Albert Barnes Commentary James 1:5

"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." — James 1:5 (ASV)

If any of you lack wisdom. This probably refers particularly to the kind of wisdom 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 how they should bear trials, and what they should do in the perplexities, disappointments, and bereavements that come upon them. But the language used is so general that what is said here may be applied to the need of wisdom in all respects.

The particular kind of wisdom we need in trials is to enable us to understand their design and tendency; to perform our duty under them, or the new duties that may grow out of them; to learn the lessons God designs to teach (for He always designs to teach us some valuable lessons by affliction); and to cultivate views and feelings appropriate under the peculiar forms of trial brought upon us. This wisdom also helps us to identify the sins for which we have been afflicted and to learn how we may avoid them in the future.

We are in great danger of going wrong when we are afflicted: of complaining and murmuring, of showing a spirit of insubmission, and of losing the benefits we might have obtained if we had submitted to the trial in a proper manner. So in all things we lack wisdom. We are shortsighted, we have hearts prone to sin, and there are great and important matters pertaining to duty and salvation on which we cannot help but feel that we need heavenly guidance.

Let him ask of God. This means asking for the specific wisdom he needs—the very wisdom necessary for him in the particular case. It is proper to bring the specific situation before God, to mention the specific need, and to ask God to guide us in the very matter where we feel so much difficulty. It is one of the privileges of Christians that they may not only go to God and ask Him for the general wisdom needed in life, but also that whenever a particular emergency arises—a case of perplexity and difficulty regarding duty—they may bring that specific thing before His throne, with the assurance that He will guide them. (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. It would not contribute anything to furnish such specific encouragement to say that God gives to all liberally, whether they ask or not. In the Scriptures, the promise of divine aid is always limited by desire. No blessing is promised to anyone who does not seek it; no one can feel they have 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.

. The word translated liberally (aplwv), properly means 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, and 2 Corinthians 11:3 (translated simplicity); in 2 Corinthians 8:2 and 2 Corinthians 9:13 (translated liberality and liberal); in 2 Corinthians 9:11 (translated bountifulness); and in Ephesians 6:5 and Colossians 3:22 (translated singleness, namely, of heart).

The idea seems to be that of openness, frankness, and 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 human, all that is excellent in these things is to be found in God. 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 stinted or ungenerous; there is no partiality; there is no withholding of His favor because we are poor, unlettered, or unknown.

And upbraideth not. This means He does not reproach, rebuke, or treat harshly. He does not coldly repel us if we come and ask what we need, even if we do it often and with persistence. . The proper meaning of the Greek word is to rail at, reproach, revile, or chide. The object here is probably to contrast the manner in which God bestows His favors with what sometimes occurs among humans.

He does not reproach or chide us for our past conduct, for our foolishness, or for our persistence in asking. He permits us to come in the freest 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 person, that we will not encounter something repulsive or humiliating; we are certain, however, when we ask a favor of God, that we will never be reproached in an unfeeling manner or meet with a harsh response.

And it shall be given him. (Compare to 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.) (Matthew 21:22; Mark 11:24; 1 John 3:22; 1 John 5:14).

This promise regarding the wisdom that may be necessary for us is absolute, and we may be sure that if it is asked in a proper manner, it will be granted to us. There can be no doubt that it is one of the things God is able to impart, which will be for our own good, and which, therefore, He is always 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 will obtain it if the request is made with a right spirit. If it is asked how we may expect Him to bestow it on us, it may be replied:

1. It is through His word—by enabling us to see clearly the meaning of the sacred volume and to understand the directions He has given there to guide us.
2. It is by the secret influences of His Spirit:
   • suggesting to us the way in which we should go, and
   • inclining us to do that which is prudent and wise.
3. It is by the events of His providence making the path of duty plain to us and removing the obstructions that may be in our path.

It is easy for God to guide His people; and those 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).

Note: The word "lack" can also mean "want" (in the sense of need). Regarding the phrase that giveth to all men liberally, compare also Proverbs 2:3-6. For the promise and it shall be given him, see Jeremiah 29:12.