James 1:5
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
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Interpretation

Paul urges a wisdom that is worked out in study and play in James 1:5—look for "any" and "lacks". Choose wisdom in prayers we actually pray—brighten hope by remembering.

Context

James speaks here as epistle/letter writing, developing wisdom. Read in James 1, its force becomes clearer. Listen for “any” alongside “lacks”.

Authorship & Historical Background

Long‑standing tradition credits James to James the brother of Jesus. In current research on James, Likely from Jacobian tradition; debated date.. Scholars commonly date James AD 60–100. This verse leans into perseverance & witness. Wisdom style and diaspora address inform its exhortations.

More details
Traditional:James the brother of Jesus
Modern scholarship:Likely from Jacobian tradition; debated date.
Date:AD 60–100
Manuscripts & Textual Witnesses
The Greek text is preserved in 5,800+ manuscripts, surpassing other ancient works in manuscript count. Early papyri from the 2nd-3rd centuries like P46, P66, P75 provide text within about 100-150 years of its writing. Major uncial codices (Sinaiticus, Vaticanus, 4th century) contain complete or near-complete texts. The Byzantine text family represents the majority of later manuscripts. Textual variants exist but are mostly minor: word order, articles, spelling. No central Christian doctrine depends on any disputed text. Modern critical editions compare all manuscript families to determine the most likely original reading.
Sources & witness notes
SinaiticusVaticanusP46