If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you.
James the Just
Ask God
Theme: Understanding
If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.
James the Just, traditionally identified as the oldest brother of Jesus Christ, emerged as a pivotal figure in the early Christian community of Jerusalem. Historical records suggest he was born in the early first century and played a significant role as a leader and moral compass for the nascent church. The New Testament's Epistle of James is attributed to him, framing him as a servant devoted to both God and the Lord Jesus Christ. This epistle, written in Koine Greek, was aimed primarily at the "twelve tribes scattered abroad," referring to Jewish Christians dispersed outside Israel.
In his epistle, James the Just is characterized by his deep commitment to ethical living and spiritual wisdom. He emphasizes the importance of patient perseverance through trials and temptations, advocating for a life lived in alignment with Christ's teachings. His writings challenge believers to eschew sins such as pride, hypocrisy, favoritism, and slander, and instead, embrace humility, godly wisdom, and persistent prayer. James's philosophy underscores that wisdom is a divine gift, attainable by those who ask God generously and without doubt, embodying the virtues of purity, peace, consideration, and sincerity.
James's influence extended well beyond his lifespan, with his teachings continuing to resonate through the centuries. The resurgence of scholarly interest in his works and the historical context of his life has reinforced the traditional view of his authorship of the epistle. This renewed focus highlights the Jewish roots of the early Jesus movement and underscores James's significant role in shaping Christian thought. His legacy is captured in his calls for a steadfast faith and a life led by divine wisdom, reflecting a deep and abiding trust in the spiritual journey.
The letter of James
Wilson, Andrew, editor. World Scripture - a Comparative Anthology of Sacred Texts. Paragon House, 1991, p. 565 [Letter of James 1.5-6, NRSV. (Modified Bible Version - AD*)].
James the Just
Theme: Understanding
About this Quote from James [Commentary]
In the epistle attributed to James the Just, the quotation, “If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you,” presents a clear promise. James suggests that wisdom is not earned through human effort but is a divine gift available to anyone who seeks it earnestly. This perspective encourages believers to request wisdom openly, emphasizing that it is dispensed by God without reservation or reluctance, essential for navigating life’s moral complexities.
However, the passage adds a vital condition: “But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.” This metaphor vividly describes the instability doubt can cause. For James, faith is not passive but an active, full commitment to trusting God’s guidance. The image of a wave tossed by the wind illustrates the chaos and indecision brought by doubt, stressing that a firm, consistent faith is crucial when seeking divine wisdom.
James’s advice to seek wisdom with unwavering faith counters the modern inclination to view skepticism as a sign of intelligence. Instead, he advocates for a deep, trusting relationship with the divine as the foundation for true understanding. This perspective views understanding not merely as an intellectual achievement but as a spiritual journey, navigated with faith and enlightened by divine wisdom, promoting a holistic approach to gaining wisdom that integrates both intellectual and spiritual dimensions.
James the Just
The Epistle of James is one of the 21 didactic letters in the New Testament, originally written in Koine Greek. It is a general epistle, attributed traditionally to James the Just, who is considered the oldest brother of Jesus and an early leader of the Christian community in Jerusalem. James 1:1 identifies the author as “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,” addressing “the twelve tribes scattered abroad.” This audience is generally recognized as Jewish Christians dispersed outside Israel.
In this epistle, James frames his message around the theme of patient perseverance through trials and temptations, urging his readers to live in accordance with the teachings of Christ. He addresses various sins including pride, hypocrisy, favoritism, and slander, advocating for a life characterized by humility, godly wisdom, and prayer across all situations. James’s writing emphasizes that true wisdom is divine, quoting in James 3:17, “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”
Scholarly interest in the epistle has surged recently, focusing on the historical figure of James, his role within the early Jesus movement, and the Jewish foundations of both the movement and the epistle itself. This resurgence in interest has reinforced the traditional attribution of the epistle to James the brother of Jesus, which is now widely accepted and linked to various scholarly positions on the dating of the text.
Letter of James 1.5-8, NRSV and Gender-balance*
“If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord.”
* The version originally cited was from the Revised Standard Version [RSV]: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” AD opted to use the New Revised Standard Version [NRSV] because it is gender-balanced.
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