CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>James 1:13 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/james/1-13.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/59_Jas_01_13.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="James 1:13 - Good and Perfect Gifts" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="When tempted, no one should say, God is tempting me. For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/james/1-13.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/james/1-13.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/james/">James</a> > <a href="/james/1.htm">Chapter 1</a> > Verse 13</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad13.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/james/1-12.htm" title="James 1:12">◄</a> James 1:13 <a href="/james/1-14.htm" title="James 1:14">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/james/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/james/1.htm">New International Version</a> When tempted, no one should say, &#8220God is tempting me.&#8221 For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; <a href="/nlt/james/1.htm">New Living Translation</a> 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. <a href="/esv/james/1.htm">English Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/bsb/james/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone. <a href="/blb/james/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Let no one being tempted say, "I am being tempted by God." For God is unable to be tempted by evils, and He Himself tempts no one. <a href="/kjv/james/1.htm">King James Bible</a> 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: <a href="/nkjv/james/1.htm">New King James Version</a> 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. <a href="/nasb_/james/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> No one is to say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. <a href="/nasb/james/1.htm">NASB 1995</a> Let no one say when he is tempted, &#8220I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. <a href="/nasb77/james/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. <a href="/lsb/james/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. <a href="/amp/james/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God” [for temptation does not originate from God, but from our own flaws]; for God cannot be tempted by [what is] evil, and He Himself tempts no one. <a href="/csb/james/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> No one undergoing a trial should say, “I am being tempted by God,” since God is not tempted by evil, and he himself doesn’t tempt anyone. <a href="/hcsb/james/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> No one undergoing a trial should say, &#8220I am being tempted by God.&#8221 For God is not tempted by evil, and He Himself doesn&#8217t tempt anyone. <a href="/asv/james/1.htm">American Standard Version</a> Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempteth no man: <a href="/cev/james/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Don't blame God when you are tempted! God cannot be tempted by evil, and he doesn't use evil to tempt others. <a href="/erv/james/1.htm">English Revised Version</a> Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempteth no man: <a href="/gwt/james/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> When someone is tempted, he shouldn't say that God is tempting him. God can't be tempted by evil, and God doesn't tempt anyone. <a href="/gnt/james/1.htm">Good News Translation</a> If we are tempted by such trials, we must not say, "This temptation comes from God." For God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one. <a href="/isv/james/1.htm">International Standard Version</a> When someone is tempted, he should not say, "I am being tempted by God," because God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone. <a href="/msb/james/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> When tempted, no one should say, ?God is tempting me.? For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone. <a href="/net/james/1.htm">NET Bible</a> Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one. <a href="/nheb/james/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one. <a href="/wbt/james/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted by God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: <a href="/wey/james/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Let no one say when passing through trial, "My temptation is from God;" for God is incapable of being tempted to do evil, and He Himself tempts no one. <a href="/web/james/1.htm">World English Bible</a> Let no man say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God,” for God can’t be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/james/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Let no one who is being tempted say, “I am tempted from God,” for God is not tempted by evils, and Himself tempts no one, <a href="/blb/james/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Let no one being tempted say, "I am being tempted by God." For God is unable to be tempted by evils, and He Himself tempts no one. <a href="/ylt/james/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Let no one say, being tempted -- 'From God I am tempted,' for God is not tempted of evil, and Himself doth tempt no one, <a href="/slt/james/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Let none say being tempted, that I am tempted of God: for God is not tempted of evils, and he tempts none:<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/james/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Let no man, when he is tempted, say that he is tempted by God. For God is not a tempter of evils, and he tempteth no man. <a href="/cpdv/james/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> No one should say, when he is tempted, that he was tempted by God. For God does not entice toward evils, and he himself tempts no one. <a href="/nabre/james/1.htm">New American Bible</a> No one experiencing temptation should say, “I am being tempted by God”; for God is not subject to temptation to evil, and he himself tempts no one. <a href="/nrsvce/james/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> No one, when tempted, should say, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil and he himself tempts no one.