12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.
14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.
15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
endures (v.12) — the verb form of the word “patience”
approved (v.12) — passed the test
[Verse 12] will have specific application to the Jews during the Great Tribulation. Those who “endure unto the end … shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13; Mark 13:13), i.e., receive their “crown of life” (Revelation 2:10) and be delivered into the Millennial Kingdom. — Grace, page 2196.
Verse 13 changes to focus from the testing of faith to the temptation to sin.
The word “temptation” that James uses her speaks of “a putting to proof, by experiment of good, or experience of evil, solicitation.” Our English word temptation is almost exclusively used today as a prompting to do evil. The biblical term, however, can also mean a “trial” sent by God which serves to test a believer’s faith (Genesis 22:1 cf. Hebrews 11:17). This twofold meaning is clearly exhibited in the above passages. … The testings of God are always meant to bring out the good. … The purpose of [Satan, on the other hand] is to appeal to the base nature of the believer and cause him to stumble in the faith.— Sadler, page 41-42.
Even though temptation can result in spiritual growth, God does not send it.
This passage settles the question with which so many believers are troubled: “Could the Lord Jesus Christ sin?” They generally quote in connection with this Hebrews 4:15, that He was tempted in all points as we are. They claim that “all points” includes temptation to sin coming from within. … Our Lord Jesus Christ is very God. Being manifested in the flesh does not mean that He laid aside His Deity. James says, “God cannot be tempted with evil,” for God is absolutely holy. Therefore our Lord could not be tempted with evil. He had nothing of fallen man in Him; the prince of this world (Satan) came and found nothing in Him. Furthermore, the correct translation of Hebrews 4:15 is as follows: But was in all points tempted like as we are, apart from sin. In all other points our blessed Lord was tempted, but never by indwelling sin, for He was absolutely holy in His human nature, given to Him by the Holy Spirit. — Gaebelein, page 1128.
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