James 1:5-8

How does v.5-8 fit between the preceding and following verses, both of which are related to trials?

A. James means to say, “One of the things you might lack (v.4) is wisdom, and if you do then you should ask God.” In which case by “wisdom” he means, “a general application of knowledge to life.” He would then be classifying it as one among many qualities which one needs in order to be “perfect and complete” (v.4).

B. James means to say, “What I have just said about rejoicing in trials is hard to understand. If God hasn’t given you wisdom from above then you aren’t going to be able to think this way about trials (see 3:13-18). If this wisdom isn’t yours then you need to ask Him continually.” In which case by “wisdom” he means, “an understanding that earthly troubles are a joy because through them God works perseverance, and without that perseverance none will ever walk into glory.”

Two reasons why A is not the correct meaning.

1. If A is true then this section doesn’t fit as well into the surrounding context. James says that through steadfastness a person will be perfect and complete. How can he then go on to say that the acquisition of that which we lack depends on a prayer devoid of any doubt? A does not provide a natural flow of thought into verse 9 either..

2. Although we all doubt in various ways, James demands absolutely no doubting. Firstly, James characterizes anyone who doubts as “waves of the sea.” Elsewhere in the scriptures this illustration is used for the unregenerate (Isaiah 57:20), those unstable in their faith (Ephesians 4:14), or false teachers (Jude 13). The context of James makes it closer to Ephesians 4:14, “children [who are] tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine.” James says that anyone who doubts does not have a stable faith. For some reason the context in which James speaks of doubting is more serious than normal. Also that person can expect that the Lord will give him no benefit in regards to what he asks. God is gracious even when His people doubt, but James speaks of a doubting in which God resists us. Thirdly, they are double minded. Later as James is addressing adultery with the world he says (4:8), “Purify your hearts, you double-minded.” The double minded have impure hearts that desire the world. The double-minded have not firmly established their allegiance with the world or with Christ. Those who doubt are unstable in their faith, hold onto a commitment to the world, and are resisted by God. This is a doubting that is not common in the life of every believer. Therefore, James must not be speaking in general of wisdom. There is no believer alive yet free from doubts. It is incomprehensible that James means to characterize every one of them as unstable and double-minded.

Two reasons why B is the correct meaning.

1. If wisdom is specifically in regard to joy in trials then it follows naturally from verse 4. Verse 9-12 then explains the content of such wisdom. B requires no break in James’s line of thought.

2. If the wisdom is specifically in regard to understanding how we can have joy in trials then doubting has a much more serious meaning. If B is true then “doubting” does not refer to the doubts that we all face so frequently. “Doubting” would then refer to doubts about whether or not the reader wants to understand and thus to submit to the command of verse 2 and 3. When one considers the three harsh statements James makes about those who doubt it is clear that this understanding fits very well. Why would someone not desire to understand? One reason might be that they are double-minded. They are trying to make friendship with the world and friendship with God compatible. Their worldly desires, which slip from their grasps as trials occur, make them unsure of whether they want to joyfully face trials or not. They are not sure if perseverance is worth their earthly passions. As they refuse to settle their hearts on one lover they have no anchor within the storms of life. Therefore they are like waves. It is difficult to tell if they will persevere or if they will make shipwreck of their faith. If pleasure too enticing, trials too hard, or false teaching too ear-tickling comes along they might easily slip into destruction. Because of their fickle affections they have not allowed the kind of testing that would prove their faith to be solid. They will not humble themselves to God and thus abandon their affections for the world. In regard to these things James writes, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).” And so he can say that they will receive nothing from the Lord.

Review
If any of you lacks wisdom [in regard to joy in trials], let him [continually] ask God [since there is nothing more important then being grounded obediently in Christ], who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith [that he wants to be grounded obediently in Christ], with no doubting [as to whether or not he wants joy in trials or wants the comforts of this world], for the one who doubts [being unsure about where he wants to place his affections] is like a wave of the sea [not holding steadily to the world or Christ] that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord [as long as he refuses to be humble]; he is a double-minded man [trying to love two lovers], unstable in all his ways.