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/james/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither does he tempt any man: <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/james/1.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> A man should not say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”, for God is not acquainted with evil and he does not tempt a man.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/james/1.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Let no one say, when he is tempted, My temptation is from God; for God can not be tempted by evils, and he himself tempts no man. <a href="/godbey/james/1.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> Let no one being tempted say, I am tempted from God. For God can not be tempted with evils, and he tempts no one: <a href="/haweis/james/1.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Let no man under temptation say, I am tempted of God: for God is incapable of temptation from evils, and he tempteth no man: <a href="/mace/james/1.htm">Mace New Testament</a> Let no man under temptation, say, it is God that tempts him; for as he is incapable of moral evil, he can't influence any one thereto. <a href="/wey/james/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Let no one say when passing through trial, "My temptation is from God;" for God is incapable of being tempted to do evil, and He Himself tempts no one. <a href="/worrell/james/1.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> Let no one, when tempted, say, "I am tempted from God"; for God cannot be tempted with evils, and He Himself tempteth no one. <a href="/worsley/james/1.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Let no one that is tempted say, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted by evils, and He tempteth no one. <a href="/parallel/james/1-13.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0xUBCzqsAGw?start=100" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/james/1.htm">Good and Perfect Gifts</a> 12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. 13<a href="/greek/3985.htm" title="3985: peirazomenos (V-PPM/P-NMS) -- To try, tempt, test. From peira; to test, i.e. Endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline.">When tempted,</a> <a href="/greek/3367.htm" title="3367: Mēdeis (Adj-NMS) -- No one, none, nothing. ">no one</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legetō (V-PMA-3S) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">should say,</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">“</a> <a href="/greek/575.htm" title="575: Apo (Prep) -- From, away from. A primary particle; off, i.e. Away, in various senses."></a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theou (N-GMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God</a> <a href="/greek/3985.htm" title="3985: peirazomai (V-PIM/P-1S) -- To try, tempt, test. From peira; to test, i.e. Endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline.">is tempting me.”</a> <a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.">For</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theos (N-NMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist."></a> <a href="/greek/551.htm" title="551: apeirastos (Adj-NMS) -- Untried, inexperienced, untempted, incapable of being tempted. Untried, i.e. Not temptable.">cannot be tempted</a> <a href="/greek/2556.htm" title="2556: kakōn (Adj-GNP) -- Bad, evil, in the widest sense. Apparently a primary word; worthless, i.e. depraved, or injurious.">by evil,</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">nor</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autos (PPro-NM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> <a href="/greek/3985.htm" title="3985: peirazei (V-PIA-3S) -- To try, tempt, test. From peira; to test, i.e. Endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline.">does He tempt</a> <a href="/greek/3762.htm" title="3762: oudena (Adj-AMS) -- No one, none, nothing. ">anyone.</a> 14But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-13.htm">1 Corinthians 10:13</a> No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it. <a href="/matthew/6-13.htm">Matthew 6:13</a> And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ <a href="/genesis/3-1.htm">Genesis 3:1-6</a> Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field that the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’” / The woman answered the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden, / but about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You must not eat of it or touch it, or you will die.’” ... <a href="/hebrews/4-15.htm">Hebrews 4:15</a> For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin. <a href="/1_john/2-16.htm">1 John 2:16</a> For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. <a href="/romans/6-12.htm">Romans 6:12-14</a> Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its