James 1:5-8 NIV

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - James 1:5

Verse 5 5If any of you lack wisdom. As our reason, and all our feelings are averse to the thought that we can be happy in the midst of evils, he bids us to ask of the Lord to give us wisdom. For wisdom here, I confine to the subject of the passage, as though he had said, “If this doctrine is higher than what your minds can reach to, ask of the Lord to illuminate you by his Spirit; for as this consolation alone is sufficient to mitigate all the bitterness of evils, that what is grievous to the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - James 1:6

Verse 6 6But let him ask in faith. He shews here, first the right way of praying; for as we cannot pray without the word, as it were, leading the way, so we must believe before we pray; for we testify by prayer, that we hope to obtain from God the grace which he has promised. Thus every one who has no faith in the promises, prays dissemblingly. Hence, also, we learn what is true faith; for James, after having bidden us to ask in faith, adds this explanation, nothing wavering, or, doubting... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - James 1:8

Verse 8 8A double-minded man, or, a man of a double mind. This sentence may be read by itself, as he speaks generally of hypocrites. It seems, however, to me to be rather the conclusion of the preceding doctrine; and thus there is an implied contrast between the simplicity or liberality of God, mentioned before, and the double-mindedness of man; for as God gives to us with a stretched out hand, so it behooves us in our turn to open the bosom of our heart. He then says that the unbelieving, who... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:2-18

THE SUBJECT OF TEMPTATION . This section may be subdivided as follows:— read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:5-8

The need of wisdom which Holy Scripture never, without a touch of irony, ascribes to any but God and good men, and which, therefore, is not merely intellectual wisdom, but rather that practical knowledge of things Divine which can enable a man to say with the psalmist, "I am wiser than the aged, because I keep thy commandments." This it is, and not intellect and brilliancy, which is here promised to be given to all that ask in faith. (All through Scripture the use of the terms "wise" and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:5-8

Wisdom for those who ask it. The apostle has just been saying that the trials and burdens of life should conduce, if wisely borne, to the purifying of the believing soul, the bracing of its moral energies, and the perfecting of its spiritual life. But how hard it is to bear severe afflictions thus wisely! Every one needs a wisdom above his own, who would "count manifold trials all joy," and "let patience have its perfect work." I. A UNIVERSAL WASTE . ( James 1:5 ) Wisdom means... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:5-8

The prayer of faith. In the former verses the writer, after the apparent paradox of wishing "joy" ( James 1:1 ) to those so persecuted and tried, proceeded ( James 1:2-4 ) to urge, not merely joy in spite, but joy by reason, of these things. For, said he, by these things the faith, which is of so great price, is developed and perfected. It might seem, however, that, with God so purposing, and man thankfully concurring in the Divine purpose, yet, from lack of true discernment, of wise... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:5-11

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 Wis. 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... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:6

The A.V. "nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea," is unfortunate, as suggesting a play upon the words which has no existence in the original. Render, with R.V., nothing doubting : for he that doubteth is like the surge of the sea. κλύδων , the surge; ἀνεμιζόμενος and ῥιπιζόμενος both occur here only. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:7-8

The A.V., which makes James 1:8 an independent sentence, is certainly wrong. Render, Let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord, double-minded man that he is, unstable in all his ways. So Vulgate, Vir duplex animi, inconstans in omnibus viis . (The Clementine Vulgate, by reading est after inconstans , agrees with A.V) Another possible rendering is that of the R.V. margin, "Let not that man think that a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways, shall receive,"... read more

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - James 1:5

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - James 1:6

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - James 1:8

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:2-18

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:5-8

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:5-8

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:5-8

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:5-11

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:6

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:7-8

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