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

3For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7Such people should not 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 him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts.
• Exodus 36:1“The Lord has gifted Bezalel, Oholiab, and the other skilled craftsmen with wisdom and ability to perform any task involved in building the sanctuary. Let them construct and furnish the Tabernacle, just as the Lord has commanded.”
• 1 Kings 3:7“Now, O Lord my God, you have made me king instead of my father, David, but I am like a little child who doesn’t know his way around.
• Job 28:12“But do people know where to find wisdom? Where can they find understanding?
• Proverbs 3:5Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
• Proverbs 9:4“Come in with me,” she urges the simple. To those who lack good judgment, she says,
• Jeremiah 1:6“O Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!”
• 2 Corinthians 2:16To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?
• James 1:17Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.
• James 3:17But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.
• James 5:16Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
• 1 Chronicles 22:12And may the Lord give you wisdom and understanding, that you may obey the Law of the Lord your God as you rule over Israel.
• 2 Chronicles 1:10Give me the wisdom and knowledge to lead them properly, for who could possibly govern this great people of yours?”
• Proverbs 2:3Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding.
• Isaiah 55:6Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.
• Jeremiah 29:12In those days when you pray, I will listen.

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