James 1:5

Mace New Testament

If any of you is deficient in prudence, let him ask it of God, who liberally gives to all without upbraiding: and he will give it.

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
Do any of you need wisdom? Ask God for it. He is generous and enjoys giving to everyone. So he will give you wisdom.

Revised Standard Version
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Yf eny of you lacke wysdome let him axe of God which geveth to all men indifferentlie and casteth no man in the teth: and it shal be geven him.

Hebrew Names Version
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach; and it will be given him.

New American Standard Bible
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

New Century Version
But if any of you needs wisdom, you should ask God for it. He is generous to everyone and will give you wisdom without criticizing you.

Update Bible Version
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and does not upbraid; and it shall be given him.

Webster's Bible Translation
If any of you lacketh wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given to him.

English Standard Version
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

World English Bible
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach; and it will be given him.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
If any of you want wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him.

Weymouth's New Testament
And if any one of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask God for it, who gives with open hand to all men, and without upbraiding; and it will be given him.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And if ony of you nedith wisdom, axe he of God, which yyueth to alle men largeli, and vpbreidith not; and it schal be youun to hym.

English Revised Version
But if any of you lacketh wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Berean Standard Bible
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Contemporary English Version
If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. God is generous and won't correct you for asking.

Amplified Bible
If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him.

American Standard Version
But if any of you lacketh wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Bible in Basic English
But if any man among you is without wisdom, let him make his request to God, who gives freely to all without an unkind word, and it will be given to him.

Complete Jewish Bible
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all generously and without reproach; and it will be given to him.

Darby Translation
But if any one of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all freely and reproaches not, and it shall be given to him:

International Standard Version
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to everyone generously without a rebuke, and it will be given to him.1 Kings 3:9,11-12; Proverbs 2:3; Jeremiah 29:12; Matthew 7:7; 21:22; Mark 11:24; Luke 11:9; John 14:13; 15:7; 16:23; 1 John 5:14-15;">[xr]

Etheridge Translation
If any of you be deficient in wisdom, let him ask of Aloha, who giveth to all expansively, and upbraideth not, and it is given to him.

Murdock Translation
And if any of you lacketh wisdom, let him ask [fn] of God, who giveth to all freely, and reproacheth not; and it will be given him.

King James Version (1611)
If any of you lacke wisedome, let him aske of God, that giueth to all men liberally, and vpbraideth not: and it shalbe giuen him.

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

New Life Bible
If you do not have wisdom, ask God for it. He is always ready to give it to you and will never say you are wrong for asking.

New Revised Standard
If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you.

Geneva Bible (1587)
If any of you lacke wisedome, let him aske of God, which giueth to all men liberally, & reprocheth no man, and it shalbe giuen him.

George Lamsa Translation
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men liberally and with grace; and it shall be given him.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
But, if any of you is sinning short of wisdom, let him be asking of God, Who giveth unto all freely and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him;

Douay-Rheims Bible
But if any of you want wisdom, let him ask of God who giveth to all men abundantly and upbraideth not. And it shall be given him.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
If any of you lacke wisdome, let him aske of God, that geueth to all men indifferentlie, and casteth no man in the teeth: and it shalbe geuen hym.

Good News Translation
But if any of you lack wisdom, you should pray to God, who will give it to you; because God gives generously and graciously to all.

Christian Standard Bible®
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him.

King James Version
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.

Lexham English Bible
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask for it from God, who gives to all without reservation and not reproaching, and it will be given to him.

Literal Translation
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask from God, who gives to all freely and with no reproach, and it will be given to him.

Young's Literal Translation
and if any of you do lack wisdom, let him ask from God, who is giving to all liberally, and not reproaching, and it shall be given to him;

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Yf eny of you lacke wyssdome, let him axe of God, which geueth to all men indifferentlie, and casteth no man in the teth: and it shal be geue him.

THE MESSAGE
If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.

New English Translation
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.

New King James Version
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.

