James 1:7

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} let {G3633} not {G3361} that {G1565} man {G444} think {G3633} that {G3754} he shall receive {G2983} any thing {G5100} of {G3844} the Lord {G2962}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Indeed that person should not think that he will receive anything from the Lord,

Berean Standard Bible

That man should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

American Standard Version

For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
James 1:7 delivers a solemn warning, underscoring the critical importance of unwavering faith in one's approach to God, particularly in prayer. It asserts that a person characterized by internal division and doubt should not anticipate receiving anything from the Lord, directly linking the efficacy of spiritual seeking to the integrity and consistency of one's faith. This verse serves as a direct consequence of the wavering state described immediately prior, highlighting the futility of a double-minded heart in its spiritual pursuits.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** James 1:7 is an integral part of James's opening exhortation to believers facing trials. The apostle begins by urging them to consider trials as opportunities for joy and growth in perseverance, recognizing that such endurance leads to spiritual maturity ([James 1:2-4](/james/1-2-4 "James 1:2-4 - The Purpose of Trials")). Immediately preceding this verse, James addresses the need for wisdom to navigate these trials, promising that God gives generously to those who ask without reproach ([James 1:5](/james/1-5 "James 1:5 - Asking for Wisdom")). However, this divine promise is conditional upon asking "in faith, nothing wavering" ([James 1:6](/james/1-6 "James 1:6 - The Condition of Faith")). Verse 7 then presents the stark consequence of failing this condition: a person who wavers should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. This logical progression culminates in the description of the "double-minded man" in [James 1:8](/james/1-8 "James 1:8 - The Double-Minded Man"), whose instability in all his ways is a direct result of this internal division and lack of singular focus on God.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The early Christian community, to whom James wrote, was likely facing various forms of persecution and internal challenges, leading to a natural need for divine wisdom and intervention. In a world where patron-client relationships were common, the concept of approaching a benefactor (God) with a clear, unwavering request was culturally understandable. Doubt, in this context, would not only imply a lack of trust in the benefactor's ability or willingness but also a spiritual instability that was antithetical to the steadfastness expected of believers. The Jewish background of many early Christians, including James himself, would also emphasize the importance of wholehearted devotion to Yahweh, where a divided heart was seen as a grave spiritual failing, reminiscent of Israel's wavering loyalty in the Old Testament.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several major themes in James's epistle. Firstly, it powerfully underscores **The Necessity of Unwavering Faith**, asserting that God responds to sincere, undivided trust, not merely to requests. It's not just about asking, but about asking with full confidence in God's character and His willingness to provide, a theme echoed in other New Testament teachings on prayer, such as [Matthew 21:22](/matthew/21-22 "Matthew 21:22 - Faith and Prayer"). Secondly, the verse highlights **The Hindrance of Doubt**, portraying it as a significant barrier to receiving divine blessings. When the heart is divided between trusting God and questioning His faithfulness or ability, it creates a spiritual instability that obstructs the flow of grace. Lastly, it implicitly calls for **Singleness of Purpose** in one's spiritual life. God desires wholehearted devotion and trust, not a wavering, indecisive approach to spiritual matters. This call to integrity resonates throughout the epistle, particularly in its emphasis on genuine faith demonstrated through works ([James 2:14-26](/james/2-14-26 "James 2:14-26 - Faith Without Works Is Dead")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **man (Greek, _ánthrōpos'_):** (G444) This term refers to a human being generally, without distinction of gender. In this context, it emphasizes the universal applicability of the warning: any person who approaches God with a wavering mind will not receive. It highlights the human responsibility in the interaction with the divine.
* **think (Greek, _oíomai'_):** (G3633) This verb means "to imagine" or "to be of the opinion." Here, it refers to the internal expectation or presumption of the individual. The verse warns against the presumption that one can receive from God while simultaneously harboring doubt, suggesting that such a thought process is fundamentally flawed or misguided.
* **receive (Greek, _lambánō'_):** (G2983) This is a broad verb meaning "to take," "to get hold of," or "to obtain." In the context of prayer and seeking from God, it signifies the act of acquiring or being granted something. The negation "shall not receive" directly addresses the outcome of a doubting heart, indicating a complete lack of acquisition from the Lord.
* **Lord (Greek, _kýrios'_):** (G2962) Derived from a root implying supremacy, this term denotes "supreme in authority" or "Master." When referring to God, it emphasizes His sovereign power and rightful dominion. The phrase "of the Lord" underscores that the blessings sought are divine in origin, and therefore, the recipient's posture before such a sovereign Giver is paramount.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For let not that man think":** This opening clause serves as a strong prohibition or warning. The "that man" refers directly back to the "he that wavereth" in the preceding verse ([James 1:6](/james/1-6 "James 1:6 - The Condition of Faith")). It is a direct command from James, urging such an individual not to harbor the expectation or belief that their wavering approach will yield positive results from God. The implication is that such a thought is a delusion.
* **"that he shall receive any thing":** This specifies the consequence of the wavering mind. The phrase "any thing" (G5100, _tìs_) is an indefinite pronoun, meaning "some or any person or object." In this context, it implies *nothing at all*. The person who doubts should not expect to obtain even the slightest benefit or answer to their prayer from God, emphasizing the complete futility of their approach.
* **"of the Lord."**: This final phrase identifies the source from whom the "any thing" (or rather, nothing) is sought. It underscores that the interaction is with God Himself, the sovereign Master. The implication is that God, in His wisdom and character, does not respond to a divided heart, as such a heart demonstrates a lack of trust and honor due to His supreme authority and faithfulness.

