James 1:6

Mace New Testament

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.

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
But when you ask God, you must believe. Don't doubt him. Whoever doubts is like a wave in the sea that is blown up and down by the wind.

Revised Standard Version
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
But let him axe in fayth and waver not. For he that douteth is lyke the waves of the see tost of the wynde and caried with violence.

Hebrew Names Version
But let him ask in faith, without any doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed.

New American Standard Bible
But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.

New Century Version
But when you ask God, you must believe and not doubt. Anyone who doubts is like a wave in the sea, blown up and down by the wind.

Update Bible Version
But let him ask in faith, doubting nothing: for he that doubts is like the surge of the sea driven by the wind and tossed.

Webster's Bible Translation
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

English Standard Version
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

World English Bible
But let him ask in faith, without any doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
But let him ask in faith, nothing doubting: for he that doubteth is like a wave of the sea, driven with the wind and tossed.

Weymouth's New Testament
But let him ask in faith and have no doubts; for he who has doubts is like the surge of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed into spray.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
But axe he in feith, and doute no thing; for he that doutith, is lijk to a wawe of the see, which is moued and borun a boute of wynde.

English Revised Version
But let him ask in faith, nothing doubting: for he that doubteth is like the surge of the sea driven by the wind and tossed.

Berean Standard Bible
But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

Contemporary English Version
But when you ask for something, you must have faith and not doubt. Anyone who doubts is like an ocean wave tossed around in a storm.

Amplified Bible
But he must ask [for wisdom] in faith, without doubting [God's willingness to help], for the one who doubts is like a billowing surge of the sea that is blown about and tossed by the wind.

American Standard Version
But let him ask in faith, nothing doubting: for he that doubteth is like the surge of the sea driven by the wind and tossed.

Bible in Basic English
Let him make his request in faith, doubting nothing; for he who has doubt in his heart is like the waves of the sea, which are troubled by the driving of the wind.

Complete Jewish Bible
But let him ask in trust, doubting nothing; for the doubter is like a wave in the sea being tossed and driven by the wind.

Darby Translation
but let him ask in faith, nothing doubting. For he that doubts is like a wave of the sea driven by the wind and tossed about;

International Standard Version
But he must ask in faith, without any doubts, for the one who has doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.Mark 11:24; 1 Timothy 2:8;">[xr]

Etheridge Translation
But let him ask in faith, not wavering [fn] For he who wavereth is like the waves of the sea which the wind disturbeth.

Murdock Translation
But let him ask in faith, not hesitating: he who hesitateth is like the waves of the sea, which the wind agitateth.

King James Version (1611)
But let him aske in faith, nothing wauering: for he that wauereth is like a waue of the sea, driuen with the wind, and tossed.

New Living Translation
But 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.

New Life Bible
You must have faith as you ask Him. You must not doubt. Anyone who doubts is like a wave which is pushed around by the sea.

New Revised Standard
But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind;

Geneva Bible (1587)
But let him aske in faith, and wauer not: for hee that wauereth, is like a waue of the sea, tost of the winde, and caried away.

George Lamsa Translation
But let him ask in faith, not doubting. For he who doubts is like the waves of the sea driven by the wind and tossed.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
But let him be asking in faith, nothing, doubting, for, he that doubteth, is like a wave of the sea, wind-driven and storm-tossed, -

Douay-Rheims Bible
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea, which is moved and carried about by the wind.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
But let hym aske in fayth, nothyng waueryng: For he that wauereth, is like a waue of the sea, tost of the wynde, and caryed with violence.

Good News Translation
But when you pray, you must believe and not doubt at all. Whoever doubts is like a wave in the sea that is driven and blown about by the wind.

Christian Standard Bible®
But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind.

King James Version
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

Lexham English Bible
But let him ask for it in faith, without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed about.

Literal Translation
But let him ask in faith, doubting nothing. For the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, being driven by wind and being tossed;

Young's Literal Translation
and let him ask in faith, nothing doubting, for he who is doubting hath been like a wave of the sea, driven by wind and tossed,

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
But let him axe in faith and wauer not. For he that douteth, is lyke the wawes of ye See, tost of the wynde, and caried wt violence.

New English Translation
But 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.

New King James Version
But 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.

