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 Living Translation (NLT)If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

Context of James 1:5

3knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 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. 6But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7For let not that man 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 wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,
• Exodus 36:1“And Bezalel and Aholiab, and every gifted artisan in whom the Lord has put wisdom and understanding, to know how to do all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, shall do according to all that the Lord has commanded.”
• 1 Kings 3:7Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in.
• Job 28:12“But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?
• Proverbs 3:5Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
• Proverbs 9:4“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,
• Jeremiah 1:6Then said I: “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.”
• 2 Corinthians 2:16To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things?
• James 1:17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
• James 3:17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
• James 5:16Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
• 1 Chronicles 22:12Only may the Lord give you wisdom and understanding, and give you charge concerning Israel, that you may keep the law of the Lord your God.
• 2 Chronicles 1:10Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of Yours?”
• Proverbs 2:3Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding,
• Isaiah 55:6Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.
• Jeremiah 29:12Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to 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
• Entice
• Fade
• Lack
• Lay
• Liberally
• Lust
• Pure
• Receive
• Religion

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