James 1:5 (YLT)

Passage

and if any of you do lack wisdom, let him ask from God, who is giving to all liberally, and not reproaching, and it shall be given to him;

Nearby Context

James 1:3 knowing that the proof of your faith doth work endurance,

James 1:4 and let the endurance have a perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire--in nothing lacking;

James 1:5 and if any of you do lack wisdom, let him ask from God, who is giving to all liberally, and not reproaching, and it shall be given to him;

James 1:6 and let him ask in faith, nothing doubting, for he who is doubting hath been like a wave of the sea, driven by wind and tossed,

James 1:7 for let not that man suppose that he shall receive anything from the Lord--

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "lack", "wisdom", "giving", "liberally", "reproaching", "shall", and "given". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "lack" and "wisdom", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 4's "and let the endurance have a perfect..." into verse 6's "and let him ask in faith nothing...", so "lack" and "wisdom" belong inside that flow. In James context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "lack" and "wisdom" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.