Giver of Wisdom: James turns his attention to a new topic that deals with divine wisdom. This is not one’s IQ, or knowledge accumulation, or critical acumen, or practical expertise, or life experience, but the fear of the Lord,[1] the wisdom whereby one perceives the holy will of God so that he would live a godly life that pleases Him. God is a generous Giver of this heavenly wisdom.[2]
Trust vs. Doubt: James also describes two solicitors of this wisdom: the truster, one who trusts God and is ready to live by His wisdom,[3] and the doubter, one who hesitates from (or is ambivalent about) trusting God and living by His wisdom. James explains that the truster will definitely receive divine wisdom (1:5), but the doubter will assuredly not (1:7). God has no interest in giving His wisdom to someone who is not ready to willingly and joyfully live by His wisdom. James further points out the serious character flaw of the doubter. He is a double-minded man, still wishy-washy about his trust in God. He is torn between self and God, between sin and obedience. He is still reluctant to let go of this world and gain Christ (Phil. 3:7-8).[4] This man has a systemic problem and he is unstable “in all his ways.” He is distant[5] from God (4:8), and his prayers are not heard, whether for wisdom or for anything else (1:7). God hears those who seek Him with a heart of trust and surrender.
[1] James writes to his Jewish audience (1:1, “to the twelve tribes”) who understood biblical wisdom that comes from above (3:13-18), the beginning of which is the fear of the Lord (Job 28:28; Psalm 111:10; Prov. 9:10).
[2] Our heavenly Father is generous even more so than a father to his children (cf. 1:17; Matt. 7:11; Luke 11:13).
[3] This is the asker of 1:5 and the 1:6a. He asks in faith without any doubting. He trusts God and does not doubt Him and has made a firm decision to trust and obey Him (Psalm 125:1; Josh. 24:15).
[4] This is a person who has not given himself wholly to the Lord (Deut. 6:5; Psalm 119:2; 1 Kings 18:21). This is a rubbernecking plowman (Luke 9:62), who hasn’t counted the cost of following Christ (Luke 14:26-33).
[5] God hears His children, but not the unrepentant (4:3-8; Isaiah 59:2; John 15:7; 1 Pet. 3:12; 1 John 5:11-14).