Simplified Cowboy Version
You've got to truly believe he's gonna give ya what ya ask for. If you're a doubter, you ain't no more solid than rollin' paper blown away by the wind.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.

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

let: Matthew 21:22, Mark 11:22-24, 1 Timothy 2:8, Hebrews 11:6

he: Genesis 49:4, Ephesians 4:14, Hebrews 10:23, Hebrews 13:9, 2 Peter 2:17, Jude 1:12, Jude 1:13

Reciprocal: Exodus 17:12 - stayed up his hands Deuteronomy 22:9 - shalt not sow 1 Kings 3:5 - Ask what Matthew 7:7 - and it Matthew 11:7 - A reed Matthew 14:31 - O thou Matthew 21:21 - If ye have Mark 11:23 - and shall Mark 11:24 - What Luke 7:24 - A reed Luke 9:62 - No Romans 8:27 - according 2 Corinthians 6:13 - be Hebrews 10:22 - in full James 4:3 - and James 5:15 - the prayer 1 John 5:14 - if

Gill's Notes on the Bible

But let him ask in faith,.... Not only in the faith of the divine Being that God is; but in the faith of the promises he has made; and in the faith of his power and faithfulness to perform them; and in the faith of this, that whatever is asked, according to the will of God, and is for his glory, and his people's good, shall be given.

Nothing wavering; about the thing asked for, whether it is right or no to ask for it; for that should be settled before it is asked for; nor about the power of God to do it; nor about his will, in things he has declared he will do; nor about his faithfulness to his promises; nor at all questioning but what is proper, suitable, and convenient, will be given in God's own time and way.

For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed; he is troubled, restless, unquiet, and impatient; and he is fickle, inconstant, unstable, and unsettled; and is easily carried away with every wind of doctrine, temptation, and lust.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

But let him ask in faith - See the passages referred to in James 1:5. Compare the Matthew 7:7 note, and Hebrews 11:6 note. We cannot hope to obtain any favor from God if there is not faith; and where, as in regard to the wisdom necessary to guide us, we are sure that it is in accordance with his will to grant it to us, we may come to him with the utmost confidence, the most entire assurance, that it will be granted. In this case, we should come to God without a doubt that, if we ask with a proper spirit, the very thing that we ask will be bestowed on us. We cannot in all other cases be so sure that what we ask will be for our good, or that it will be in accordance with his will to bestow it; and hence, we cannot in such cases come with the same kind of faith. We can then only come with unwavering confidence in God, that he will do what is right and best; and that if he sees that what we ask will be for our good, he will bestow it upon us. Here, however, nothing prevents our coming with the assurance that the very thing which we ask will be conferred on us.

Nothing wavering - (μηδὲν διακρινόμενος mēden diakrinomenos.) “Doubting or hesitating as to nothing, or in no respect.” See Acts 20:20; Acts 11:12. In regard to the matter under consideration, there is to be no hesitancy, no doubting, no vacillation of the mind. We are to come to God with the utmost confidence and assurance.

For he that wavereth, is like a wave of the sea ... - The propriety and beauty of this comparison will be seen at once. The wave of the sea has no stability. It is at the mercy of every wind, and seems to be driven and tossed every way. So he that comes to God with unsettled convictions and hopes, is liable to be driven about by every new feeling that may spring up in the mind. At one moment, hope and faith impel him to come to God; then the mind is at once filled with uncertainty and doubt, and the soul is agitated and restless as the ocean. Compare Isaiah 57:20. Hope on the one hand, and the fear of not obtaining the favor which is desired on the other, keep the mind restless and discomposed.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 6. Let him ask in faith — Believing that God IS; that he has all good; and that he is ever ready to impart to his creatures whatever they need.

Nothing wavering. — μηδεν διακρινομενος. Not judging otherwise; having no doubt concerning the truth of these grand and fundamental principles, never supposing that God will permit him to ask in vain, when he asks sincerely and fervently. Let him not hesitate, let him not be irresolute; no man can believe too much good of God.

Is like a wave of the sea — The man who is not thoroughly persuaded that if he ask of God he shall receive, resembles a wave of the sea; he is in a state of continual agitation; driven by the wind, and tossed: now rising by hope, then sinking by despair.