What does James 1:5 mean?
Right after telling readers to count trials as joy, James offers practical help for when we do not know what to do. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God." Wisdom here means the practical skill of living well and making good decisions, especially in hard times. James describes God's character to encourage us: he "giveth to all men liberally," generously and without hesitation, and "upbraideth not," meaning he does not scold or shame us for asking. The promise is simple: "it shall be given him." The next verse adds that we should ask in faith, trusting that God really wants to help.
James 1:5 in the World English Bible
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
Context
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
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Frequently asked questions
What does James 1:5 mean?
Right after telling readers to count trials as joy, James offers practical help for when we do not know what to do. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God." Wisdom here means the practical skill of living well and making good decisions, especially in hard times. James describes God's character to encourage us: he "giveth to all men liberally," generously and without hesitation, and "upbraideth not," meaning he does not scold or shame us for asking. The promise is simple: "it shall be given him." The next verse adds that we should ask in faith, trusting that God really wants to help.
What does James 1:5 say in the KJV?
James 1:5 (KJV) reads: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”