the responsibility for succumbing to sin squarely on the individual.