James · Chapter 1 · God's Love
James 1:17 — Bible Verse Meaning & Context
Read this verse slowly. Let it settle before you move on.
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Both translations, side by side
WEB · World English Bible
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning shadow."
KJV · King James Version
"Every3956 good18 gift1394 and2532 every3956 perfect5046 gift1434 is2076 from above509, and cometh down2597 from575 the Father3962 of lights5457, with3844 whom3739 is1762 no3756 variableness3883, neither2228 shadow644 of turning5157."
How the translations differ: The WEB is a modern public-domain revision of the 1901 ASV; the KJV dates to 1611. The KJV uses cometh, variableness, neither, while the WEB renders these as coming, can, variation, nor. Both translate the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text — the differences are stylistic, not theological.
In context
James 1:17 in James 1
A Bible verse rarely stands alone. Here is James 1:17 read with the verses immediately before and after — the surrounding flow of James 1. Read the full chapter →
- v.15 Then the lust, when it has conceived, bears sin; and the sin, when it is full grown, produces death.
- v.16 Don’t be deceived, my beloved brothers.
- v.17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning shadow.
- v.18 Of his own will he gave birth to us by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
- v.19 So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger;
Book background
About the Book of James
- Testament
- New Testament
- Genre
- General epistle
- Author
- James, half-brother of Jesus and leader of the Jerusalem church
- Date written
- c. 45–50 AD (possibly the earliest NT book)
- Audience
- Jewish Christians scattered across the Roman world
- Chapters
- 5
James is the New Testament's wisdom book — practical, direct, and full of pithy imperatives. It tests genuine faith by visible works ("faith without works is dead" — 2:17), warns about the tongue, demands care for the poor, urges patience in trials, and insists on real-world holiness.
Setting: Written from Jerusalem in the church's earliest decade.
Key themes: wisdom · works · speech · patience · practical faith
Memorisation aid
How to memorise James 1:17
James 1:17 contains 26 words in 4 clauses. Learn one clause at a time, then chain them. The first-letter mnemonic (FLM) under each clause is a memory hook — once you can speak the FLM from memory, the full clause follows.
- 1
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above
EGGAEP
- 2
coming down from the Father of lights
CDFTFO
- 3
with whom can be no variation
WWCBNV
- 4
nor turning shadow.
NTS
Frequently asked
FAQ about James 1:17
What does James 1:17 say?
James 1:17 reads: "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning shadow." — from the New Testament, James (General epistle). The full verse is shown above with both the World English Bible (WEB) and King James Version (KJV) translations side by side.
What book of the Bible is James 1:17 in?
James 1:17 is in the book of James, traditionally attributed to James, half-brother of Jesus and leader of the Jerusalem church and written around c. 45–50 AD (possibly the earliest NT book). James is general epistle in the New Testament, originally addressed to Jewish Christians scattered across the Roman world. Best known for "faith without works is dead".
What is James 1:17 about?
James 1:17 is primarily a Bible verse about God's Love, with related themes including Gratitude. Within James, James is the New Testament's wisdom book — practical, direct, and full of pithy imperatives. Read the full passage above with surrounding context.
What is the difference between James 1:17 in WEB and KJV?
James 1:17 in the World English Bible (WEB) reads: "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning shadow.". The King James Version (KJV) reads: "Every3956 good18 gift1394 and2532 every3956 perfect5046 gift1434 is2076 from above509, and cometh down2597 from575 the Father3962 of lights5457, with3844 whom3739 is1762 no3756 variableness3883, neither2228 shadow644 of turning5157.". The WEB is a modern public-domain translation that updates the KJV's 1611 English while keeping a similar formal-equivalence style. Both render the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text.
How long is James 1:17?
James 1:17 is 26 words in the WEB translation (143 characters), broken into 4 clauses. It is a longer verse, often broken into smaller phrases for memorisation. Estimated reading time is about 8 seconds.
How can I memorise James 1:17?
To memorise James 1:17, split it into its 4 natural clauses and learn one at a time. Repeat the full verse out loud five times, then write it from memory. Saving the verse as a photo wallpaper using our verse image studio helps daily review — the visual association with a memorable background dramatically improves recall.
Why does James 1:17 matter in James?
James is the New Testament's wisdom book — practical, direct, and full of pithy imperatives. It tests genuine faith by visible works ("faith without works is dead" — 2:17), warns about the tongue, demands care for the poor, urges patience in trials, and insists on real-world holiness. James 1:17 sits within this larger story — James as a whole emphasises wisdom, works, speech.
How can I apply James 1:17 today?
Many readers use James 1:17 as a daily reminder verse — saving it as a phone wallpaper, sharing it on Pinterest, or memorising it for prayer. The verse studio on this page lets you download James 1:17 on 52 different backgrounds for free. Pair the verse with the surrounding chapter context shown above to understand its full meaning before applying it.
More designs
10 verses to read next
A fresh set of verses every visit — each on its own photo background. Tap any card to open the full study page.
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John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
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Lamentations 3:22-23
“It is because of Yahweh's loving kindnesses that we are not consumed, because his compassion doesn't fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithf…”
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1 John 4:8
“He who doesn't love doesn't know God, for God is love.”
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Romans 5:8
“But God commends his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
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1 Peter 5:7
“Casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.”
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Psalms 139:14
“I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. My soul knows that very well.”
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Lamentations 3:23
“They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
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Romans 8:38
“For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,”
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Isaiah 40:28
“Haven’t you known? Haven’t you heard? The everlasting God, Yahweh, The Creator of the ends of the earth, doesn’t faint. He isn’t weary. His understanding i…”
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Jeremiah 31:3
“Yahweh appeared of old to me, saying, “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love. Therefore I have drawn you with loving kindness.”
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More featured verses in James 1
Read full chapter →
James 1:2
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various temptations,”
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James 1:3
“knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.”
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James 1:5
“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach; and it will be given to him.”
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James 1:12
“Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to those who love him.”
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More featured verses in James
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James 5:14-15
“Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the assembly, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord, and the pra…”
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James 5:16
“Confess your offenses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective.”
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James 4:8
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
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