God the Source of Wisdom

Counting it all joy when we meet trials certainly ranks among the most difficult biblical commands to keep, and enduring these difficulties in a way that produces steadfast trust and hope rather than despair is not any easier. Nevertheless, James 1:2–4 calls us to do such things. The Apostle knows that we cannot obey his exhortation without wisdom from above, so in today’s passage he tells us how to receive such wisdom (v. 5).

What wisdom are we seeking? Dr. R.C. Sproul writes that “to be wise in biblical terms is to know and understand godliness, to do what is pleasing to God.” Biblically speaking, wisdom is not merely theoretical but also practical. It makes both understanding and proper action possible. Such wisdom orders all of life toward fellowship and communion with God, and it is rooted in the fear of the Lord (Prov. 1:7). The Apostle will give us a fuller picture of this wisdom in James 3:13–18.

Because wisdom directs us to God, it must ultimately come from God. Thus, if we want the wisdom to respond properly to our trials, we must ask God for it (James 1:5). The present tense of the Greek verb translated as “ask” indicates that James has in mind a continual asking of our Creator for wisdom in prayer. Here James echoes the teaching of Jesus found in texts such as Matthew 7:7–11.

Only God can give the wisdom to discern and follow His will in our trials. Thankfully, we can readily ask Him for it because the Lord “gives generously” (James 1:5). “Gives generously” accurately but incompletely reflects James’ point. The phrase may also be translated as “gives single-mindedly” or “gives without division.” James tells us that God gives wisdom without calculated or mixed motives. He is of an undivided mind when He gives, not secretly wanting to do otherwise. John Calvin comments, “God is so inclined and ready to give, that he rejects none, or haughtily puts them off, being not like the [stingy] and grasping, who either sparingly, as with a closed hand, give but little, or give only a part of what they were about to give, or long debate with themselves whether to give or not.”

God gives generously “to all without reproach” (James 1:5). That is, He will bestow wisdom on us when we ask, whether we deserve it or not. In so doing, God brings no reproach. He does not become angry with us for lacking wisdom. We never need fear that He will scold us for not having wisdom when we ask Him to grant it to us.