Language Studies

Greek Thoughts

PROSEUCHOMAI* - Part 4 - εχηγεομαι (Strong's #1834)
To pray

Please note that all Biblical quotes, in this and all other lessons posted to Greek Thoughts, are from The Literal English Translation of the Bible produced by BTE Ministries - The Bible Translation and Exegesis Institute of America.

This week we continue with the fourth part of our study of the word προσεὺχομαι (Strong's #4336, pronounced prō'sūk-ō-mī), which means "to pray." It is a word compounded from the preposition πρὸς (Strong's #4314, pronounced prōs) meaning "to" or "toward," and the word euâxomai (Strong's #2172, pronounced ū' kō-mī) meaning "to wish, to desire."

In past articles we have seen that εὔχομαι is used in the New Testament to express a wish; and that this is its basic, root meaning. Examples of its use are found in the writings of both Paul (Romans 9:3; 2 Corinthians 13:7; 13:9) and John (3 John 1:2). We also looked specifically at 1 John 5:14-15, in order to understand how εὔχομαι is used in prayer to God. We learned that God's answer to prayer is guaranteed only if the believer's wish and desire is for the Lord's will to be done. Last week we saw this principle supported in the teaching of James, specifically in James 4:1-4. In these verses, James presents that those who pray with underlying motives of fulfilling hedonistic desires will not receive answers to their prayers; because they are actually committing spiritual adultery and are positioning themselves as enemies of God. This week we return to James to study the details of how a double-minded man functions. Our text is James 1:5-8.
James 1:5-8

5)

Now if anyone of you is lacking wisdom, let him ask from the God giving to all generously, and not reproaching, and it shall be given to him;

In verses 2-4 of this chapter, James presents that the development of a believer's faith is worked out in trials, so that the believer can become mature and complete—not lacking in any area of life. Then, in verse 5, James states, "if anyone of you is lacking wisdom, let him ask from God..." Many people highlight verse 5 and present wisdom as something God drops out of heaven to anyone who asks for it; however, verse 5 is a continuation of verses 2-4 and must be understood in the context of those preceding verses. The key word connecting the thought from verse 4 into verse 5 is the Greek word λεὶπω (Strong's #3007, pronounced lā' pō), which means "to lack, to be destitute." In verse 4, James states that the testing of a believer's faith is to mature and complete him/her in every area of life so that he/she is not "lacking" in anything. In verse 5, James continues this thought by saying, "If anyone of you is lacking wisdom..." James is teaching that anyone wanting wisdom can just ask God, who is giving to everyone and does not reproach; but, when kept in context, we understand that the wisdom God gives is gained through the experience of trials. Properly taken together, these verses show that wisdom is the perception of life from the Lord's perspective, and that one must go through a series of trials in order to experience the Lord and His sustaining power, thereby gaining God's perspective. Succinctly stated, wisdom is gained from experiencing the Lord Himself through the various situations of our lives.

6)

but let him ask in faith, nothing doubting; for the one doubting has been like a wave of the sea being driven by the wind and being tossed;

In verse 6, James gives further instruction on how to ask for wisdom; we are to ask "in faith, nothing doubting." This instruction agrees with the principles of prayer found in 1 John 5:14-15. In these verses, John teaches that believers can have confidence that the Lord hears our prayers if we ask according to His will. John also teaches that once we know that the Lord is hearing us (because we have asked for His will to be done); we then can know that we have the petitions we have asked of Him. The phrase "we have" (from 1 John 5:15) is in the present tense meaning that presently and currently we have the answer to our prayers. (See Part Two of this series for a complete teaching on these verses.)

These same principles are taught by James in our current text; if we lack wisdom, we are to ask from God, but we are to ask in faith. To comprehend what James means by asking "in faith," we must understand his next words, "nothing doubting." The Greek word translated "doubting" is διακρὶνω (Strong's #1252, pronounced dē-ă-krēn' ō), which means "to analyze" or "to distinguish." In our text, it represents the person who analyzes a situation and becomes doubtful as to whether the Lord is going to answer prayer in the right way. By analyzing the situation, the one praying has already come to a conclusion as to how the prayer should be answered, and that conclusion is in accordance with what he/she thinks is right or wrong. James continues by describing the "one doubting" as being driven by the wind and being tossed around in his mind. In contrast, the one asking "in faith" trusts the Lord to answer prayer according to His will.

7)

for let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;

8)

a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.

James then states that the one doubting (the person who analyzes how the Lord should answer prayer) cannot suppose (or presume) "…he will receive anything from the Lord." James continues by describing the one doubting as being double-minded and unstable in all his ways (vs. 8). The Greek word translated "double-minded" is δὶψυχος (Strong's #1374, pronounced dē' psū-kōs), which means a double psyche. This person is divided between his/her own desires and interests and how the Lord might answer his/her prayer.

James, in James 1:5-8, gives the same principles as are given to us by John in 1 John 14-15. Prayer that is guaranteed to give us confidence that the Lord is hearing and answering, is the prayer prayed in faith, trusting that the Lord will answer according to His will. The person who does not ask in faith is double-minded—hesitating between two approaches to answered prayer, his/hers and the Lord's. Such a person is driven back and forth mentally, like the waves of the sea, and ends up doubting that the Lord will answer prayer correctly (as defined by his/her own desires).

Next week we will continue our study of προσεὺχομαι, focusing on Paul's teaching in Philippians 4:6-7.

*PROSEUCHOMAI is the English font spelling of the Greek word προσεὺχομαι.

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