James Chapter 1

vs 11

Notice that wild flowers aren't destroyed because God hates them or because they've done something wrong. This is not a judgement based on a lack of righteousness. It's simply a fact that no matter how big a business you created, it won't stand the test of time. And even if it lasts for like 500 years, you won't be there to enjoy it. That's just how things work - even while you're still doing business, you'll disappear and someone else will take it over and you'll be like "Wha?".

vs 12

This verse seems to be wrapping up the idea that trials are good and people who can persevere are blessed. In that context, it would seem to be that the reason James brings up the businessman and the brother "of humble circumstances" is that this is one kind of trial people can go through. It's not only spiritual suffering that can cause you to doubt your faith - physical suffering, including poverty, can make you do the same thing.

vs 13

This makes God distinctly different from Allah, who does tempt people to sin. So here we see a classic example of something that God does not take responsibility for - and if it's not his responsibility, it's usually ours (or in a limited way Satan's).

vs 14

In this case it seems to be ours. His picture of being "dragged away and enticed" is a great one. Most people probably know what it's like to be threatened - I guess not everyone knows what it's like to be dragged somewhere to be enticed. But it has the same evil application. You are given things to satisfy your desires, and it's like a dual attempt to bribe and blackmail you. You sort of want the things that are being offered, and yet if you take them, they can then be used against you.

vs 15

What a great way of describing this evolution - the birth illustration gives us a clear idea of the progression of this concept. The word 'conceived' is actually a word play by James here, because it means both "to get pregnant" and "to take prisoner". Smart. He's almost painting a picture of a man who gets dragged away by some evil adultress and is enticed with an offer of sex. Once they do the nasty, though, the man is trapped, because she falls pregnant. They name their kid 'Sin' because that's what he was conceived in. Eventually, Sin grows up and beats the man to death.

vs 16

Taken out of context, this is a great little verse with very general application. But really I think it relates to the next couple of verses.

vs 17

So what we are not to be deceived about is that all the good stuff, well that comes from God. Don't mix it up with the enticing evil stuff that your desires will trap you in. God does not tempt us with his good stuff. They aren't all sweet and tasty one minute, and then the next like a shifting shadow you're a father and your son is giving you evil looks.

vs 18

Firstfruit in this context is being used to note the superiority of the object in question. So the reason we are reborn through his word of truth is that we might be shown superior to the humbler creation. Now while this might mean that James is trying to say that we're more important than sparrows or lillies, I think that misses the point. In the context of this passage, this statement must be to do with the nature of man who is beseiged with trials and temptations. Look just before - James had no problem saying that the humbly circumstanced man is better than the rich man. And now he is saying that the man (or woman) born of God through the truth (like being born again) is superior to the one who can't persevere in faith and who is trapped by his own desires. Christians are better. We can be humble about it, but we are better. If we aren't, then something is wrong. If everyone's "pretty good" by the world's standards, we should be awesome.