Devine Scripture

James 1:19

What does James 1:19 mean?

A plain-English look at James 1:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What James 1:19 means

James exhorts his beloved brethren to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. Those birthed by the word of truth should be characterized by humble receptivity and self-control. Quick listening honors God and others; slow speech guards against rash words; slow anger restrains reactive judgment. In trials, tempers flare and tongues run; James counsels a pace change. This triad fosters peace in the community and creates space for God’s Word to take root. It is not silence for its own sake, but disciplined attentiveness that reflects a heart trained by grace and eager to learn.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Ye knowthis, my beloved brethren. But let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Ye knowthis, my beloved brethren. But let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

You have knowledge of this, dear brothers. But let every man be quick in hearing, slow in words, slow to get angry;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

So then, my brethren beloved, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

You know, my dearest brethren. And let every man be swift to hear, but slow to speak and slow to anger.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

So that, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;

Context

Flowing from new birth by God’s Word (verse 18), this counsel applies that identity to everyday relationships. James will immediately explain in verse 20 why human anger fails to produce God’s righteousness, and in verse 21 urge meek reception of the implanted word. The sequence moves from relational posture (listening and restraint) to theological reason (anger’s failure) to spiritual practice (receiving and doing the Word). It prepares for the major theme of doing versus hearing in verses 22–25.

v.18Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

v.19This passage

v.20for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 15:1

    Now all the publicans and sinners were drawing near unto him to hear him.

  • Ecclesiastes 5:1

    Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God; for to draw nigh to hear is better than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they know not that they do evil.

  • Nehemiah 8:2

    And Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly, both men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.

  • Proverbs 19:11

    The discretion of a man maketh him slow to anger; And it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

  • Proverbs 19:19

    A man of great wrath shall bear the penalty; For if thou deliver him, thou must do it yet again.

  • Mark 2:2

    And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, no, not even about the door: and he spake the word unto them.

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