Starting at verse 5 we enter a subsection on the wisdom that is obtainable only through prayer in faith. A structural link with the previous verse is made by using a pair of catchwords, “lacking” in verse 4 and “lacks” in verse 5.
In Greek there is a particle that functions either as a connective “And” or as an adversative “But,” depending on context. Good News Translation chooses to render it as an adversative “But,” thus connecting this verse with what is said in the previous verse (so also the French common language version [Bible en français courant]). Most other translations, however, take it simply as a transition marker and therefore leave it untranslated; this appears to be the more likely interpretation.
For translating this verse the relative clause who gives to all men … presents some problems. The question is where to place this explanatory relative clause. It may be treated as a parenthetical statement; for example, “and if, in the process, any of you does not know how to meet any particular problem he has only to ask God—who gives generously to all men without making them feel guilty—and he may be quite sure that the necessary wisdom will be given him” (Phillips). This is essentially what is done by translations that follow more or less the structure of the Greek original, such as King James Version, Revised Standard Version, New Revised Standard Version. It is also possible to make the relative clause a separate statement, as a sort of an introduction to the other three clauses in the sentence: for example, “It is characteristic of God to give generously and ungrudgingly to all. So then, if anyone is lacking in wisdom…” (Barclay). A third possibility, the one that appears to be the most acceptable, is to link the relative clause to the other three with an explanatory particle “for” or “because,” as Good News Translation has done: “But if any of you lack wisdom, you should pray to God, who will give it to you; because God gives generously and graciously to all.”
The word wisdom is one of the important terms in this letter. It occurs again in 3.13, 15, and 17. The Greek concept of wisdom centers around “knowledge,” “cleverness,” and “learnedness.” In biblical usage, however, especially in the Old Testament, it is basically a practical, moral, and spiritual insight given by God (1 Kgs 3.7-9; Pro 2.3-6, 10-19; 9.1-6). It is the ability to discern right from wrong and good from evil. It is the power that enables a person to do and say the right thing at the right time. The practical nature of wisdom in the present context is brought out vividly by Phillips when he renders the conditional clause as “and if, in the process, any of you does not know how to meet any particular problem…” (similarly the German common language version [Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch]). We may also say “But if any of you do not know how to deal with these problems [or, difficulties]” or “But if any of you do not have the insight to solve these problems.”
According to James wisdom is a gift from God, something God gives, and therefore a person must ask for it and it will be given to him. This saying is reminiscent of Jesus’ teaching in Matt 7.11. “God’s readiness to give is a motive to prayer” Ropes). The imperative let him ask is best rendered as “he should ask” (New American Bible, New English Bible, Revised English Bible), or “you should pray” (Good News Translation), or generally “ask God” (New Revised Standard Version), or “you should ask God” (Contemporary English Version). Notice that God gives to all men. It is best to render all men inclusively; for example, “all” (Good News Translation, New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, New Revised Standard Version), or even “all people.” Here James is speaking of the gift of wisdom given in response to prayer, and so all refers most likely to “all who ask from God,” rather than the all-inclusive “everyone” (Translator’s New Testament).
The adverb rendered generously is found only here in the New Testament. It means literally “simply” or “single-heartedly,” that is, “without hesitation,” “without condition,” or “without reservation.” This is obviously the meaning taken by Moffatt when he renders it as “without question” (similarly Traduction œcuménique de la Bible). However, considering the fact that this adverb is used in connection with “giving,” most modern translations favor the rendering generously (similarly Goodspeed, Phillips, New American Bible, Revised English Bible). The focus here appears to be on the extent of giving, but it may be noted that generosity in some languages also refers to the manner of giving. In certain languages it will be rendered in an idiomatic way; for example, “give with a wide heart.”
Without reproaching can be taken in the sense of “without making them feel guilty” (Phillips) or “without scolding” (New Jerusalem Bible); or it can be understood in the sense of “ungrudgingly” (Knox, New American Bible, Translator’s New Testament, Barclay, New Revised Standard Version). The former goes better with “without condition” or “without question,” while the latter pairs better with “generously.” The Good News Translation rendering “graciously,” expressed positively, is more general than other translations. “Graciously” may also be rendered as “in a kind way,” or “in a way that shows his love and care.”
An alternative translation model for this verse may be:
• If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God and he will give it to you. God is generous and will give wisdom to all who ask him, in a way that shows his love and care.
Quoted with permission from Loh, I-Jin and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on The Letter from James. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .