Robertson Word Pictures - James 1:5 - 1:5

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Robertson Word Pictures - James 1:5 - 1:5


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

Lacketh wisdom (leipetai sophias). Condition of first class, assumed as true, ei and present passive indicative of leipō to be destitute of, with ablative case sophias. “If any one falls short of wisdom.” A banking figure, to have a shortage of wisdom (not just knowledge, gnōseōs, but wisdom sophias, the practical use of knowledge) .

Let him ask (aiteitō). Present active imperative of aiteō, “let him keep on asking.”

Of God (para tou theou). “From (from beside) God,” ablative case with para. Liberally (haplōs). This old adverb occurs here only in the N.T. (from haplous, single-fold, Mat 6:22, and haplotēs, simplicity, generosity, is common - 2Co 8:2; Rom 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 haplotēs in 2Co 8:2; Rom 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; Pro 2:3).

Upbraideth not (mē oneidizontos). Present active participle of oneidizō (old verb to reproach, to cast in one’s teeth, Mat 5:11) in the ablative case like didontos agreeing with theou and with the usual negative of the participle (me). This is the negative statement of didontos haplōs (giving graciously). The evil habit of giving stinging words along with the money is illustrated in Sirach 41:22 and Plutarch (Deut adulat., p. 64A). ] Cf. Heb 4:16.

And it shall be given him (kai dothēsetai autōi). First future passive of didōmi, a blessed promise in accord with the words of Jesus (Mat 7:7, Mat 7:11; Luk 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.