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

3because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything. But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him. 6But he must ask in faith without doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed around by the wind. 7For that person must not suppose that he will 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 31:3and I have filled him with the Spirit of God in skill, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship,
• Exodus 36:1So Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person in whom the Lord has put skill and ability to know how to do all the work for the service of the sanctuary are to do the work according to all that the Lord has commanded.”
• 1 Kings 3:7Now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in my father David’s place, even though I am only a young man and am inexperienced.
• Job 28:12“But wisdom – where can it be found? Where is the place of understanding?
• Proverbs 3:5Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding.
• Proverbs 9:4“Whoever is naive, let him turn in here,” she says to those who lack understanding.
• Jeremiah 1:6I answered, “Oh, Lord God, I really do not know how to speak well enough for that, for I am too young.”
• 2 Corinthians 2:16to the latter an odor from death to death, but to the former a fragrance from life to life. And who is adequate for these things?
• James 1:17All generous giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change.
• James 3:17But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and not hypocritical.
• James 5:16So confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great effectiveness.
• 1 Chronicles 22:12Only may the Lord give you insight and understanding when he places you in charge of Israel, so you may obey the law of the Lord your God.
• 2 Chronicles 1:10Now give me wisdom and discernment so I can effectively lead this nation. Otherwise no one is able to make judicial decisions for this great nation of yours.”
• Proverbs 2:3indeed, if you call out for discernment – raise your voice for understanding –
• Isaiah 55:6Seek the Lord while he makes himself available; call to him while he is nearby!
• Jeremiah 29:12When you call out to me and come to me in prayer, I will hear your prayers.

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