If any of you lacks wisdom
If it is possible for any direction to be more clear, it is the one which God has given us by the apostle, with regard to prayer of every kind, public or private, and the blessing annexed to it.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men liberally. If they ask. Otherwise, you have not, because you do not ask. James 4:2. And he does not upbraid, and it shall be given him. James 1:5.
If it is objected, But this is no direction to unbelievers, to those who do not know the pardoning grace of God, for the apostle adds, But let him ask in faith, otherwise let him not think that he shall receive anything from the Lord, I answer this. The meaning of the word faith, in this place, is fixed by the apostle himself, as if on purpose to answer this objection before it is made, in the words immediately following. Let him ask in faith, nothing wavering, nothing doubting. The Greek means not doubting at all. Not doubting that God hears his prayer, and will fulfill the desire of his heart.
The gross, blasphemous absurdity of supposing that faith, in this place, is taken in the full Christian meaning, appears from this. It supposes that the Holy Ghost directs a man who knows he does not have this faith, which is here called wisdom, to ask it of God, with a positive promise that it shall be given him, and then immediately adds that it shall not be given him unless he has it before he asks for it. But who can bear such a supposition? From this scripture, therefore, as well as from those cited above, we must infer that all who desire the grace of God are to wait for it in the way of prayer.
1771 text
6. If it be possible for any direction to be more clear, it is that which God hath given us by the apostle, with regard to prayer of every kind, publick or private, and the blessing annext thereto. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, (if they ask; otherwise ye have not, because ye ask not, Jam. iv. 2.) and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him, ch. i. 5.
If it be objected, “But this is no direction to unbelievers; to them who know not the pardoning grace of God: for the apostle adds, but let him ask in faith: otherwise, let him not think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.” I answer the meaning of the word faith in this place, is fixed by the apostle himself, (as if it were on purpose to obviate this objection) in the words immediately following: Let him ask in faith, nothing wavering, nothing doubting μηδὲν διακρινόμενος. Not doubting but God heareth his prayer, and will fulfil the desire of his heart.
The gross, blasphemous absurdity of supposing faith in this place to be taken in the full Christian meaning, appears hence: it is supposing the Holy Ghost to direct a man who knows he has not this faith (which is here termed wisdom) to ask it of God, with a positive promise that it shall be given him; and then immediately to subjoin, that it shall not be given him, unless he have it before he asks for it! But who can bear such a supposition? From this scripture, therefore, as well as those cited above we must infer, that all who desire the grace of God, are to wait for it in the way of prayer.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 16 in the 1771 Works. Malachi 3:7.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.