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“A Synopsis of God”
A Synopsis of God (Jam. 1:17-18)
Wade Webster
A synopsis is a brief summary of something. In the first chapter of the epistle that bears his name, James gives us a synopsis of God. He declared, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures” (Jam. 1:17-18). In these verses, we see the provision, the perfection, and the purpose of God.
First, James spoke of the Provision of God. We read, “Every good and perfect gift is from above” (Jam. 1:17). James uses the word gift. The Greek word translated as gift means “bounty.” It speaks of the abundance of things that God gives. God gives liberally (Jam.1:5). He gives richly (1 Tim. 6:17). He gives more than can be numbered. The psalmist declared, “Many, O LORD my God, are Your wonderful works Which You have done; And Your thoughts toward us Cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered” (Psa. 40:5). Now that we have considered the number of God’s gifts, we should consider the nature of God’s gifts. They are described as good and perfect. Good refers to that which is useful, pleasant, excellent, upright, and honorable. Perfect refers to that which wants or lacks nothing. In the immediate context, James spoke of two good and perfect gifts that God has given - wisdom (Jam. 2:2-5; 3:17) and the word (Jam. 1:18; cf. 2 Pet. 1:3).
Second, James spoke of the Perfection of God. We read, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (Jam.1:17). It should come as no surprise that good and perfect gifts come from a good and perfect God. They come from the Father of lights. They come from the One who gave the lights - the sun, the moon, and the stars to bless our lives. As good as these lights are, God is better. The sun, moon, and stars vary and change. God does not (Heb. 13:8). He isn’t fickle like man (Num. 23:19; 2 Pet. 3:9). He is perfect in all His ways (2 Sam. 22:31; Mt. 5:48). Moses declared, “For I proclaim the name of the LORD: Ascribe greatness to our God. He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He” (Deut. 32:3-4).
Third, James spoke of the Purpose of God. We read, “Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures” (Jam.1:18). James spoke of the will of God. The Greek word translated as will means purpose. God purposed that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. The firstfruits in the Old Testaments were given to God to honor Him (Exod. 23:19; Prov. 3:9). In like manner, it is God’s will that we present ourselves to Him (Rom. 12:1-2).
In two verses James gives a three-fold synopsis of God. May we thank God for His provision, praise Him for His perfection, and fulfill His purpose by giving ourselves to Him.
