What Does James 1:5 Mean in the King James?
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
Lacking wisdom is not a verdict against you; it is the opening where asking meets a generous God who does not shame the asker.
THE MEANING
When wisdom is missing, you have a real opening to ask God. God gives to everyone generously and without reproach; the gift does not turn need into shame.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the belief that needing wisdom makes you foolish or disqualifies you from asking: the verse places lack at the start of the request and says God does not shame the one who asks.
THE ROOT
ἁπλῶς
haplōs
GROWS FROM
ἁπλ
hapl
Single, simple; in this adverb, unreservedly or generously.
The word translated “liberally” belongs to a family whose senses include being single and sincere. Its generosity carries the sense of an undivided gift, with no hidden edge of stinginess.
ALSO GROWS
haplous: Single, simple, or undivided.
ἁπλοῦς
This adjective keeps the sense of singleness beneath the generosity described here.
haplotēs: Sincerity or generosity.
ἁπλότης
This related noun names generosity directly, showing the family’s link between giving and an open, sincere disposition.
ὀνειδίζοντος
oneidizontos
GROWS FROM
ὀνειδ
oneid
Reproach or cast shame by taunting.
“upbraideth” in this verse is oneidizontos. The negation reaches beyond the gift itself: the request is not turned into a taunt or held against the asker. The promise includes dignity alongside what is given.
ALSO GROWS
oneidos: Reproach or disgrace.
ὄνειδος
This noun names the shame the verse says the asker does not receive.
oneidismos: Reproach or insult.
ὀνειδισμός
This related noun makes clear that the refused response is insulting blame, not merely a smaller gift.
αἰτείτω
aiteitō
GROWS FROM
αἰτε
aite
Ask or request.
The request is met by a giver: wisdom is presented as something that can be asked for and received, rather than a status the asker must first prove. The same verb carries the ask-to-receive movement in other promises of giving.
ALSO GROWS
aiteō: To ask or request.
αἰτέω
This is the verb family’s base form and the source of the request in the verse.
aitēma: A request or the thing requested.
αἴτημα
This noun connects the act of asking with what is being asked for and given.
THE PATTERN
Wisdom comes from God as a gift, and asking is met with giving.
Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.THE THREAD
Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.The verb “ask” here and in James 1:5 comes from αἰτέω (aiteō), meaning “to ask or request.” John joins that same request to receiving; asking “in my name” carries the sense of asking in his nature.
This reading is from Selah Verse.
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