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NASB | James 1:13 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. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | James 1:13 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. |
Bible Question:
Hello Doc, If I may sir, I have two questions from your post. If I sound like "I am not getting it," I guess it is because I'm not. Please be patient with me. Question 1: How does your logic work here? You wrote that: 1. We are commanded not to tempt God. 2. Christ was tempted. Christ is God. Therefore, God was tempted. and then you say: "These conclusions make it impossible for your friend's translation to stand." But it sounds to me like your points 1 and 2 are *exactly* what my friend is trying to get this verse to say (that is, that we are being commanded not to tempt or test God: "God ought not to be tempted")! I don't think there is anything wrong with the statement biblically or theologically. I just am questioning whether it stands up textually in this verse. Question 2: Are you suggesting that textually this verse is not saying that God is untemptable (sorry for the double-negative), but rather that God cannot be tempted to the point of giving into sin? That seemed to be the point being emphasized by the literal translation that you offered for this verse, especially in light of your acknowledgment that God can be tempted. And if that is true (if that is what you see being said and emphasized in the text of this verse), then why do you suppose that none of the major English translations have translated it that way? They all seem to emphasize that God is untemptable. I hope I am not testing your patience with my questions. I'm just trying to understand. I appreciate you taking the time to discuss this with me. |
Bible Answer: I am encouraged by your persistance in reaching biblical truth. I find to this passage of James to reveal a great aspect of God's nature. A testimony to God's perfection. Of His goodness. God will necer tempt you to commit evil. Just as I cannot tempt you into becoming a pink panda bear, no one can tempt God to do evil. Becoming a pink panda is not a power that you have just as God is not able to commit evil. It is contradictory to his nature. I believe that is why this verse is consistently translated this way in the english, because it expresses a great truth. Also, I believe Matthew 4:7 Matthew 4 7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. is enough scripture to let us know not to test God. Furthermore, incarnate Jesus had a duality of nature, fully both God and man. As a man Jesus was tempted Hebrews 4 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Because as a man he was able to sin. Answer back if you have any comments reguarding my response |