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Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - James 1:19

Wherefore, my beloved brethren - The connection is this: “since God is the only source of good; since he tempts no man; and since by his mere sovereign goodness, without any claim on our part, we have had the high honor conferred on us of being made the first-fruits of his creatures, we ought to be ready to hear his voice, to subdue all our evil passions, and to bring our souls to entire practical obedience.” The necessity of obedience, or the doctrine that the gospel is not only to be learned... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - James 1:19-20

James 1:19-20. Wherefore As if he had said, Since you are regenerated, and that by the word of God, therefore let every man be swift to hear That word; let him be willing and desirous to receive instruction from it, and therefore diligent in embracing all opportunities of hearing it; slow to speak To deliver his opinion in matters of faith, that he does not yet well understand. Persons half instructed frequently have a high opinion of their own knowledge in religious matters, are very... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - James 1:19-27

1:19-2:26 PUTTING BELIEF INTO PRACTICEThe Bible and everyday life (1:19-27)A tendency in human nature is for people to become ill-tempered, especially in times of difficulty or stress. Christians must not excuse their ill-temper by claiming that they are defending God’s honour. Such attitudes have no place in the Christian life. They must be replaced by new attitudes that arise from studying God’s Word and putting its teachings into practice (19-21).Christians must not merely read God’s Word,... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - James 1:19

swift . Greek. tachus. Only here, but the adverb occurs frequently. speak . App-121 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - James 1:19

Ye know this, my beloved brethren. But let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:The Christian who would strive for perfection has a real problem with his tongue, a subject James would give fuller treatment later in the epistle. The admonition to be "slow to wrath" was given by Paul thus, "Let not the sun go down upon your wrath" (Ephesians 4:26), the same being also condemned by him in a number of other passages: 2 Corinthians 12:20; Galatians 5:20; Colossians 3:8; Ephesians... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - James 1:19

James 1:19. Swift to hear, slow to speak— Agreeably to this inspired direction of the apostle, and the sentiments of the wisest of the Jews, the ancient philosophers have taken notice, that men have two ears, and but one tongue; that they should hear more than they speak: as also that the ears are continually open, ever ready to receive instruction; while the tongue is surrounded by a double row of teeth, to hedge it in, and keep it within proper bounds. But what the apostle seems peculiarly to... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - James 1:19

19. Wherefore—as your evil is of yourselves, but your good from God. However, the oldest manuscripts and versions read thus: "YE KNOW IT (so Ephesians 5:5; Hebrews 12:17), my beloved brethren; BUT (consequently) let every man be swift to hear," that is, docile in receiving "the word of truth" (James 1:18; James 1:21). The true method of hearing is treated in James 1:21-27; James 2:1-26. slow to speak— (Proverbs 10:19; Proverbs 17:27; Proverbs 17:28; Ecclesiastes 5:2). A good way of escaping one... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 1:2-27

II. TRIALS AND TRUE RELIGION 1:2-27James began his letter, which is in many ways a lecture, by dealing with the problem of trials that all believers encounter. Jews who became Christians in the early history of the church experienced much antagonism and persecution from their unbelieving fellow Jews, as is clear in the Book of Acts. All Christians who take a stand for the Lord continue to have to deal with such trials. Thus James’ inspired advice is perennially relevant. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 1:19

James’ readers already knew what he had just reminded them of in the preceding verses (James 1:17-18; cf. Proverbs 10:19; Proverbs 13:3; Proverbs 14:29; Proverbs 15:1; Proverbs 17:27-28; Proverbs 29:11; Proverbs 29:20; Ecclesiastes 7:9). Nevertheless they needed to act in harmony with this knowledge."He [James] drives home the teaching about our death-bound, sinful nature with the cry Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren (16); he drives home the teaching about the new birth with the cry Know... read more

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