## Every good gift and every perfect gift ##

These two phrases mean basically the same thing. James uses them to emphasize that anything good that a person has comes from God. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])

## from above  ##

"from heaven"

## the Father of lights ##

God is the creator of all the lights in the sky (sun, moon, and stars).

## He does not change like shifting shadows ##

This is a simile that compares the unchanging God being a constant light to the changing and moving lights in the sky (sun, moon, and stars). AT: "God does not change like shadows that appear and disappear." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])

## to give us ##

The word "us" refers to James and his audience (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-inclusive]]).

## give us life ##

"give us spiritual life" (UDB)

## the word of truth ##

"the Gospel" or "the teachings of Jesus"

## like firstfruits ##

James is emphasizing that just like the first fruit of a crop, his audience was among the first believers of what would be many believers in the future. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])

## among his creatures ##

"among his people"