James 1 · Verse 6

James 1:6

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
James 1:6, King James Version

James 1:6 in other translations

BSBBut he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
WEBBut let him ask in faith, without any doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed.
ASVBut let him ask in faith, nothing doubting: for he that doubteth is like the surge of the sea driven by the wind and tossed.
YLTand 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,
DARBYbut let him ask in faith, nothing doubting. For he that doubts is like a wave of the sea driven by the wind and tossed about;
BBELet him make his request in faith, doubting nothing; for he who has doubt in his heart is like the waves of the sea, which are troubled by the driving of the wind.
WebsterBut let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

What does James 1:6 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
6. ask in faith--that is, the persuasion that God can and will give. James begins and ends with faith. In the middle of the Epistle he removes the hindrances to faith and shows its true character [Bengel]. wavering--between belief and unbelief. Compare the case of the Israelites, who seemed to partly believe in God's power, but leaned more to unbelief by "limiting" it. On the other hand, compare Ac 10:20; Ro 4:20 ("staggered not ... through unbelief," literally, as here, "wavered not"); 1Ti 2:8. like a wave of the sea--Is 57:20; Ep 4:14, where the same Greek word occurs for "tossed to and fro," as is here translated, "driven with the wind." driven with the wind--from without. tossed--from within, by its own instability [Bengel]. At one time cast on the shore of faith and hope, at another rolled back into the abyss of unbelief; at one time raised to the height of worldly pride, at another tossed in the sands of despair and affliction [Wiesinger].

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 6. But let him ask in faith. See the passages referred to in Jas 1:5. Mt 7:7, and Heb 11:6 to obtain any favour from God if there is not faith; and where, as in regard to the wisdom necessary to guide us, we are sure that it is in accordance with his will to grant it to us, we may come to him with the utmost confidence, the most entire assurance, that it will be granted. In this case, we should come to God without a doubt that, if we ask with a proper spirit, the very thing that we ask will be bestowed on us. We cannot in all other cases be so sure that what we ask will be for our good, or that it will be in accordance with his will to bestow it; and hence we cannot in such cases come with the same kind of faith. We can then only come with unwavering confidence in God, that he will do what is right and best; and that if he sees that what we ask will be for our good, he will bestow it upon us. Here, however, nothing prevents our coming with the assurance that the very thing which we ask will be conferred on us. Nothing wavering. μηδενδιακρινομενος. "Doubting or hesitating as to nothing, or in no respect." See Acts 20:20; 11:12. In regard to the matter under consideration, there is to be no hesitancy, no doubting, no vacillation of the mind. We are to come to God with the utmost confidence and assurance.

For he that wavereth, is like a wave of the sea, etc. The propriety and beauty of this comparison will be seen at once. The wave of the sea has no stability. It is at the mercy of every wind, and seems to be driven and tossed every way. So he that comes to God with unsettled convictions and hopes, is liable to be driven about by every new feeling that may spring up in the mind. At one moment, hope and faith impel him to come to God; then the mind is at once filled with uncertainty and doubt, and the soul is agitated and restless as the ocean. Compare Isa 57:20. Hope on the one hand, and the fear of not obtaining the favour which is desired on the other, keep the mind restless and discomposed.

(a) "But let him ask in faith" Mk 11:24 (*) "wavering", or "doubting" (+) "wavereth", or "doubteth"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 6 Let him ask in faith - Believing that God IS; that he has all good; and that he is ever ready to impart to his creatures whatever they need. Nothing wavering - Μηδεν διακρινομενος· Not judging otherwise; having no doubt concerning the truth of these grand and fundamental principles, never supposing that God will permit him to ask in vain, when he asks sincerely and fervently. Let him not hesitate, let him not be irresolute; no man can believe too much good of God. Is like a wave of the sea - The man who is not thoroughly persuaded that if he ask of God he shall receive, resembles a wave of the sea; he is in a state of continual agitation; driven by the wind, and tossed: now rising by hope, then sinking by despair.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on James 1:1-11

Chapter Outline How to apply to God under troubles, and how to behave in prosperous and in adverse circumstances. (1-11) To look upon all evil as proceeding from ourselves, and all good from God. (12-18) The duty of watching against a rash temper, and of receiving the word of God with meekness. (19-21) And of living according thereto. (22-25) The difference between vain pretences and real religion. (26-27) Verses…

Read the full comment on James 1:1-11 →

James 1:6 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

αἰτείτωaiteitōhe should askG154
δὲdehoweverG1161
ἐνeninG1722
πίστειpisteifaithG4102
μηδὲνmēdennothingG3367
διακρινόμενος·diakrinomenosdoubting;G1252
ὁhoThe [one]G3588
γὰρgarforG1063
διακρινόμενοςdiakrinomenosdoubtingG1252
ἔοικενeoikenhe has been likenedG1503
κλύδωνιkludōnito a waveG2830
θαλάσσηςthalassēsof [the] seaG2281
ἀνεμιζομένῳanemizomenōbeing blown by the windG416
καὶkaiandG2532
ῥιπιζομένῳ.rhipizomenōbeing tossed by the wind.G4494

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for James 1:6

  • Matthew 21:21-22

    Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

  • Hebrews 11:6

    But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

  • Mark 11:22-24

    And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

  • Ephesians 4:14

    That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

  • Hebrews 10:23

    Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

  • Hebrews 13:9

    Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

  • 1 Timothy 2:8

    I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
let.
Mt 21:22; Mr 11:22-24; 1Ti 2:8; Heb 11:6
he.
Ge 49:4; Eph 4:14; Heb 10:23; 13:9; 2Pe 2:17; Jude 1:12,13

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • James 1:5

    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.

  • James 1:6

    But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

  • James 1:7

    For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

Read all of James 1

James 1:6 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Pero pida en fe, no dudando nada: porque el que duda es semejante á la onda de la mar, que es movida del viento, y echada de una parte á otra.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		mais qu’il demande avec foi, ne doutant nullement; car celui qui doute est semblable au flot de la mer, agité par le vent et jeté çà et là;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Er bitte aber im Glauben, ohne irgend zu zweifeln; denn der Zweifelnde ist gleich einer Meereswoge, die vom Winde bewegt und hin und her getrieben wird.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Postulet autem in fide nihil hæsitans: qui enim hæsitat, similis est fluctui maris, qui a vento movetur et circumfertur: