Bible Questions Answered: Tempted

Bible Questions Answered:
I see that James 1:2, and verses 13 & 14 contradict each other, how so?
Ned/ Fresno, California

Bible Answer:

No, they do not, and this is an excellent reason for obtaining a Bible concordance, showing both Greek and Hebrew.

Text:
James 1:2 KJV
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations*;

* Temptations-Greek-Perasmos (Pi-ras-mos): A putting to proof (by experiment)-test.
(All translations- - Abingdon's Strong's Exhaustive Concordance.)

James 1:13,14 KJV
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:

*Tempted-Greek-Peirazo (Pi-rad-zo): To entice (to do evil), to tempt.

*Tempted-Greek-Apeirastos (Ap-i-ras-tos): Untried i.e. not temptable, not to be tempted.

*Tempteth-Greek-Peirazo (Pi-rad-zo): To entice (to do evil), to tempt.


14 But every man is tempted*, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

*Tempted-Greek-Peirazo (Pi-rad-zo): To entice (to do evil), to tempt.

There are two different uses of the word “tempt,” from verse 2 and verses 13, & 14.
The first word used in verse 2, is that of a test, or a trial.

The word used in the first part of verse 13 is “tempted,”
Peirazo (Pi-rad-zo): To entice (to do evil), to tempt.
i.e. enticed to do evil.

13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God:

The second part of verse 13
for God cannot be tempted* with evil
The word used is
Apeirastos (Ap-i-ras-tos): Untried i.e. not temptable, not to be tempted.


The New King James, and New Living Translation, read more clearly.

James 1:2,3 NKJV
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

James 1:13,14 NKJV
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.


James 1:2 NLT
Dear brothers and sisters,when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.

James 1:13,14 NLT
13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and He never tempts anyone else.
14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.

When a man falls into sin, he cannot blame God, he must blame himself, because he was drawn away by his own desires.

Martin Luther:
A man cannot prevent a bird from flying over head, no, but he can prevent him from making a nest in his hair.

So, there is no contradiction between James 1:2, and verses 13,14.
Man is to consider trials, conflicts, sufferings, and trouble an opportunity, because God will use them to teach and to strengthen him.

I Peter 1:7 KJV
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

Our sinless and holy God, tempts no man, and cannot be tempted Himself.

Habakkuk 1:13 KJV
"Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity..."