Lexical Summary haplós: Simply, sincerely, generously Original Word: ἁπλῶς Strong's Exhaustive Concordance liberally, sincerelyAdverb from haplous (in the objective sense of haplotes); bountifully; --liberally. see GREEK haplous see GREEK haplotes HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 574 haplṓs (the adverbial form of 573 /haploús, "single, unfolded") – properly, acting with simplicity – literally, "without folds" (WP, J. Thayer), i.e. without undue complications. See 572 (haplotēs). 574 /haplṓs ("simply"), used only in Js 1:5, refers to God "generously" giving wisdom – which is better translated "giving undividedly, openly" (literally, "unfolded, holding nothing back"). Js 1:5,6: "5But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously (574 /haplṓs) and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6But he must [continuously, in process] ask in faith (4102 /pístis) without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind" (NASU). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originadverb from haplous Definition simply, sincerely NASB Translation generously (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 574: ἁπλῶςἁπλῶς, adverb (from Aeschylus down), simply, openly, frankly, sincerely: James 1:5 (led solely by his desire to bless). Topical Lexicon Biblical Context James 1:5 employs the adverb translated “generously” to describe the manner in which God bestows wisdom on petitioners. The term points to a wholehearted, undivided, unreserved giving—free from ulterior motives or partiality. In the structure of James, it stands in sharp contrast to the double-mindedness condemned in James 1:6–8. While the word appears only here in the New Testament, its solitary occurrence carries significant theological weight by anchoring the epistle’s opening call to prayerful dependence in the character of God Himself. Divine Character Revealed 1. Undivided Goodness: The adverb underscores God’s single-hearted purpose to bless. His giving is not calculated or reluctant but flows from an integrally good nature (Psalm 145:9; Matthew 7:11). Call to Imitate Generosity Believers are summoned to reflect the same singleness of purpose: Historical Reception and Commentary Early Christian writers seized upon the word to affirm God’s immutable goodness. Chrysostom observed that “He gives as One who is both rich and willing.” Augustine linked the concept to divine simplicity, asserting that God’s generosity is a natural extension of His undivided essence. During the Reformation, John Calvin noted that the term exposes the error of imagining God as sparing or grudging in His gifts. Later evangelical commentators used it to encourage expectant prayer lives among congregations. Practical Ministry Implications • Discipleship: Teaching new believers to pray for wisdom anchors their growth in a right view of God. Related Biblical Themes Single-minded devotion: Matthew 6:22 speaks of the “single” eye that fills the body with light, paralleling the undivided nature of God’s generosity. Sincerity in Christ: Paul extols “sincerity and godly purity” (2 Corinthians 1:12), using a cognate that broadens the concept from giving to overall conduct. Abundant grace: The overflow language of 2 Corinthians 9:8 (“God is able to make all grace abound to you”) reiterates the idea that divine resources are not doled out sparingly but lavishly. Summary Though occurring only once, the adverb in James 1:5 serves as a theological lodestar. It discloses a God whose giving is wholehearted and without reserve, invites believers to petition Him confidently, and establishes a pattern of sincere, generous living that resonates throughout Scripture and church history. Forms and Transliterations απλως απλώς ἁπλῶς aplos aplōs haplos haplôs haplōs haplō̂sLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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