James 1:19

Wherefore, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. (James 1:19)

The phrase “quick to hear,” refers to the “Word” of verse 18. The concept is also found in the Old Testament (Sir. 5:11).¹

According to Adamson, verse 1:19 makes the moral logic of James’ thought even more clear. The verse begins with, “wherefore, my beloved brothers…” James will argue that a Christian’s conduct will be outward evidence of the new birth.

“Slow to speak” may refer to the perils of too much speaking.

Be not hasty in thy tongue, and in they deeds slack and remiss.²

The Sin of the Tongue

In chapters 3 and 4 of James’ epistle, he will mention a very serious sin of the tongue–malicious slander. The Rabbis called it “the third tongue” (lishan telitay). The third tongue slays three persons: the speaker, the spoken to, and the spoken of. When the third tongue appears the Shechinah departs.³

Terms

“Slow” means humility and patience; “Every man” means teachers.

A Warning Against Anger

James 1:19 also warns against anger toward anyone. Its opposite is good temper and self-restraint” (Ropes, p. 169).⁴

It was believed that the ‘angry’ man had not mastered his yetser.⁵ To lose one’s temper was to lose the Shechinah (Jas. 2:1).⁶

• The Epistle of James, Chapter 3
• Kavanaugh’s Hearing and the Incivility of a Conquered People
• The Right is Passing Judgment on the Left
• The Epistle of James, Chapter 1
• Patriarchy

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

1. Also the Talmud’s four kinds of disciples, b. Ned. 22b; M. Aboth v. 18; TDNT 1, (G Kittel), pp. 216ff.
2. Sir. 4:29; A Cohen, Everyman’s Talmud (1932), p. 100. Cf. Menninger, op. cit., p. 143.
3. Deut. R., Ki Tētsē vi.5.
4. J. H. Ropes, The Epistle of St. James. ICC (1916).
5. b. Baba Bathra 16a; Hermas Mand. v.2a, 3-4
6. For an alleged reference to Simeon, see A. Meyer, pp. 282ff.; Gen. 49:5ff.; Test. Levi 6f.