above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. 18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. tempted (v. 13)—The same Greek word translated “trials” (vv. 2–12) is also translated “temptation” here. James’s point is that every difficult circumstance that enters a believer’s life can either strengthen him, if he obeys God and remains confident in His care, or become a solicitation