James 1:21 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - James 1:19-27

In this part of the chapter we are required, I. To restrain the workings of passion. This lesson we should learn under afflictions; and this we shall learn if we are indeed begotten again by the word of truth. For thus the connection stands?An angry and hasty spirit is soon provoked to ill things by afflictions, and errors and ill opinions become prevalent through the workings of our own vile and vain affections; but the renewing grace of God and the word of the gospel teach us to subdue... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - James 1:21

1:21 So then strip yourself of all filthiness and of the excrescence of vice, and in gentleness receive the inborn word which is able to save your souls. James uses a series of vivid words and pictures. He tells his readers to strip themselves of all vice and filthiness. The word he uses for strip is the word used for stripping off one's clothes. He bids his hearers get rid of all defilement as a man strips off soiled garments or as a snake sloughs off its skin. Both the words he uses... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - James 1:21

Wherefore lay apart all filthiness ,.... All manner of filthiness, both of flesh and spirit; all pride, vanity, wrath, malice, and evil speaking, under hearing the word: the allusion seems to be to a boiling pot, which casts up scum and filth, which must be taken off: and such is the spirit of wrathful men; it throws up the filth of haughtiness and pride, of anger, wrath, and wickedness, which must be taken off, and laid aside; or the word will not be heard to any profit, or advantage: ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - James 1:21

All filthiness - Πασαν ῥυπαριαν . This word signifies any impurity that cleaves to the body; but applied to the mind, it implies all impure and unholy affections, such as those spoken of James 1:15 , which pollute the soul; in this sense it is used by the best Greek writers. Superfluity of naughtiness - Περισσειαν κακιας· The overflowing of wickedness. Perhaps there is an allusion here to the part cut off in circumcision, which was the emblem of impure desire; and to lessen that... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - James 1:21

Verse 21 21Wherefore lay apart. He concludes by saying how the word of life is to be received. And first, indeed, he intimates that it cannot be rightly received except it be implanted, or strike roots in us. For the expression, to receive the implanted word, ought to be thus explained, “to receive it, that it may be really implanted.” For he alludes to seed often sown on and ground, and not received into the moist bosom of the earth; or to plants, which being cast on the ground, or laid on... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:19-21

The reception of the Word. "The Word of truth" being within our reach, as the means of conveying to us the great gift of regeneration, it is most important that we cultivate those dispositions which are most favorable to the realization of its saving power. These three verses accordingly contain four counsels, each of which touches a deeper part of our nature than the one preceding. If we would rightly "receive" the Word, we must have— I. A QUICK EAR . "Swift to hear." This precept... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:19-27

EXHORTATION read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:19-27

Deeds, not words. 1. The right spirit for the Christian is the receptive ; ready to hear, and to receive with meekness the engrafted Word, which is to be as the seed falling on the good ground (comp. Matthew 13:3 , etc). A heathen philosopher has noted that man has two ears and only one mouth ; showing that he should be more ready to hear than to speak. 2. A receptive spirit is not alone sufficient. Action must follow. Holy Scripture is a mirror, in which a man may see... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:19-27

The law of the new life. "Ye know this, my beloved brethren;" viz. that ye have been begotten again by God. But now, from this vantage-ground, he presses the necessity of a consistent life. They have espoused, by God's grace, a new ideal of character and conduct; let their whole life show forth its power. This is the topic of the whole passage, and it divides itself very naturally into the related subjects of—meekness, self-knowledge, and practical religion (see Punchard, in Bishop... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:21

With the form of expression in this verse, comp. 1 Peter 2:1 , "Putting away, therefore, all wickedness ( ἀποθέμενοι οὗν πᾶσαν κακίαν ), and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil-speakings, as new-born babes long for the spiritual milk," etc. Filthiness ( ῥυπαρὶαν ). Here only in the New Testament, never in LXX .; but the adjective ῥυπαρός is the word used of the "filthy garments" in Zechariah 3:3 , Zechariah 3:4 —a narrative which illustrates the... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - James 1:19-27

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - James 1:21

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - James 1:21

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - James 1:21

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - James 1:21

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:19-21

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:19-27

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:19-27

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:19-27

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:21

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