James Chapter 1 verse 5 Holy Bible

James 1 : 5 Bible Verse Songs

• Every Breath Is Praise by People & Songs
• I Lay it All by Sovereign Grace Music
• Tell Him by Red Worship

Pulpit Commentary

Pulpit CommentaryVerses 5-11. - Digression suggested by the thought of perfection. There can be no true perfection without wisdom, which is the gift of God, and must be sought from him. It is possible that the thought and connection of the passage is due to a reminiscence of Wisd. 9:6, "For though a man be never so perfect (τέλειος) among the children of men, yet if thy wisdom be not with him, he shall be nothing regarded." But whether this be so or not, the teaching is manifestly founded on our Lord's words with regard to prayer, Matthew 7:7, "Ask, and it shall be given you;" and Mark 11:23, "Have faith in God. Verily I say unto you, Whoever shall say... and shall not doubt (διακριθῇ) in his heart," etc. Τοῦ διδόντος Θεοῦ. The order of the words shows that God's character is that of a Giver: "the giving God." His "nature and property" is to give as well as to forgive. Man often spoils his gifts, (1) by the grudging way in which they are given, and (2) by the reproaches which accompany them. God, on the contrary, gives to all . . .

Ellicott's Commentary

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(5) If any of you lack wisdom.--The Apostle passes on to the thought of heavenly wisdom; not the knowledge of the deep things of God, but that which is able to make us wise unto our latter end (Proverbs 19:20). Few may be able, save in self-conceit, to say with Isaiah (Isaiah 50:4), "The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned;" and, on the other hand, the wisest and most gifted of men may truly be wanting in the wisdom descending from above.Let him ask of God.--But whoever, learned or unlearned, feels in his heart the need of the knowledge of God, since to know Him "is eternal life" (John 17:3), "let him ask" for it in all purity of intention, simply, i.e., for His honour and service, "and it shall be given him."That giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not.--"Liberally" had better, perhaps, be changed to simply--i.e., God gives fully and directly, and reproacheth (or, "upbraideth") not the utterance of such a prayer, in no way detracting from the graciousness of His gifts. How wide the difference from any generosity of man I "Yea," wrote Dante, in exile at Verona,". . . thou shalt learn how salt his food, who faresUpon another's bread.--how steep his path,Who treadeth up and down another's stairs." . . .