James 1:20
What does James 1:20 mean?
A plain-English look at James 1:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What James 1:20 means
James explains the caution about anger: human wrath does not produce the righteousness of God. Our anger, often fueled by pride or hurt, rarely accomplishes God’s just purposes. It tends to distort, not heal; to divide, not reconcile. This does not deny all righteous indignation, but warns that the ordinary anger of man is an unfit tool for achieving God’s ends. The point is deeply practical for communities under pressure: zeal without wisdom damages. Better to seek God’s ways—patience, gentleness, truth—than to vent forcefully. Only the Spirit’s fruit bears the righteous life that God desires among his people.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For the righteousness of God does not come about by the wrath of man.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for the wrath of a man the righteousness of God doth not work;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For the anger of man worketh not the justice of God.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890for man's wrath does not workGod's righteousness.
Context
This reasoning follows the command to be slow to anger (verse 19) and anticipates the call to receive the implanted word (verse 21). The flow shows that control of speech and temper prepares the heart to welcome God’s truth. James is building toward the contrast between hearers and doers (verses 22–25), where acting on God’s Word, not reacting in wrath, marks true religion. The emphasis is on the practical righteousness God seeks in his people.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Timothy 2:24
And the Lord’s servant must not strive, but be gentle towards all, apt to teach, forbearing,
- James 3:17
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy.
- Ephesians 4:26
Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
- Numbers 20:11
And Moses lifted up his hand, and smote the rock with his rod twice: and water came forth abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their cattle.
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Be slow to anger, quick to listen, and quick to forgive.
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Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord's coming.
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Our light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory.
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