Jam 1:5-8 | RWP | e4.org | Lacketh wisdom ( λειπετα σοφιας ). Condition of first class, assumed as true, ε and present passive indicative of λειπω to be destitute of, with ablative case σοφιας . "If any one falls short of wisdom." A banking figure, to have a shortage of wisdom (not just knowledge, γνωσεως , but wisdom σοφιας , the practical use of knowledge) . Let him ask ( αιτειτω ). Present active imperative of αιτεω , "let him keep on asking." Of God ( παρα του θεου ). "From (from beside) God," ablative case with παρα . Liberally ( απλως ). This old adverb occurs here only in the N.T. (from απλους , single-fold, , and απλοτης , simplicity, generosity, is common-- ; ). But the adverb is common in the papyri by way of emphasis as simply or at all (Moulton and Milligan's Vocabulary ). Mayor argues for the sense of "unconditionally" (the logical moral sense) while Hort and Ropes agree and suggest "graciously." The other sense of "abundantly" or "liberally" suits the idea in απλοτης in ; , but no example of the adverb in this sense has been found unless this is one here. See for the idea of God's gracious giving and the case of Solomon ( ; ). Upbraideth not ( μη ονειδιζοντος ). Present active participle of ονειδιζω (old verb to reproach, to cast in one's teeth, ) in the ablative case like διδοντος agreeing with θεου and with the usual negative of the participle ( με ). This is the negative statement of διδοντος απλως (giving graciously). The evil habit of giving stinging words along with the money is illustrated in Sirach 41:22 and Plutarch ( De adulat. , p. 64A). ] Cf. . And it shall be given him ( κα δοθησετα αυτω ). First future passive of διδωμ , a blessed promise in accord with the words of Jesus ( , ; ), meaning here not only "wisdom," but all good gifts, including the Holy Spirit. There are frequent reminiscences of the words of Jesus in this Epistle.

‏ James 1:5-8

Lacketh wisdom ( λειπετα σοφιας ). Condition of first class, assumed as true, ε and present passive indicative of λειπω to be destitute of, with ablative case σοφιας. "If any one falls short of wisdom." A banking figure, to have a shortage of wisdom (not just knowledge, γνωσεως, but wisdom σοφιας, the practical use of knowledge) .

Let him ask ( αιτειτω ). Present active imperative of αιτεω, "let him keep on asking."

Of God ( παρα του θεου ). "From (from beside) God," ablative case with παρα. Liberally ( απλως ). This old adverb occurs here only in the N.T. (from απλους, single-fold, Mt 6:22, and απλοτης, simplicity, generosity, is common-- 2Co 8:2; Ro 12:8). But the adverb is common in the papyri by way of emphasis as simply or at all (Moulton and Milligan's Vocabulary). Mayor argues for the sense of "unconditionally" (the logical moral sense) while Hort and Ropes agree and suggest "graciously." The other sense of "abundantly" or "liberally" suits the idea in απλοτης in 2Co 8:2; Ro 12:8, but no example of the adverb in this sense has been found unless this is one here. See Isa 55:1 for the idea of God's gracious giving and the case of Solomon (1Ki 3:9-12; Pr 2:3).

Upbraideth not ( μη ονειδιζοντος ). Present active participle of ονειδιζω (old verb to reproach, to cast in one's teeth, Mt 5:11) in the ablative case like διδοντος agreeing with θεου and with the usual negative of the participle ( με ). This is the negative statement of διδοντος απλως (giving graciously). The evil habit of giving stinging words along with the money is illustrated in Sirach 41:22 and Plutarch (De adulat., p. 64A). ] Cf. Heb 4:16.

And it shall be given him ( κα δοθησετα αυτω ). First future passive of διδωμ, a blessed promise in accord with the words of Jesus (Mt 7:7, 11; Lu 11:13), meaning here not only "wisdom," but all good gifts, including the Holy Spirit. There are frequent reminiscences of the words of Jesus in this Epistle.

In faith ( εν πιστε ). Faith here "is the fundamental religious attitude" (Ropes), belief in God's beneficent activity and personal reliance on him (Oesterley).

Nothing doubting ( μηδεν διακρινομενος ). Negative way of saying εν πιστε (in faith), present passive participle of διακρινω, old verb to separate ( κρινω ) between ( δια ), to discriminate as shown clearly in Ac 11:12, 15:9, but no example of the sense of divided against oneself has been found earlier than the N.T., though it appears in later Christian writings. It is like the use of διαμεριζομα in Lu 11:18 and occurs in Mt 21:21; Mr 11:23; Ac 10:20; Ro 2:4; 4:20; 14:23. It is a vivid picture of internal doubt.

Is like ( εοικεν ). Second perfect active indicative with the linear force alone from εικω to be like. Old form, but in N.T. only here and verse 23 (a literary touch, not in LXX).

The surge of the sea ( κλυδων θαλασσης ). Old word (from κλυζω to wash against) for a dashing or surging wave in contrast with κυμα (successive waves), in N.T. only here and Lu 8:24. In associative instrumental case after εοικεν. In Eph 4:14 we have κλυδονιζω (from κλυδων ), to toss by waves.

Driven by the wind ( ανεμιζομενω ). Present passive participle (agreeing in case with κλυδων ) of ανεμιζω, earliest known example and probably coined by James (from ανεμος ), who is fond of verbs in -ιζω (Mayor). The old Greek used ανεμοω. In Eph 4:14 Paul uses both κλυδονιζω and περιφερω ανεμω. It is a vivid picture of the sea whipped into white-caps by the winds.

Tossed ( ριπιζομενω ). Present passive participle also in agreement with κλυδων from ριπιζω, rare verb (Aristophanes, Plutarch, Philo) from ριπις (a bellows or fire-fan), here only in N.T. It is a picture of "the restless swaying to and fro of the surface of the water, blown upon by shifting breezes" (Hort), the waverer with slight rufflement.

That man ( ο ανθρωπος εκεινος ). Emphatic use of εκεινος.

Of the Lord ( παρα του κυριου ). Ablative case with παρα like θεου in verse 5.

Man ( ανηρ ). Instead of ανθρωπος (general term) in verse 7, perhaps for variety (Ropes), but often in James (1:12, 23; 2:2; 3:2), though in other Epistles usually in distinction from γυνη (woman).

Double-minded ( διψυχος ). First appearance of this compound known and in N.T. only here and 4:8. Apparently coined by James, but copied often in early Christian writings and so an argument for the early date of James' Epistle (Moulton and Milligan's Vocabulary). From δις twice and ψυχη soul, double-souled, double-minded, Bunyan's "Mr. Facing-both-ways." Cf. the rebuke to Peter ( εδιστασας ) in Mt 14:31.

Unstable ( ακαταστατος ). Late double compound (alpha privative and καταστατος verbal from καθιστημ ), in LXX once (Is 54:11) and in Polybius, in N.T. only here and 3:8. It means unsteady, fickle, staggering, reeling like a drunken man. Surely to James such "doubt" is no mark of intellectuality.