Matthew Poole and continuators on James 1:13

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 .

Neither with his Mouth, nor so much as in his Heart blasphemously cast the blame of his Sins upon God, to clear himself.

So stirred up to sin, as to be drawn to it.

Either sollicited by God to sin, or enforced to it.

Cannot be drawn aside to any thing that is unrighteous, by any motion from within, or Impression from without.

Doth no way seduce, or enforce to sin, so as to be justly chargeable, as the Author of it. Object. God is said to be tempted, Exod. 17.2, 7. Deut. 6.16. Psalm 78.41. and to tempt, Gen. 22.1. Deut. 8.2. and 13.3. Answ. Both are to be understood of Temptations of Exploration, or for the Discovery of something that was before hidden. Men tempt God, that they may know what he will do: God tempts Men, that they (not he, for he knows it already) may know what themselves will do, which then appears, when the Temptation draws it out; but neither is to be understood of the Temptation here spoken of, viz. of Seduction, or drawing into Sin. God tempts by giving hard Commands, Gen. 22.1. by afflicting, as in Iob's case, by letting loose Satan, or other wicked Instruments to tempt, 1 King. 22.22. by withholding his Grace, and deserting Men, 1 Sam. 28.15. by presenting Occasions, which Corruption within improves unto Sin, and by ordering and governing the evil Wills of Men; as that a Thief should steal out of this Flock, rather than that; that Nebuchadnezzar should rather come against Ierusalem, than Rabbah, Ezek. 21.21, 22. But God doth not tempt by commanding, suggesting, solliciting, or perswading to sin.

Marginal references: Or, E[illegible: 1 letter]ils.