Simplified Cowboy Version
But don't forget about being smart in the ways of God. If you lack the knack of wisdom, just ask the Boss for it and he'll give it to ya.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Contextual Overview

² Consider the various tryals that surround you, my brethren, as matter of great joy; knowing this, ³ that the bringing your faith to the test, produces constancy. ⁴ but constancy should be brought to its perfection, that you may be entirely accomplished, without any defect. ⁵ If any of you is deficient in prudence, let him ask it of God, who liberally gives to all without upbraiding: and he will give it. ⁶ but let him be fully persuaded of the lawfulness of what he asks: for he that is diffident about that, is like the waves that fluctuate with the wind. ⁷ such a man must not expect any answer from the Lord. ⁸ a diffident man is inconstant in all his actions. ⁹ Let him that is poor triumph in the advantages of being a christian. ¹⁰ let the rich be humbled by his instability: for he is as transitory as a flower in the field. ¹¹ the sun is up and darts its rays, the grass is wither'd, its flowers droop, and all their beautiful appearance vanishes away. just so the rich man fades with all his projects.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

any: Exodus 31:3, Exodus 31:6, Exodus 36:1-4, 1 Kings 3:7-9, 1 Kings 3:11, 1 Kings 3:12, Job 28:12-28, Proverbs 3:5-7, Proverbs 9:4-6, Jeremiah 1:6, Jeremiah 1:7, 2 Corinthians 2:16

let: James 1:17, James 3:17, James 5:16, 1 Chronicles 22:12, 2 Chronicles 1:10, Proverbs 2:3-6, Isaiah 55:6, Isaiah 55:7, Jeremiah 29:12, Jeremiah 29:13, Daniel 2:18-22, Matthew 7:7-11, Luke 11:9-13, John 4:10, John 14:13, John 15:7, John 16:23, John 16:24, 1 John 3:22, 1 John 5:14, 1 John 5:15

and upbraideth: Matthew 11:20, Mark 16:14, Luke 15:20-22

Reciprocal: Joshua 9:14 - asked not Judges 11:11 - uttered Judges 20:7 - give here Ruth 2:15 - reproach 1 Samuel 8:6 - prayed 1 Samuel 18:15 - wisely 1 Kings 3:5 - Ask what 1 Kings 3:9 - Give therefore 1 Kings 4:29 - God 1 Kings 5:12 - as he promised him 1 Kings 10:24 - which God 2 Chronicles 1:12 - such as none 2 Chronicles 9:2 - all 2 Chronicles 9:23 - God Ezra 7:25 - the wisdom Job 12:13 - wisdom Job 28:20 - General Job 32:8 - the inspiration Job 36:3 - fetch Job 38:36 - Who hath put Psalms 25:8 - teach Psalms 73:24 - Thou Psalms 78:72 - guided Psalms 119:34 - Give me Psalms 119:125 - give Psalms 119:169 - give me Proverbs 2:6 - the Lord Proverbs 3:6 - and Proverbs 4:5 - Get wisdom Proverbs 8:9 - General Proverbs 8:17 - those Proverbs 14:6 - knowledge Proverbs 18:15 - General Proverbs 28:5 - General Proverbs 28:26 - but Proverbs 30:2 - I am Ecclesiastes 10:10 - wisdom Daniel 1:17 - God Daniel 2:21 - he giveth Daniel 9:13 - that we Matthew 10:19 - take Matthew 13:11 - Because Matthew 15:10 - Hear Mark 11:23 - and shall Mark 11:24 - What Mark 13:11 - shall be Luke 21:15 - I will Acts 4:31 - spake Acts 10:2 - and prayed Romans 8:27 - according 1 Corinthians 1:30 - wisdom 1 Corinthians 6:5 - Is it Philippians 3:15 - God Colossians 1:9 - wisdom Colossians 3:16 - all Colossians 4:5 - Walk 2 Timothy 2:7 - and James 1:4 - wanting James 3:15 - wisdom James 4:2 - because 2 Peter 3:15 - according

Cross-References

1 Corinthians 3:13
will be expos'd. for the time of tryal will show it: it shall be discovered by the fire, which will put each sort of work to the test.

Ephesians 5:13
but whatever is unjustifiable will be brought to light: and that will show them to be unjustifiable.

