James 1:5 (NKJV)

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Eisegesis: 

You need to ace your exams or need help solving a complex problem at work just ask God for wisdom. 

Exegesis:   

This verse is not a blanket promise for general wisdom on any topic at any time. Instead, it speaks of specific knowledge given to understand and navigate through challenging trials.

The context of this verse is often missed without reading the verses surrounding it.

A theme of wisdom runs throughout James’ letter, calling on believers to live out their faith every day. In fact the whole letter of James is heavily focused on practical Christian living. It deals with topics like how to handle trails, the dangers of favoritism, taming the tongue, the relationship between faith and works and the importance of humility.

This verse highlights how enduring trials helps believers grow in faith and maturity in their Christian walk. To fully understand its meaning, it is important to examine the verses that come before and after it for additional context.

James 1:2-5 (NKJV)

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

As we can see, believers are encouraged to think of adverse trials as pure joy because their testing will produce endurance. The trail brings a season for seeking God’s wisdom.  It is often not until we are faced with difficulty that we realize we need wisdom.

In times of trial, it is important to determine whether God wants us to eliminate the trial by faith or persevere in it by faith. Godly wisdom is needed for this.

There is no doubt that God grants wisdom in many aspects of life, but the immediate context suggests that James is referring to wisdom in understanding and navigating trials from a godly perspective.

According to James, believers don’t need to fear trials or rely solely on their own limited, fallible wisdom to face them. Instead, James encourages us to turn to our heavenly Father for His wisdom—spiritual insight and practical guidance rooted in His Word—to navigate challenging situations.

There is no life without God, and many people often overlook or forget this simple understanding.

When James says, If anyone lacks wisdom, he is not suggesting that some have it all together that they do not need wisdom. The Greek conditional sentence implies that we all lack wisdom when facing difficult trials. However, we don’t always recognize our need for God’s wisdom.

It goes against our natural inclination to endure trials with joy.

When trials hit, we’re all prone to asking, “Why am I suffering? But that is the wrong question. Occasionally, God graciously explains the cause of our suffering to us, but not always. Often, the reason we suffer cannot be answered until we reach heaven. When a trial hits, the most important question to ask yourself is, “How can I understand this trial from God’s perspective?” How can I navigate through this storm to bring glory to God? How can this trial help me grow in maturity?”

Pastor Warren Wiersbe (Be Mature [Victor Books], p. 29) tells about a secretary of his who was going through difficult trials. She had had a stroke, her husband had gone blind, and then he had to be taken to the hospital where, as far as they knew, he would die. Wiersbe saw this woman in church one Sunday and assured her that he was praying for her. She startled him by asking, “What are you asking God to do?” He replied, “I’m asking God to help you and strengthen you.” “I appreciate that,” she said, “but pray about one more thing. Pray that I’ll have the wisdom not to waste all of this!” Wiersbe observed, “She knew the meaning of James 1:5.”

In times of trial, why do we need wisdom? Why not ask for strength, grace, or deliverance? For this reason, we need wisdom to not waste God’s opportunities to mature in our Christian walk. Wisdom helps us understand how to use these circumstances for our good and God’s glory.

Further, the phrase “who gives to all liberally and without reproach” does not mean that God will instantly grant wisdom without any process as soon as wisdom is asked for. It is often through experiences, reflection, and growth in the knowledge of God’s word that wisdom develops.

Therefore, James 1:5 in context encourages believers facing trials to seek God’s wisdom on how to navigate those challenges in a way that leads to spiritual maturity and growth. When approached with sincere faith, it promises divine guidance in adversity.