James 1:5

Wisdom In Trials

The connection between the following verses James 1:5-8 and the previous verses appears to be: 'James has just told his readers that, if they use all the testing experiences of life in the right way, they will emerge from them with that unswerving constancy which is the basis of all the virtues. But immediately the question arises, "How can. so use these testing experiences to use them in the right way?" James answer is, "If any man feels that he has not the wisdom to use aright the experiences of this life---and no man in himself possesses that wisdom-let him ask if from God.' (Barclay p. 52)

James 1:5 'But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.'

'lacks wisdom' -'wisdom is. practical thing. Wisdom is not philosophic speculation…Wisdom is wisdom for life.' (Barclay p. 53) In addition, "wisdom" is inherently connected with. right attitude towards God and His word (Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 9:10; Proverbs 15:33). 'The wisdom he speaks of here is not merely information, or simply education…The wisdom spoken of here is the ability to judge and evaluate sorrow and joy from God's standpoint, to view from God's perspective what comfort and pain mean, understanding wealth and poverty on. divine level.' (Draper p. 17) Wisdom is the ability to put into practice the principles and instructions given us in the revelation of God's word.' (Roberts p. 46) (Colossians 4:5)

'let him ask of God' -And yet many people, even some Christians insist on believing that there is. better "wisdom" outside of the will of God. But such is not the case,. higher wisdom than that which is found in the Bible does not exist (1 Corinthians 2:9). 'It is quite significant that James did not say, "But if any of you lacketh wisdom, let him study philosophy, or, let him meditate, or, let him consult the wise."' (Woods p. 40) "Let him ask"-"present active imperative, 'let him keep on asking' (Robertson p. 13)

'who gives to all men generously' -"Generously"-'openly, frankly, sincerely' (Thayer p. 57); 'Simply giving, and adding nothing afterwards which may take off from the graciousness of the gift.' (Alford p. 1592)

'without reproach' -'to heap insults upon…a special kind of reproach is the manifestation of displeasure or regret which too often accompanies the giving of. gift' (Arndt p. 570) (Matthew 7:7)

Points To Note:

1. 'There is. kind of giver who gives only with. view to getting more than he has given; who gives only to gratify his vanity and his sense of power by putting the recipient under an obligation which he will never be allowed to forget; who gives and who then continuously casts up the gift that he has given.' (Barclay p. 54) God gives generously and God gives without parading His liberality.

1. Draper notes, 'If we view the success of our families or friendships simply by whether or not everyone is content and cooperative, then the moment one person steps out of line or one misunderstanding arises, it destroys the whole relationship. We will find our lives fenced in, with every little circumstance transforming what could be. happy life into absolute misery. But if we have the wisdom James is talking about…..Every pressure becomes an opportunity….We need God's wisdom. An exasperated man will do unwise things.. person who is distraught will not make good choices.. man who is upset will make foolish decisions.' (p. 19) (1 Samuel 2:14)

'and it will be given to him.' -Wisdom will be given him or her, but the following verses let the reader know that this wisdom isn't given unconditionally. And such wisdom is not available for the person who is outside of Jesus Christ, not to mention the Christian who can't trust God or who always seems to find an excuse for why they aren't growing spiritually.