1 Thessalonians 5:5
you inherit the advantages of meridian light: we are not involv'd in the obscurity of night.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

If any of you lack wisdom,.... This shows that the perfection before spoken of is not to be understood as in this life, since the apostle immediately supposes lack of wisdom in them; for this is not said in a form of doubting, whether they wanted it or not, but rather as supposing, and taking it for granted that they did; and in the first, and primary sense of the words, it intends wisdom to behave aright under temptations or afflictions. Saints often want wisdom to consider God as the author of them, and not look upon them as matters of chance, or impute them merely to second causes; but to regard them as coming from the hand of God, and as his hand upon them, as Job did; who does not ascribe his calamities to the thieving Chaldeans and Sabeans, to the boisterous wind, and to the malice of Satan, but to God: they want wisdom to observe the sovereignty of God in them, and bow unto it, and be still, and know that he is God, who does all things well and wisely; and likewise to see and know that all are in love, and in very faithfulness, and for good; as well as to see his name, to hear his rod, and him that has appointed it, his voice in it, his mind and meaning, and what he designs by it; as likewise to learn the useful lessons under it, and particularly to take the cross well, to bear it patiently, and even to count it all joy, and reckon it to be right, necessary, and useful: it requires much wisdom to learn all this, and act up to it. Moreover, this may be applied to all other cases, in which wisdom is wanted; men want wisdom to conduct them in the common affairs of life, and especially the people of God; for the children of the world are wiser in their generation, for themselves and posterity, and in the management of worldly affairs, than the children of light; and also to observe the providences of God, and the footsteps of Providence, and to follow them; and likewise to make a right use of providences, and behave suitably under them, and not be lifted up too much in prosperity, nor be cast down, and too much distressed in adversity; but to consider, that the one is set against the other, and both work together for good. Saints have need of wisdom in things spiritual; they want more grace, which is the truest wisdom, and a larger knowledge of the Gospel, which is the wisdom of God, the hidden wisdom of God; and they lack wisdom to know how to walk towards them that are without, and towards them that are within, so as becomes the Gospel of Christ: and as this is more or less the case of everyone

let him ask of God wisdom; of God the Father, who is the only wise God, who has abounded in creation, in providence, and, above all, in redemption and grace, in all wisdom and prudence; and of his Son Jesus Christ, who is the wisdom of God, and has all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge in him; and of the Spirit of God, who is a Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ, and all divine things:

that giveth to all men liberally; God is the giver of all good things, in nature, providence, and grace; every good and perfect gift comes from him, and therefore he, and he only, should be applied unto: and he gives to "all men" the bounties of his providence; and to all that ask, and call upon him in sincerity, the riches of his grace; even to Jews and Gentiles, high and low, rich and poor, greater or lesser sinners; all which he gives "liberally", readily, and at once, freely and cheerfully, and largely and abundantly; not grudgingly, sparingly, and with a strait hand, but with an open one, and in a very extensive manner.

And upbraideth not; with former sins and transgressions, with former miscarriages and misconduct; or with former kindnesses, suggesting that he had given largely already, and his favours had been despised or abused; or he had been treated with ingratitude and neglect; in which manner sometimes men put off those that apply unto them, but so does not God; wherefore every word here used is encouraging to go to God for wisdom: yea, it follows,

and it shall be given him; God has said it, Christ has promised it, and the apostle might, with certainty, say it after them, and all experience confirms the truths of it; See Matthew 7:7.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

If 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, that what is here said may be applied to the need of wisdom in all respects. The particular kind of wisdom which we need in trials is to enable us to understand their design and tendency; to perform our duty under them, or the new duties which may grow out of them; to learn the lessons which God designs to teach, for he always designs to teach us some valuable lessons by affliction; and to cultivate such views and feelings as are appropriate under the peculiar forms of trial which are brought upon us; to find out the sins for which we have been afflicted, and to learn how we may avoid them in time to come. We are in great danger of going wrong when we are afflicted; of complaining and murmuring; of evincing a spirit of rebellion, and of losing the benefits which we might have obtained if we had submitted to the trial in a proper manner. So in all things we “lack wisdom.” We are short-sighted; we have hearts prone to sin; and there are great and important matters pertaining to duty and salvation on which we cannot but feel that we need heavenly guidance.

Let him ask of God - That is, for the specific wisdom which he needs; the very wisdom which is necessary for him in the particular case. It is proper to bear the very case before God; to make mention of the specific want; to ask of God to guide us in the very matter where we feel so much embarrassment. It is one of the privileges of Christians, that they may not only go to God and ask him for that general wisdom which is needful for them in life, but that whenever a particular emergency arises, a case of perplexity and difficulty in regard to duty, they may bring that particular thing before his throne, with the assurance that he will guide them. Compare Psalms 25:9; Isaiah 37:14; Joel 2:17.