#### Literary Devices
James 1:7 primarily employs **Consequence** and **Contrast**. It functions as a direct consequence of the wavering faith described in [James 1:6](/james/1-6 "James 1:6 - The Condition of Faith"), explicitly stating the negative outcome for the doubting individual. This creates a stark **Contrast** with the promise of generous giving to those who ask in faith in [James 1:5](/james/1-5 "James 1:5 - Asking for Wisdom"). The verse also uses **Understatement** or **Litotes** through the phrase "any thing," which, in context, means "nothing at all," powerfully conveying the complete absence of divine reception. Furthermore, the verse acts as a **Warning**, serving to caution believers against the spiritual instability caused by a divided mind, setting the stage for the description of the "double-minded man" in [James 1:8](/james/1-8 "James 1:8 - The Double-Minded Man").

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
James 1:7 profoundly articulates a foundational principle of divine interaction: God responds to genuine, undivided faith. It reveals that the effectiveness of prayer and the reception of God's blessings are not merely about the act of asking, but about the posture of the heart in that asking. Doubt, in this theological framework, is not merely a cognitive uncertainty but a spiritual instability that dishonors God's character and obstructs His gracious provision. This verse underscores God's desire for a relationship built on trust and wholehearted reliance, where His generosity is met with our confident expectation, rather than a wavering heart that questions His faithfulness or ability.

* [Matthew 7:7-8](/matthew/7-7-8 "Matthew 7:7-8 - Ask, Seek, Knock")
* [Mark 11:24](/mark/11-24 "Mark 11:24 - Believe You Have Received")
* [Hebrews 11:6](/hebrews/11-6 "Hebrews 11:6 - Faith Pleases God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
James 1:7 serves as a powerful mirror for self-examination, challenging us to scrutinize the sincerity and consistency of our faith, particularly in our prayer lives and our overall walk with God. It compels us to move beyond superficial requests and cultivate a deep, abiding trust in God's character, His promises, and His sovereign will. When we approach God, are we truly believing He is both able and willing to act, or are we hedging our bets, harboring a "plan B," or secretly expecting failure? This verse calls us to confront the subtle (or not-so-subtle) doubts that undermine our spiritual effectiveness and hinder our experience of God's provision. It's a call to spiritual integrity, urging us to align our inner disposition with our outward declarations of faith, ensuring that our hearts are singularly focused on God, free from the instability that prevents us from receiving the fullness of His blessings.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or prayer requests do I find myself wavering or harboring doubt?**
* **How does my internal state of doubt or confidence impact my expectation of God's response?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a more unwavering faith, especially when facing trials or uncertainty?**
* **How might a "double-minded" approach in one area of my life affect my overall relationship with God and my ability to receive from Him?**

### FAQ

**What does it mean to "waver" in the context of James 1:7?**

Answer: To "waver" (from the Greek _diakrinō_) means to be divided in mind, to doubt, or to hesitate. In the context of James 1:6-7, it specifically refers to a person who is indecisive or unstable in their faith when approaching God, particularly in prayer for wisdom. It's a state where one's trust in God is not wholehearted but is split between belief and unbelief, or between relying on God and relying on oneself or other means. This internal division, as described in [James 1:8](/james/1-8 "James 1:8 - The Double-Minded Man"), makes a person unstable in all their ways.

**Why does doubt prevent someone from receiving anything from the Lord?**

Answer: Doubt acts as a barrier because it fundamentally undermines the nature of faith, which is essential for pleasing God ([Hebrews 11:6](/hebrews/11-6 "Hebrews 11:6 - Faith Pleases God")). When we doubt, we are essentially questioning God's character—His faithfulness, His power, or His willingness to provide. This lack of trust dishonors God and creates a spiritual disconnect. God desires a relationship built on confident reliance, and a wavering heart demonstrates a lack of this foundational trust. It's not that God *can't* give, but that the *posture* of the doubting heart is not aligned with receiving His grace.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While James 1:7 directly addresses the necessity of unwavering faith in receiving from the Lord, its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning are found in Christ. Jesus Christ is not only the perfect embodiment of unwavering faith, perfectly trusting the Father in every circumstance ([John 8:29](/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - Jesus Always Pleases the Father")), but He is also the sole mediator through whom all blessings from the Father flow. We "receive any thing of the Lord" *through* Him. The access to God's generous giving, promised in [James 1:5](/james/1-5 "James 1:5 - Asking for Wisdom"), is made possible by Christ's atoning work, which reconciles us to God ([Romans 5:10](/romans/5-10 "Romans 5:10 - Reconciliation Through Christ")). Furthermore, the Holy Spirit, given by Christ, is the one who enables us to pray in faith and helps us in our weaknesses, interceding for us according to God's will ([Romans 8:26-27](/romans/8-26-27 "Romans 8:26-27 - The Spirit Helps Us Pray")). Thus, the call to unwavering faith in James 1:7 is ultimately a call to unwavering faith *in Christ*, who is the source of all wisdom, the one who gives us access to the Father, and the one who empowers us to overcome doubt through His Spirit, ensuring that we can indeed "receive any thing" that aligns with God's perfect will for our lives ([1 John 5:14-15](/1_john/5-14-15 "1 John 5:14-15 - Confidence in Prayer")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

James 4:3

Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume [it] upon your lusts.

Isaiah 58:3

¶ Wherefore have we fasted, [say they], and thou seest not? [wherefore] have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.

Isaiah 58:4

Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as [ye do this] day, to make your voice to be heard on high.

Isaiah 1:15

And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.

Proverbs 15:8

¶ The sacrifice of the wicked [is] an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright [is] his delight.

Proverbs 21:27

¶ The sacrifice of the wicked [is] abomination: how much more, [when] he bringeth it with a wicked mind?