James 1:18

For willfully he begat us by the word of truth, that we be a beginning of his creature (s). (For willingly, or by free will, he begat us by the Word of Truth, so that we hold the first rank among all his creatures.)

Wycliffe Modern Spelling

In The King James Version

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

In Context

17Each good gift, and each perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is none other changing, nor overshadowing of reward. [+Each best thing given, and all perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom is not any changing, neither shadowing of whileness, or (of) time.]

19Know ye, my brethren most (be)loved, be each man swift to hear, but slow to speak, and slow to wrath;

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Cross References

Jeremiah 2:3Israel was holy to the Lord, the first of fruits of him; men that devour that Israel, trespass; evils shall come on them, saith the Lord. (Israel was holy to the Lord, his first fruits; all who devour that Israel, trespass, or greatly sin; evils shall come upon them, saith the Lord.)

John 1:13the which not of bloods, neither of the will of (the) flesh, neither of the will of man, but be born of God. (who be born not of blood, nor by the desire of the flesh, nor by the desire of man, but be born of God.)

Romans 4:17As it is written, For I have set thee father of many folks (or For I have made thee the father of many nations and peoples), before God to whom thou hast believed. The which God quickeneth dead men, [or The which quickeneth the dead], (or The which God giveth life to the dead), and calleth those things that be not, as those that be.

Romans 9:15For he saith to Moses, I shall have mercy on whom I shall have mercy; and I shall give mercy on whom I shall have mercy.

Ephesians 1:12that we be into the praising of his glory, we that have hoped before in Christ [or we that before hoped in Christ]. (so that we can praise his glory, we who first hoped in the Messiah, or we who were the first to hope in the Messiah.)

Colossians 1:20and by him all things to be reconciled into him, and made peace by the blood of his cross, those things that be in earths, either that be in heavens. (and by him all things were reconciled to God, and he made peace by the blood of his cross, yea, for those things that be on earth, and those things that be in heaven.)

Matthew Henry on James 1:14-19

Procedure and Results of Sin. ( a. d. 61.) 13 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: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. 16 Do not err, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

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