James 1:19-21

Living Out the Message

1:19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters! ¹  Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger. 1:20 For human ²  anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness. ³  1:21 So put away all filth and evil excess and humbly ⁴  welcome the message implanted within you, which is able to save your souls.

[1:19]  ¹ tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:2.

[1:20]  ² tn The word translated “human” here is ἀνήρ (anhr), which often means “male” or “man (as opposed to woman).” But it sometimes is used generically to mean “anyone,” “a person” (cf. BDAG 79 s.v. 2), and in this context, contrasted with “God’s righteousness,” the point is “human” anger (not exclusively “male” anger).

[1:20]  ³ sn God’s righteousness could refer to (1) God’s righteous standard, (2) the righteousness God gives, (3) righteousness before God, or (4) God’s eschatological righteousness (see P. H. Davids, James [NIGTC], 93, for discussion).

[1:21]  ⁴ tn Or “with meekness.”