Paragraph 1:5–8
In this paragraph, James encouraged his readers to ask God to make them wise. They needed wisdom from God to know what to do while experiencing trials that test their faith. God will answer this prayer if they fully trust God when they pray. But if they do not fully trust him or if they have divided loyalty, God will not answer their prayers.
1:5a
Now if any of you lacks wisdom: This clause is in the form of an “if” statement, but James was not wondering if anyone lacked wisdom. He knew that all his readers needed wisdom in order to be successful in enduring trials (1:2).
If a literal translation of if would make your readers think that James did not know if anyone needed wisdom, you could say:
Those of you who need wisdom
-or-
He who does not have wisdom
lacks: The word lacks here indicates that a person does not have wisdom or does not have enough wisdom. He also realizes that he does not have it.
Some other ways to translate this word are:
do not have
-or-
need (Contemporary English Version)
wisdom: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as wisdom refers to understanding what is right and good, and doing it. A person who has wisdom is one who chooses to behave the way God wants. He acts wisely. When he is tempted to behave in the wrong way, he resists.
In some languages, it may be necessary to translate this word as an adjective. For example:
If any of you is not wise enough
-or-
If any of you needs to become a wiser person
-or-
If any of you needs understanding to do what is right and good
1:5b
he should ask God: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as he should ask is a command addressed to the person who needs wisdom. In order to obtain wisdom, a person must ask for it.
Some other ways to translate this verb are:
let him ask God (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
must ask God (New Jerusalem Bible)
he: The pronoun he refers to any person who lacks wisdom. This is the person whom James referred to in 1:5a. Depending on how you have translated 1:5a, it may be necessary to use the pronoun “you” “we(incl)” or “they” rather than “he.” For example:
you should ask God (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
they should ask God
-or-
we
(incl) should request God
1:5c
There are several ways to connect 1:5c to the rest of 1:5. See the General Comment on 1:5a–d at the end of 1:5d for some examples.
who gives generously to all without finding fault: This clause (The New International Version (2011 Revision) and other English versions translate this Greek participial phrase as a descriptive (or non-restrictive) relative clause.) describes the character of God. He generously gives good gifts to people, and he does not criticize them for asking. James said this to encourage people to ask for wisdom.
In some languages, it will be natural to begin a new sentence here. For example:
For God gives generously to all without finding fault.
It may be natural to begin a new sentence here because:
(a) 1:5a–d is a long sentence in both the Greek and the Berean Standard Bible, and it may be natural in your language to divide it into several shorter sentences.
(b) a clause beginning with the word “who” might imply that one God gives generously and another God does not give generously.
gives generously: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as generously means that God gives “without hesitation,” “freely,” and “unconditionally.”
Some other ways to translate this word are:
gives without reserve
-or-
gives bountifully
If your language needs to say what God gives, you can say:
generously gives good things
-or-
abundantly gives what we need
to all: The word all here refers to all people.
without finding fault: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as without finding fault means “does not criticize, reproach, or blame.” God does not criticize those who ask him for wisdom, because he is pleased that they have come to him for help.
Some other ways to translate this phrase are:
without scolding (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
He will not resent your asking. (New Living Translation, 1996 edition)
-or-
won’t correct you for asking (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
He will not reprimand/criticize you when you ask
1:5d
it will be given to him: The word it refers to wisdom. The verb will be given is passive. God is the one who gives wisdom. So there are at least two ways to translate this phrase:
• Use a passive verb. For example:
wisdom will be given/granted him
• Use an active verb. For example:
he will give you wisdom (New Century Version)
-or-
God will cause him to become wise.
In some languages, “wisdom” is not something that “is given.” Some other ways to translate the word given are:
God will teach him to be wise
-or-
God will help him to be wise
General Comment on 1:5a–d
One of the challenges in translating 1:5 is to decide how to connect the “who” clause in 1:5c to the rest of the verse. Some possibilities are:
• Follow the Greek order, but begin a new sentence. For example:
5aNow if any of you lacks wisdom, 5bhe should ask God for it. 5cGod gives generously to all without finding fault. 5dSo if he asks for wisdom it will be given to him.
• Put 1:5c first. For example:
5cGod gives generously to all without finding fault. 5aSo, if you lack wisdom, 5byou should ask God for some, 5dand he will give it to you.
• Put 1:5c last. For example:
5aIf any of you need wisdom, 5byou should ask God, 5dand it will be given to you. 5cGod is generous and won’t correct you for asking. (Contemporary English Version)
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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.