ACC ~ James 1 v18

THE HIERARCHY OF CREATURES. HILARY OF ARLES: Just as the heavenly powers rule over the angelic creatures, so we human beings rule over the lower creation. INTRODUCTORY TRACTATE ON THE LETTER OF JAMES.

FIRST FRUITS. ANDREAS: The birth here applies in the first instance to the Son and then by extension to the creatures. For to him belong truth and consubstantiality with God, whereas to the creatures belong honor and inheritance. The fact that the same name is used does not mean that the same honor is given, nor should things which are said by extension be taken to mean that they apply in the first instance as well. By “first fruits” James means that we are the first and most highly honored. For by “creatures” he means the visible creation, of which humanity is the most highly honored part. CATENA.

CHANGED TO CHILDREN OF LIGHT. BEDE: God has changed us from being children of darkness into being children of light, not because of any merits of ours but by his own will, through the water of regeneration. But lest we should think that by “begetting” us in this way God has made us somehow a part of his own nature, James goes on to add that the result of the divine activity is that we have become “the first fruits of his creatures,” which means that we have been exalted over the rest of creation. CONCERNING THE EPISTLE OF ST. JAMES.

OUR BEGOTTENNESS DISTINGUISHED FROM THAT OF THE SON. OECUMENIUS: Here James reminds us that God is immutable, which is not true of us. For if we have been born it is clear that we have also been changed. How can something be immutable if it has gone from nonbeing to being? Furthermore he adds that God has given us birth by the Word of Life, lest we might be tempted to think that his Son was also born in the same way as we are. But according to John, all things were made by the Son, which means that he was not born along with us who have been made by him. COMMENTARY ON JAMES.

Jas