James Chapter 1 — Commentary on Verse 5

    Ifanyofyoulackswisdom,heshouldaskGod,whogivesgenerouslytoallwithoutfindingfault, and it will be given to him.

    The apostle says that to bear afflictions requires a great deal of spiritual skill and wisdom, but that God will help you if you ask him. In this verse James encourages us with God’s nature and promise.

    Ifanyofyou. This if does not imply doubt; it is only a supposition. But why does the apostle use a supposition? Who does not lack wisdom? May we not ask, in the prophet’s question, “Who is wise? … Who is discerning?” (Hosea 14:9). In answer:

    (1)      Such expressions strongly support the argument under discussion. See Malachi 1:6, Romans 13:9, 2 Thessalonians 1:6, and James 5:15.

    (2)      Different people lack different things, so if any of you lacks includes everybody.

    Wisdom. This is to be restricted to the text and not taken in a general way. This wisdom is for bearing afflictions. In the original the beginning of this verse clearly links on to the end of the previous verse—lacking anything, and then immediately if any of you lacks.

    He should ask. That is, by serious and earnest prayer.

    God—to whom our addresses must be directed.

    Whogivesgenerouslytoall. Some think this implies the natural bounty of God, which indeed is an argument in prayer; God, who gives to all, will not deny his saints. The psalmist takes God’s common bounty to the creatures as a ground of hope and confidence for his people (see Psalm 145:16, 19). He who provides for every living creature will certainly provide for his own servants. But the context will not sustain this sense. All refers to all kinds of people—Jew, Greek, or barbarian; rich or poor. God gives to all people. Everyone who asks—all who seek him with earnestness and trust—will receive this wisdom.

    Generously. In the original the word means “simply,” but it is usually translated “bountifully.” See Acts 2:46 and 2 Corinthians 8:2 and 9:11. This word “simplicity” is so often used for “bounty” to show (1) that it must come from the free desire of our hearts, for those who give sparingly give with a hand half closed; (2) that we must not give deceitfully, as serving our own ends. So God gives simply—that is, as David puts it, according to his will (2 Samuel 7:21).

    Withoutfindingfault. Here James reproves another common blemish on man’s bounty, which is finding fault with what others have done for them. Courtesy requires that the receiver should remember and the giver forget. God does not find fault. But you will say, what is the meaning then of Matthew 11:20—“Then Jesus began to denounce the cities, in which most of his miracles had been performed”? Because of this objection, some expound this clause one way, some another. Some suppose it implies he does not give in a proud way, as men do, denouncing those who receive with their words or looks. God does not disdainfully reject anyone who asks, or confront him with his unworthiness, or reject him because of his present failings or former weaknesses. Rather, I think it shows God’s indefatigability in doing good; ask as often as you wish, God will not tell you off for the frequency of your requests. God denounces us only to make us see our ingratitude.

    Anditwillbegiventohim. In addition to the nature of God, here James emphasizes a promise: “Let him ask God, and it will be given to him.” Descriptions of God help us think correctly about him. Promises help us hold on to him in trust.

    Notes on Verse 5

    Note1. Everyone is needy: Ifanyofyou. This supposition is universal. God’s wisdom allows creatures to lack, because dependence brings awareness. If we were not forced to live in continued dependence on God, we would not bother with him. We see this—the less people are aware of their condition, the less religious they are. Promises usually appeal to those who are in need, because they are most likely to take note of them: see Isaiah 55:1, Matthew 11:28, and Matthew 5:3 and 6. Those who are humbled by their own needs are most open to God’s offers. Only God is self-sufficient; creatures have needs, so that their eyes are fixed on God. Certainly they lack most who lack nothing.

    Note 2. Lacks. We pray about our own needs. The father would not have heard from the prodigal if he had not been “in need” (Luke 15:14). Note that the creature goes to God initially out of self-love. But remember, it is better to begin in the flesh and end in the spirit than to begin in the spirit and end in the flesh. The first motive is need.

    Note3. Wisdom. In this context, note the need for great wisdom to cope with afflictions. Cheerful patience is a holy skill that we learn from God: see Philippians 4:10. Such a difficult lesson needs much learning. Wisdom is needed in several respects: (1) to discern what God’s purpose is in this; (2) to know the nature of the affliction, whether it is to build up or destroy; (3) to know what to do in every situation; (4) to check the desires of our own passions. So:

    (1)      Become wise if you want to become patient. People of understanding have the greatest control over their affections: see Proverbs 14:29.

    (2)      Become wise to confute the world’s censure; they count patience as simplicity and meekness as folly.

