Expositor's Bible Commentary 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)

Verses 5–8 contain God’s offer of help for those who are facing trials. The repetition of the word “lack” shows that James is still discussing the subject of trials. In v.4 he assures his readers that when perseverance has finished its work, the believer will lack none of the needed virtues and strengths. In v.5, however, James speaks of the period of testing before perseverance has completed its work. During such testing, if anyone lacks “wisdom” (GK 5053), he or she may have it by asking. People facing trials often do lack wisdom. What they need is not the speculative wisdom of a philosophical system, but the kind of wisdom that plays such a large part in the book of Proverbs (1:2–4; 2:10–15; 4:5–9). It is God-given understanding that enables a person to avoid the paths of wickedness and to live a life of righteousness. In this context wisdom is understanding the nature and purpose of trials and knowing how to meet them victoriously. Such wisdom is available to the one who will “ask God” for it, not once only, but repeatedly; the promise is that wisdom “will be given to him.” It is God’s practice to give “generously” and “without finding fault.” He does not scold his children for asking or berate them for their deficiency.