OceanSide church of Christ
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JAMES 1:5
Victor M. Eskew
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
1. Lack
A. Strong (3007): a primary verb, to leave, that is, …to fail or be absent
B. Thayer: to be destitute, to lack, to be wanting, to fail
C. Vine: to lack
2. Wisdom
A. Strong (4678): wisdom
B. Thayer: wisdom, broad and full of intelligence…the knowledge and practice of the requisites for godly and upright living
C. Vine: spiritual wisdom
3. Ask
A. Strong (154): to ask
B. Thayer: to ask, beg, call for, crave, desire, require
C. Vine: to ask,…suggests the attitude of a suppliant, the petition of one who is lesser in position than he to whom the petition is made, e.g. in the case of men in asking something of God.
4. Giveth
A. Strong (1325): to give
B. Thayer: to give something to someone, to grant, give to one asking, let have
C. Vine: to give
5. Liberally
A. Strong (574): bountifully
B. Thayer: simply, openly, frankly, sincerely
C. Vine: Liberally, with singleness of heart…the word may be taken either (a) in a logical sense, signifying unconditionally, simply, or (b) in a moral sense, generously
6. Upbraideth not
A. Strong (3679): to defame, that is, rail at, chide, taunt
B. Thayer: to reproach, of deserved reproach, revile, to upbraid, cast in one’s teeth
C. Vine: to reproach, upbraid
D. NOTE: God does not do this to those who come to Him asking for wisdom.