Swift to Hear, Slow to Speak, Slow to Wrath James 1:19

James, the “servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ”, told “the twelve tribes scattered abroad” to not “err” concerning the “good and perfect gifts” that come down from “the Father of lights with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning”. In chapter one and verse nineteen of his letter, James told his readers to be “swift to hear, slow to speak” and “slow to wrath” where we read:

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

The verse begins, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren,...” James began with the word, “Wherefore” which is a conclusion word that means “so that, insomuch that, so then and therefore”, “my beloved” or “James' esteemed, dear, favorite and worthy of love” “brethren” which refers to “fellow believers who are united to another by the bond of affection in Jesus Christ”. Because the Lord “begat” he and his “dear and esteemed” readers “with the word of truth”, James wanted them to draw the following conclusion.

The verse goes on to say, “...let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:” James added, “let every man” or “each, any, all , the whole and everyone” “be swift” which means “quick, fleet, and speedy” “to hear” or “attentive, considering what is or has been said, to understand, perceive the sense of what is said”, “slow” which means “dull and inactive in mind or stupid” “to speak” or “utter a voice or emit a sound, using the tongue or faculty to articulate sounds”, “slow” or “dull and inactive in mind, stupid” “to wrath” which means “anger, with temper, movement or agitation of the soul, impulse, desire and any violent emotion with indignation”. James desired for his “beloved brethren” to be “quick” to “listen and be attentive” and very “inactive” in their “speaking” and “anger”.

When we think through these words of James, we should heed his exhortation to be eagerly ready to listen, and arrested in our “speaking” and “ire”. When we have a relationship with Jesus Christ, we are to know Him not only as “Savior” but also as “Lord”. It is interesting that God gave us two ears and one mouth that we might hear twice as much as we speak, however, sometimes our words are hasty, our “wrath” unbridled and our “listening” faint. May we meditate upon James' persuasion and live in a manner that is pleasing to God.

Next time James tells his readers how the “wrath of man” does not work “the righteousness of God”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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