James 1:5

James 1:5 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
• New International Version (NIV)If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
• English Standard Version (ESV)If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
• New King James Version (NKJV)If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Context of James 1:5

3You know that such testing of your faith produces endurance. 4Endure until your testing is over. Then you will be mature and complete, and you won’t need anything. If any of you needs wisdom to know what you should do, you should ask God, and he will give it to you. God is generous to everyone and doesn’t find fault with them. 6When you ask for something, don’t have any doubts. A person who has doubts is like a wave that is blown by the wind and tossed by the sea. 7A person who has doubts shouldn’t expect to receive anything from the Lord.

James 1:5 word by word

εἰ δέ τις ὑμῶν λείπεται σοφίας, αἰτείτω παρὰ τοῦ διδόντος θεοῦ πᾶσιν ἁπλῶς καὶ μὴ ὀνειδίζοντος, καὶ δοθήσεται αὐτῷ.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• ·δέde · thenG1161
• Ifεἰei · ifG1487
• anyτιςtis · oneG5100
• of youσύsu · youG4771
• lackλείπωleipō · to lackG3007
• wisdomσοφίαsophia · wisdomG4678
• let him askαἰτέωaiteō · to askG154
• ofπαράpara · from/with/besideG3844
• Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
• that givethδίδωμιdidōmi · to giveG1325
• to allπᾶςpas · allG3956
• liberallyἁπλῶςhaplōs · without reserveG574
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• upbraidethὀνειδίζωoneidezō · to revileG3679
• notμήmē · notG3361
• himαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846

Cross-references for James 1:5

• Exodus 31:3I have filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God, making him highly skilled, resourceful, and knowledgeable in all trades.
• Exodus 36:1⌞Moses continued,⌟ “So Bezalel and Oholiab will do the work as the Lord has commanded. They will do this with the help of every other craftsman to whom the Lord has given the necessary skills and talents. They will know how to do all the work for constructing the holy place.”
• 1 Kings 3:7“Lord my God, although I’m young and inexperienced, you’ve made me king in place of my father David.
• Job 28:12“Where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding live?
• Proverbs 3:5Trust the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding.
• Proverbs 9:4“Whoever is gullible turn in here!” She says to a person without sense,
• Jeremiah 1:6I, Jeremiah, said, “Almighty Lord, I do not know how to speak. I am only a boy!”
• 2 Corinthians 2:16To some people we are a deadly fragrance, while to others we are a life-giving fragrance. Who is qualified to tell about Christ?
• James 1:17Every good present and every perfect gift comes from above, from the Father who made the sun, moon, and stars. The Father doesn’t change like the shifting shadows produced by the sun and the moon.
• James 3:17However, the wisdom that comes from above is first of all pure. Then it is peaceful, gentle, obedient, filled with mercy and good deeds, impartial, and sincere.
• James 5:16So admit your sins to each other, and pray for each other so that you will be healed. Prayers offered by those who have God’s approval are effective.
• 1 Chronicles 22:12The Lord will give you insight and understanding as he commands you to take charge of Israel and to follow the Teachings of the Lord your God.
• 2 Chronicles 1:10Give me wisdom and knowledge so that I may lead these people. After all, who can judge this great people of yours?”
• Proverbs 2:3if indeed you call out for insight, if you ask aloud for understanding,
• Isaiah 55:6Seek the Lord while he may be found. Call on him while he is near.
• Jeremiah 29:12Then you will call to me. You will come and pray to me, and I will hear you.

Commentaries on James 1:5

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 5If any of you lack wisdom - Wisdom signifies in general knowledge of the best end, and the best means of attaining it; but in Scripture it signifies the same as true religion, the thorough practical knowledge of God, of one's self, and of a Savior. Let him ask of God - Because God is the only teacher of this wisdom. That giveth to all men liberally - Who has all good, and gives all necessary good to every one that asks fervently. He who does not ask thus…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 5If any of you lack wisdom - Probably this refers particularly to the kind of wisdom which they would need in their trials, to enable them to bear them in a proper manner, for there is nothing in which Christians more feel the need of heavenly wisdom than in regard to the manner in which they should bear trials, and what they should do in the perplexities, and disappointments, and bereavements that come upon them; but the language employed is so general…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 5-8James introduces wisdom as a common theme (compare 3:13–18).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 55. English Version omits "But," which the Greek has, and which is important. "But (as this perfect entireness wanting nothing is no easy attainment) if any," &c. lack--rather, as the Greek word is repeated after James's manner, from Jas 1:4, "wanting nothing," translate, "If any of you want wisdom," namely, the wisdom whereby ye may "count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations," and "let patience have her perfect work." This "wisdom" is shown in…Read the comment

Topics related to James 1:5

• Gifts from God
• God
• Ignorance
• Prayer
• Righteous
• Wisdom

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Entice
• Fade
• Lack
• Lay
• Liberally
• Lust
• Pure
• Receive

Commentaries on James 1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings