james-1:6

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:6

The A.V. "nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea," is unfortunate, as suggesting a play upon the words which has no existence in the original. Render, with R.V., nothing doubting : for he that doubteth is like the surge of the sea. κλύδων , the surge; ἀνεμιζόμενος and ῥιπιζόμενος both occur here only. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - James 1:6

But let him ask in faith - See the passages referred to in James 1:5. Compare the Matthew 7:7 note, and Hebrews 11:6 note. We cannot hope to obtain any favor from God if there is not faith; and where, as in regard to the wisdom necessary to guide us, we are sure that it is in accordance with his will to grant it to us, we may come to him with the utmost confidence, the most entire assurance, that it will be granted. In this case, we should come to God without a doubt that, if we ask with a... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - James 1:5-7

James 1:5-7. If any of you In whole or in part; lack wisdom To understand whence and why temptations come, and how they are to be improved, or for any other purpose. Wisdom, in the common acceptation of the word, denotes a sound practical judgment concerning things to be done or avoided: but here the expression seems to mean wisdom to know how to conduct ourselves under afflictions, or how to make a right use of them. Patience is in every pious man already; let him exercise this, and ask... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - James 1:1-18

1:1-18 LIFE’S TRIALS AND DIFFICULTIESJames’ readers are scattered over the area of the early church’s expansion (1:1), but no matter where they live, they share the same responsibilities as Christians everywhere. One of these responsibilities requires them to do something that by nature is very difficult, namely, face the trials of life with joy. This joy comes through the knowledge that trials help believers to develop endurance and so strengthen their Christian character (2-4).When faced with... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - James 1:6

nothing . Greek. medeis, as James 1:4 . wavering . App-122 . Compare Matthew 7:7 , Matthew 7:8 . is like . Greek. eoika . Only here and James 1:23 . The root (obs.) is eiko ; compare eikon , image. wave . See Luke 8:24 . driven . Greek. anemizomai. Only here. tossed . Greek. rhipizomai. Only here. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - James 1:6

But let him ask in faith, nothing doubting: for he that doubteth is like the surge of the sea driven by the wind and tossed.Again, James gives the teaching of Christ, who said, "Whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them" (Mark 11:24).Therefore, it is not merely faith in God which James had in view here, but faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He was writing to Christians who, like himself, were servants of God and of Jesus Christ; and he had already... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - James 1:6

James 1:6. But let him ask in faith, &c.— "But then let him take care that he ask in steadyfaith, nothing wavering, nor divided by the desires of obtaining, and the fears of not obtaining, the grace he asks, or doubting of God's readiness to bestow it; for he that wavers, and has not a firm confidence in the Divine goodness and faithfulness, can have no other solid and substantial support; but is like a billow of the sea, driven on and tossed by the sea, in a restless and unsettled... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - James 1:6

6. ask in faith—that is, the persuasion that God can and will give. James begins and ends with faith. In the middle of the Epistle he removes the hindrances to faith and shows its true character [BENGEL]. wavering—between belief and unbelief. Compare the case of the Israelites, who seemed to partly believe in God's power, but leaned more to unbelief by "limiting" it. On the other hand, compare Acts 10:20; Romans 4:20 ("staggered not . . . through unbelief," literally, as here, "wavered not"); 1... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 1:2-11

A. The Value of Trials 1:2-11The writer pointed out the value of trials to encourage his readers to adopt a positive attitude toward these experiences, to endure them, and to view them as God’s tools. God uses trials to shape believers into people that will glorify Himself. read more