desires. / Do not present the parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and present the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness. / For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. <a href="/1_peter/5-8.htm">1 Peter 5:8-9</a> Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. / Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. <a href="/galatians/5-16.htm">Galatians 5:16-17</a> So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. / For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want. <a href="/job/1-6.htm">Job 1:6-12</a> One day the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. / “Where have you come from?” said the LORD to Satan. “From roaming through the earth,” he replied, “and walking back and forth in it.” / Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one on earth like him, a man who is blameless and upright, who fears God and shuns evil.” ... <a href="/2_peter/2-9.htm">2 Peter 2:9</a> if all this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment. <a href="/matthew/4-1.htm">Matthew 4:1-11</a> Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. / After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry. / The tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” ... <a href="/proverbs/19-3.htm">Proverbs 19:3</a> A man’s own folly subverts his way, yet his heart rages against the LORD. <a href="/deuteronomy/8-2.htm">Deuteronomy 8:2-3</a> Remember that these forty years the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments. / He humbled you, and in your hunger He gave you manna to eat, which neither you nor your fathers had known, so that you might understand that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. <a href="/1_timothy/6-9.htm">1 Timothy 6:9-10</a> Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. / For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. <a href="/psalms/66-10.htm">Psalm 66:10-12</a> For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us like silver. / You led us into the net; You laid burdens on our backs. / You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but You brought us into abundance.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempts he any man:no man.<a href="/james/1-2.htm">James 1:2,12</a> My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; … <a href="/genesis/3-12.htm">Genesis 3:12</a> And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.<a href="/isaiah/63-17.htm">Isaiah 63:17</a> O LORD, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, and hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants' sake, the tribes of thine inheritance.evil.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/hebrews/12-16.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-4.htm">Incapable</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-29.htm">Passing</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-27.htm">Possible</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-16.htm">Puts</a> <a href="/hebrews/3-9.htm">Tempt</a> <a href="/james/1-12.htm">Temptation</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-37.htm">Tempted</a> <a href="/john/8-6.htm">Tempting</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-36.htm">Tested</a> <a href="/james/1-12.htm">Trial</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/james/1-14.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/hosea/8-5.htm">Incapable</a> <a href="/1_peter/5-9.htm">Passing</a> <a href="/2_peter/1-15.htm">Possible</a> <a href="/james/5-6.htm">Puts</a> <a href="/genesis/22-1.htm">Tempt</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-9.htm">Temptation</a> <a href="/james/1-14.htm">Tempted</a> <a href="/matthew/16-1.htm">Tempting</a> <a href="/james/1-14.htm">Tested</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-7.htm">Trial</a><div class="vheading2">James 1</div>1. <a href="/james/1-1.htm">James greets the twelve tribes among the nations;</a> 2. <a href="/james/1-2.htm">exhorts to rejoice in trials and temptations;</a> 5. <a href="/james/1-5.htm">to ask patience of God;</a> 13. <a href="/james/1-13.htm">and in our trials not to impute our weakness, or sins, to him,</a> 19. <a href="/james/1-19.htm">but rather to hearken to the word, to meditate on it, and to do thereafter.</a> 26. <a href="/james/1-26.htm">Otherwise men may seem, but never be, truly religious.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/james/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/james/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/james/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>When tempted Temptation is a common experience for all believers, reflecting the universal struggle against sin. The Greek word for "tempted" can also mean "tested," indicating both trials and enticements to sin. In the biblical context, temptation often serves as a test of faith, as seen in the trials of Job or the testing of Abraham. Understanding temptation as a test can help believers see it as an opportunity for spiritual growth.no one should say, “God is tempting me.” This phrase emphasizes personal responsibility in the face of temptation. It reflects the biblical teaching that God is holy and cannot be the source of evil. The Israelites in the wilderness often blamed God for their hardships, but James corrects this misunderstanding. Theologically, this aligns with the nature of God as depicted throughout Scripture, where God is consistently portrayed as righteous and just.For God cannot be tempted by evil This statement underscores the absolute holiness and purity of God. Unlike humans, God is not susceptible to evil influences. This is consistent with the portrayal of God in the Old Testament, where His holiness is a central theme, as seen in Isaiah's vision (<a href="/isaiah/6-3.htm">Isaiah 6:3</a>). The idea that God is beyond temptation assures believers of His unchanging nature and perfect goodness.nor does He tempt anyone God's role in the life of believers is to guide and support, not to lead them into sin. This aligns with the Lord's Prayer, where Jesus teaches His followers to pray, "Lead us not into temptation" (<a href="/matthew/6-13.htm">Matthew 6:13</a>). Theologically, this reflects God's desire for His people to pursue righteousness and holiness, as He provides a way out of temptation (<a href="/1_corinthians/10-13.htm">1 Corinthians 10:13</a>). This assurance encourages believers to trust in God's provision and guidance.