John Calvin Commentary James 1:6

"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." — James 1:6 (ASV)

But let him ask in faith. He shows here, first, the right way of praying. For as we cannot pray without the word, as it were, leading the way, so we must believe before we pray, for we testify by prayer that we hope to obtain from God the grace which he has promised.

Thus, everyone who has no faith in the promises prays insincerely. From this, we also learn what true faith is; for James, after having instructed us to ask in faith, adds this explanation: nothing wavering, or, doubting nothing. Then faith is that which relies on God’s promises and makes us sure of obtaining what we ask.

Therefore, it follows that it is connected with confidence and certainty regarding God’s love towards us. The verb διακρίνεσθαι, which he uses, properly means to inquire into both sides of a question, in the manner of lawyers. He would then have us be so convinced of what God has once promised as not to admit a doubt whether we will be heard or not.

He that wavereth, or doubteth. By this analogy, he strikingly expresses how God punishes the unbelief of those who doubt his promises. For, by their own restlessness, they torment themselves inwardly, for there is never any calmness for our souls unless they rest on the truth of God. He finally concludes that such people are unworthy to receive anything from God.

This is a remarkable passage, suited to disprove that impious dogma which is regarded as an oracle throughout the Papacy—namely, that we should pray doubtingly and with uncertainty about our success.

Therefore, we hold this principle: our prayers are not heard by the Lord unless we have confidence that we will obtain what we ask. Indeed, it cannot be otherwise: through the infirmity of our flesh, we are inevitably tossed by various temptations, which are like instruments used to shake our confidence. Consequently, everyone tends to waver and tremble according to the feelings of their flesh. However, temptations of this kind must finally be overcome by faith.

The case is the same as with a tree that has taken firm root: it indeed shakes when the wind blows, but it is not uprooted. On the contrary, it remains firm in its own place.