Devine Scripture

James 1:18

What does James 1:18 mean?

A plain-English look at James 1:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What James 1:18 means

James identifies the greatest gift: by his own will, God brought us forth through the word of truth, making us a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. Salvation originates in God’s gracious decision, not human merit. The word of truth—the gospel—was the instrument that birthed new life. Believers are “firstfruits,” the early portion dedicated to God, signaling more to come. In Christ, they are the beginning of God’s renewed creation. This frames the Christian life as a response to divine initiative. The God who does not tempt gives life, transforms desires, and sets his people apart for himself by the power of his Word.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Of his purpose he gave us being, by his true word, so that we might be, in a sense, the first-fruits of all the things which he had made.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

having counselled, He did beget us with a word of truth, for our being a certain first-fruit of His creatures.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For of his own will hath he begotten us by the word of truth, that we might be some beginning of his creature.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

According to his own will begat he us by the word of truth, that we should be a certain first-fruits of his creatures.

Context

This verse climaxes the contrast with sin’s deadly offspring. From God comes life by the gospel. Having established this theological foundation, James turns to practical implications for community life. Verses 19–20 address how believers should listen, speak, and handle anger—vital behaviors for those born by the Word. Verses 21–25 will then call for receptive obedience to that Word, contrasting mere hearing with active doing. The flow moves from new birth to new behavior.

v.17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, neither shadow that is cast by turning.

v.18This passage

v.19Ye knowthis, my beloved brethren. But let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Romans 8:29

    For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren:

  • Ephesians 1:12

    to the end that we should be unto the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ:

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:13

    But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, for that God chose you from the beginning unto salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

  • 1 Corinthians 4:15

    For though ye have ten thousand tutors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I begat you through the gospel.

  • John 1:13

    who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

  • Ephesians 2:4

    but God, being rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

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