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/james.htm">James</a> The author of the epistle, traditionally identified as James, the brother of Jesus and a leader in the early Jerusalem church. He writes to Jewish Christians scattered among the nations. 2. <a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a> The central figure in this verse, described as being beyond temptation and not the source of human temptation. 3. <a href="/topical/t/temptation.htm">Temptation</a> A key event or experience discussed in this verse, referring to the trials or enticements to sin that believers face.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_the_nature_of_god.htm">Understanding the Nature of God</a> God is holy and cannot be associated with evil. Recognizing His nature helps us trust in His goodness and purity. <a href="/topical/p/personal_responsibility_in_temptation.htm">Personal Responsibility in Temptation</a> Believers must acknowledge their own role in succumbing to temptation rather than attributing it to God. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_free_will.htm">The Role of Free Will</a> God has given humans free will, and with it comes the responsibility to choose righteousness over sin. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_spiritual_discernment.htm">The Importance of Spiritual Discernment</a> Christians should develop discernment to recognize the source of their temptations and respond appropriately. <a href="/topical/r/relying_on_god's_strength.htm">Relying on God's Strength</a> In times of temptation, believers are encouraged to rely on God's strength and seek His guidance through prayer and Scripture.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_james_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from James 1</a> <a href="/q/how_can_god_test_but_not_tempt.htm">James 1:13 states God does not tempt anyone, yet other passages show God testing people; how can these be reconciled? </a> <a href="/q/what_means_god_can't_be_tempted.htm">What does it mean that God cannot be tempted?</a> <a href="/q/why_did_god_test_job_and_abraham.htm">If God doesn’t tempt anyone (James 1:13), why did He test Job, Abraham, and others?</a> <a href="/q/bible's_view_on_lust,_temptation.htm">What does the Bible say about lust and temptation?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/james/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(13) Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God.--Far be it from the true Christian either to give way to sin "that grace may abound" (<a href="/romans/6-1.htm" title="What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?">Romans 6:1</a>), or to suppose for one moment that God, and therefore power invincible, is drawing him from righteousness. Almost every reflection upon the nature of sin leads up to an inquiry as to its cause; and the enigma will hardly be solved in this life. The very facts of the presence of evil amongst God's creatures, and its continual attraction even for the best, have often driven men to doubt His supremacy. Sadly--how can we of charity think otherwise?--some have felt the pain, but not the purpose of the world. At times they cannot see in nature "the work of a Being at once good and omnipotent," and prefer to doubt the latter quality sooner than the former.[14] But this nineteenth-century conclusion is no advance beyond the dual system of the Persians, or rather, of Manes, who corrupted with his Indian fancies the faith of Zoroaster. The Manichees settled the difficulty better than our Deists by declaring the existence of a good God and a bad one; and appealed to the daily strife between virtue and vice, nay, life and death, in witness of their simple creed. Thanks to the gospel, a nobler theology is our Christian heritage, whereby we are persuaded that good will triumph at the last, and by which we are taught humility withal to own that God's ways in so permitting and overworking evil are beyond man's comprehension. And a better scepticism remains for us than that of the Theist, or Agnostic either; a disbelief more vehement that here can be the end, since in this life we experience in no sense the rewards of just and unjust to the full.[14] Specially see J. S. Mill's "Three Essays on Religion." Nature, p. 38.For God cannot be tempted with evil.--We can see here a good instance of the excellence of the old Geneva Bible, "the first on several occasions to seize the exact meaning of a passage which all the preceding versions had missed." Our present rendering follows the Genevan exactly, rejecting those of Wiclif. "God is not a tempter of yuell things"; Tyndale, "God tempteth not vnto evyll"; and Cranmer, "God cannot tempte vnto euyll."Neither tempteth he any man.