That giveth to all men liberally - The word men here is supplied by the translators, but not improperly, though the promise should be regarded as restricted to those who ask. The object of the writer was to encourage those who felt their need of wisdom, to go and ask it of God; and it would not contribute anything to furnish such a specific encouragement to say of God that he gives to all men liberally whether they ask or not. In the Scriptures, the promise of divine aid is always limited to the desire. No blessing is promised to man that is not sought; no man can feel that he has a right to hope for the favor of God, who does not value it enough to pray for it; no one ought to obtain it, who does not prize it enough to ask for it. Compare Matthew 7:7-8. The word rendered “liberally” haploos - means, properly, “simply;” that is, in simplicity, sincerity, reality. It occurs nowhere else in the New Testament, though the corresponding noun occurs in Romans 12:8; 2 Corinthians 1:12; 2 Corinthians 11:3, rendered simplicity; in 2 Corinthians 8:2; 2 Corinthians 9:13, rendered “liberality,” and “liberal;” 2 Corinthians 9:11, rendered “bountifulness;” and Ephesians 6:5; Colossians 3:22, rendered “singleness,” of the heart. The idea seems to be that of openness, frankness, generosity; the absence of all that is sordid and contracted; where there is the manifestation of generous feeling, and liberal conduct. In a higher sense than in the case of any man, all that is excellent in these things is to be found in God; and we may therefore come to him feeling that in his heart there is more that is noble and generous in bestowing favors than in any other being. There is nothing that is stinted and close; there is no partiality; there is no withholding of his favor because we are poor, and unlettered, and unknown.

And upbraideth not - Does not reproach, rebuke, or treat harshly. He does not coldly repel us, if we come and ask what we need, though we do it often and with importunity. Compare Luke 18:1-7. The proper meaning of the Greek word is to rail at, reproach, revile, chide; and the object here is probably to place the manner in which God bestows his favors in contrast with what sometimes occurs among men. He does not reproach or chide us for our past conduct; for our foolishness; for our importunity in asking. He permits us to come in the most free manner, and meets us with a Spirit of entire kindness, and with promptness in granting our requests. We are not always sure, when we ask a favor of a man, that we shall not encounter something that will be repulsive, or that will mortify us; we are certain, however, when we ask a favor of God, that we shall never be reproached in an unfeeling manner, or meet with a harsh response.

And it shall be given him - Compare Jeremiah 29:12-13; “Then shall ye call upon me, and go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with your whole heart.” See also Matthew 7:7-8; Matthew 21:22; Mar 11:24; 1 John 3:22; 1 John 5:14. This promise in regard to the wisdom that may be necessary for us, is absolute; and we may be sure that if it be asked in a proper manner it will be granted us. There can be no doubt that it is one of the things which God is able to impart; which will be for our own good; and which, therefore, he is ever ready to bestow. About many things there might be doubt whether, if they were granted, they would be for our real welfare, and therefore there may be a doubt whether it would be consistent for God to bestow them; but there can be no such doubt about wisdom. That is always for our good; and we may be sure, therefore, that we shall obtain that, if the request be made with a right spirit. If it be asked in what way we may expect he will bestow it on us, it may be replied:

1. That it is through his word - by enabling us to see clearly the meaning of the sacred volume, and to understand the directions which he has there given to guide us;
2. By the secret influences of his Spirit.

(a) Suggesting to us the way in which we should go, and,

(b) Inclining us to do that which is prudent and wise; and,

1. By the events of His Providence making plain to us the path of duty, and removing the obstructions which may be in our path. It is easy for God to guide his people; and they who “watch daily at the gates, and wait at the posts of the doors” of wisdom Proverbs 8:34, will not be in danger of going astray. Psalms 25:9.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse James 1:5. If 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 Saviour.

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 does not feel his need of Divine teaching. The ancient Greek maxim appears at first view strange, but it is literally true: -

Αρχη γνωσεως της αγνοιας ἡ γνωσις.

"The knowledge of ignorance is the beginning of knowledge."

In knowledge we may distinguish these four things: -

1. INTELLIGENCE, the object of which is intuitive truths.

2. WISDOM, which is employed in finding out the best end.

3. PRUDENCE, which regulates the whole conduct through life.

4. ART, which provides infallible rules to reason by.