James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraides not; and it shall be given him. To all sincere petitioners He "giveth liberally" — with unstinted hand, with glorious munificence. Jacob asked for "bread to eat and raiment to put on," and God makes him "two bands." Solomon prayed for an "understanding heart," and God said (1 Kings 3:11-14). The prodigal thinks of the position of "an hired servant," and his father says (Luke 15:22-24). Sweet and beautiful, however, as this word "liberally" is, the apostle's own word is something even more comprehensive and encouraging. It is the adverbial form of the term employed in Romans 12:8, and Ephesians 6:5. The exact meaning here is, that God gives "with simplicity," "with singleness of spirit": He does not as men often do, give and yet in effect not give; He does not give, and yet by an unkind manner, or by subsequent ungenerous exactions, neutralise the benefit of His giving; His kindness in giving does not, as so often with men, fold in upon another motive of a selfish nature; His giving is without any duplicity, with singleness of aim to bless the recipient, to reveal the love of His own nature for the happiness of His creatures. "And upbraideth not" is pretty nearly an expansion, in a negative form, for the sake of clearness and emphasis, of the thought already giver in "liberally," "with simplicity." We may easily weary human benefactors. Those who have often shown no kindness are apt to feel continuing it a burden; and even if they do continue it, there is much chance of our hearing painful references to the frequency and largeness of our applications. Under these circumstances a suppliant may well enter the house even of one whom he has good cause to acknowledge as friend with hesitation and fear. But God, in His giving, "upbraideth not." He makes no mention of our past folly and abuse of His kindness. He always employs His past kindness as an argument to induce us, through trust in His love, to ask for more and greater blessings (Psalm 81:10). (R. Johnstone, LL. B.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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