--The trial comes of Him, i.e., the Tempter is allowed; but so far, and no further. God Himself is "unversed of evils," and no possibility of temptation remains with Him. Into the unseen splendour of His fulness no thought of wrong can enter; no foul thing wing its silent flight. It were blasphemy, perilously near that of the Pharisees (<a href="/context/matthew/12-22.htm" title="Then was brought to him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, so that the blind and dumb both spoke and saw.">Matthew 12:22-37</a>) to think God's kingdom could be so divided against itself, that He, directly or indirectly, should seduce His subjects into the revolt of sin. No; if we have one golden clue by which we may feel our erring way out of the labyrinth of this lower world into the belief and trust in God our Father for the life to come, it is this: trials and temptations are permitted to strengthen us--if we will--for His mightier service. And, as compulsory homage would be worthless to the loving Lord of all, voluntary must be found instead, and proved and perfected. Herein is the Christian conflict, and the secret of God's ways with man.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/james/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 13. - God is not the author of temptation; cf. Ecclus. 15:11, 12, "Say not thou, It is through the Lord that I fell away: for thou oughtest not to do the things that he hateth. Say not thou, He hath caused me to err: for he hath no need of the sinful man." From God; ἀπὸ Θεοῦ (the article is wanting in א, A, B, C, K, L). Contrast ὑπὸ τῆς ἰδίας ἐπιθυμίας. Ἀπὸ Θεοῦ is a more general expression than ὑπὸ Θεοῦ, which would refer the temptation immediately to God. Ἀπὸ Θεοῦ is frequently used as a kind of adverb divinitus. Cannot be tempted; ἀπείραστος: an ἅπαξ λεγόμενον. Syriac, "is not tempted with evils;" Vulgate, inten-tator malorum; R.V., "cannot be tempted of evil;" R.V. margin, "is untried in evil." Alford has a good note on this word, in which he points out that it has but two meanings: (1) that has not been tried; (2) that has not tried. The rendering of the Vulgate is thus etymologically possible, but is against the context. The use of the word may, perhaps, be extended somewhat wider than the renderings given above would allow, so that it may be paraphrased as "out of the sphere of evils" (Farrar). Neither tempteth he, etc. Here the writer has in his mind the conception of a direct temptation from God. Αὐτός is emphatic. Render with R.V., And he himself tempteth no man. <a href="/commentaries/james/1-13.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>When tempted, πειραζόμενος (peirazomenos) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3985.htm">Strong's 3985: </a> To try, tempt, test. From peira; to test, i.e. Endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline. no one Μηδεὶς (Mēdeis) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3367.htm">Strong's 3367: </a> No one, none, nothing. should say, λεγέτω (legetō) Verb - Present Imperative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. “God Θεοῦ (Theou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. is tempting me.” πειράζομαι (peirazomai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3985.htm">Strong's 3985: </a> To try, tempt, test. From peira; to test, i.e. Endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline. For γὰρ (gar) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1063.htm">Strong's 1063: </a> For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason. God Θεὸς (Theos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. cannot be tempted ἀπείραστός (apeirastos) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_551.htm">Strong's 551: </a> Untried, inexperienced, untempted, incapable of being tempted. Untried, i.e. Not temptable. by evil, κακῶν (kakōn) Adjective - Genitive Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2556.htm">Strong's 2556: </a> Bad, evil, in the widest sense. Apparently a primary word; worthless, i.e. depraved, or injurious. [nor] δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. does He tempt πειράζει (peirazei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3985.htm">Strong's 3985: </a> To try, tempt, test. From peira; to test, i.e. Endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline. [anyone]. οὐδένα (oudena) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3762.htm">Strong's 3762: </a> No one, none, nothing. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/james/1-13.htm">James 1:13 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/james/1-13.htm">James 1:13 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/james/1-13.htm">James 1:13 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/james/1-13.htm">James 1:13 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/james/1-13.htm">James 1:13 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/james/1-13.htm">James 1:13 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/james/1-13.htm">James 1:13 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/james/1-13.htm">James 1:13 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/james/1-13.htm">James 1:13 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/james/1-13.htm">James 1:13 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/james/1-13.htm">NT Letters: James 1:13 Let no man say when he (Ja Jas. Jam) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/james/1-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="James 1:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="James 1:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/james/1-14.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="James 1:14"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="James 1:14" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>