    (3)      Become wise by patience and calmness of spirit. A person who has no command of his passions has no understanding.

    Note4. AskGod. In all our needs we must immediately turn to God. The Scriptures do not direct us to the shrines of saints but to the throne of grace. You need not use the saints’ intercession; Christ has opened a way for you into the presence of the Father.

    Note5. More particularly, note that wisdom must be found in God. He is wise, the fountain of wisdom, an inexhaustible fountain. Men have the faculty, but God gives the light, just as the dial is capable of showing the time of the day when the sun shines on it. It is spiritual idolatry to lean on your own understanding (see Proverbs 3:5). The best way to proceed is not to go to nature but to Christ, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3).

    Note6. Heshouldask. God gives nothing without our asking. This is one of the laws by which heaven’s bounty is dispensed (see Ezekiel 36:37). Every audience with God increases love, thanks, and trust: see Psalm 116:1-2. Who does not want to be one of those whom God calls his worshipers (see Zephaniah 3:10)?

    Note7. Asking remedies our greatest needs. People sit down groaning under their discouragements because they do not look further than themselves. God humbles us with great weakness, that he may turn us to prayer. That is as easy for the Spirit as it is hard for nature. If God commands anything beyond our nature, it is to bring you to your knees for grace.

    Note8. Whogives. God’s dispensations to his creatures are gifts. Usually God gives most to those who, in the eyes of the world, least deserve it and are last able to requite him. Does he not freely invite the worst? See Isaiah 55:1.

    Note9. Toall. God’s grace is universal. It is a great encouragement that none are excluded from the offer. Why should we, then, exclude ourselves? “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened” (Matthew 11:28 , italics added). Note, poor soul: Jesus Christ makes no exceptions.

    Note10. Generously. God’s gifts are free. Often God gives more than we ask, and our prayers come far short of what his grace gives: see Ephesians 3:20. Examples of this are Solomon (1 Kings 3:13), Jacob (Genesis 28:20 with Genesis 32:10), Abraham (Genesis 15 with Genesis 22), and the prodigal (Luke 15:11-32). Certainly God’s bounty is too large for our thoughts. So:

    (1)      Do not restrict God in your thinking: “Open wide your mouth and I will fill it” (Psalm 81:10). God’s hand is open, but our hearts are not open. Note the expression of the virgin in Luke 1:46, “My soul praises the Lord”—that is, I make more room for God in my thoughts.

    (2)      Let us imitate our Heavenly Father and give generously. Some people give grudgingly, with a divided mind; this is not like God. Give like your Heavenly Father.

    Note11. Withoutfindingfault. I am certain that nothing harms us as much as believing that God is “altogether like” us (Psalm 50:21). Therefore God says, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.… As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9). See also Hosea 11:9. So when God gives, he will give according to his nature.

    Note12. Withoutfindingfault. God never tires of doing his people good. It was Solomon’s advice in Proverbs 25:17 to “Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house—too much of you, and he will hate you.” But how different it is with our heavenly friend! The more frequently we come to God, the more welcome we are.

    Well, then: (1) Whenever you receive mercy upon mercy, give the Lord the praise for his tireless love. (2) Since God is not tired of blessing you, do not become tired of serving him. See Galatians 6:9.

    Note13. Anditwillbegiventohim. God always answers prayer, though he does not always answer human desires: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7). If we do not receive through asking, let us go on to seeking; if we do not receive through seeking, let us go on to knocking. Prayers, when they come from a holy heart, in a holy manner, for a holy purpose, will be successful.

    These are the limitations on prayer: (1) Concerning the person: God looks after not only the purpose of the prayer but the interest of the person. Prayer must come from a righteous person (see 5:16). (2) What we ask for must be good: see 1 John 5:14. It must be according to God’s revealed will, not our own fancies. To ask according to our desires is blasphemous. But we must remember that God must judge what is good, not we ourselves. (3) We must ask in a right way, with faith. See Psalm 40:1. (4) You must pray with reference to the Lord’s glory. There is a difference between an ungodly desire and a gracious supplication: see 4:3. Never let your requests terminate in self. “Give us water to drink” was a brutish request (Exodus 17:2).

    Note14. Itwillbegiven. James draws encouragement not only from God’s nature but from God’s promise. From God’s promise we may reason thus: “You are good, and you will do good.” This is God in covenant, God as ours.

    Let the world think what it will about prayer. You have promises about prayer. Therefore when you pray for a promised blessing, God will answer you. “Ask and it will be given.”