Clarke's Bible Commentary - James 1:19
Verse 19. Swift to hear] Talk little and work much, is a rabbinical adage.- Pirkey Aboth, cap. i. 15. The righteous speak little, and do much; the wicked speak much, and do nothing. - Bava Metzia, fol. 87.
The son of Sirach says, cap. v. 11: ginou tacuv en th akrosei sou, kai en makroqumia fqeggou apokrisin. "Be swift to hear, and with deep consideration give answer." Slow to wrath] "There are four kinds of dispositions," says the Midrash hanaalam, cap. v. 11: "First, Those who are easily incensed, and easily pacified; these gain on one hand, and lose on the other. Secondly, Those who are not easily incensed, but are difficult to be appeased; these lose on the one hand, and gain on the other. Thirdly, Those who are difficult to be incensed, and are easily appeased; these are the good. Fourthly, Those who are easily angered, and difficult to be appeased; these are the wicked." Those who are hasty in speech are generally of a peevish or angry disposition. A person who is careful to consider what he says, is not likely to be soon angry.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 19. Wherefore, my beloved brethren , etc.] Since the Gospel, the word of truth, is the means and instrument which God makes use of in regeneration, and in forming people for himself: let every man be swift to hear ; not anything; not idle and unprofitable talk, or filthy and corrupt communication; but wholesome advice, good instructions, and the gracious experiences of the saints, and, above all, the word of God; to the hearing of which men should fly, as doves to their windows; should make haste, and be early in their attendance on it, as well, as constant; and receive it with all readiness, and with a sort of greediness of mind, that their souls may be profited, and God may be glorified: the phrase is Jewish; things easy and smooth, a man is [ml ryhm , swift to hear them f11 : slow to speak; against what is heard, without thoroughly weighing and considering what is said; and this may regard silence under hearing the word, and is also a rule to be observed in private conversation: or the sense may be, be content to be hearers of the word, and not forward to be preachers of it; and if called to that work, think before you speak, meditate on the word, and study to be approved to God and men. Silence is not only highly commended by the Pythagoreans, among whom it was enjoined their disciples five years f12 ; but also by the Jews: they say, nothing is better for the body than silence; that if a word is worth one shekel, silence is worth two, or worth a precious stone; that it is the spice of speech, and the chief of all spices; that it is the hedge of wisdom; hence it is the advice of Shammai; say little, and do much f13 : and they cry up, as a very excellent precept, be silent, and hear; and as containing more than persons are aware of f14 : slow to wrath ; in hearing; when admonitions and reproofs are given, sin is exposed, and vice corrected, and the distinguishing doctrines of grace, are preached; which are apt to fill natural men with wrath, and which must greatly hinder the usefulness of the word; (see Luke 4:28). This is omitted in the Ethiopic version.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 19-21 - Instead of blaming God under our trials, let us open our ears an hearts to learn what he teaches by them. And if men would govern their tongues, they must govern their passions. The worst thing we can brin to any dispute, is anger. Here is an exhortation to lay apart, and to cast off as a filthy garment, all sinful practices. This must reach to sins of thought and affection, as well as of speech and practice; to every thing corrupt and sinful. We must yield ourselves to the word of God, with humble and teachable minds. Being willing to hear of ou faults, taking it not only patiently, but thankfully. It is the desig of the word of God to make us wise to salvation; and those who propos any mean or low ends in attending upon it, dishonour the gospel, an disappoint their own souls.
Greek Textus Receptus
ωστε 5620 αδελφοι 80 μου 3450 αγαπητοι 27 εστω 2077 5749 πας 3956 ανθρωπος 444 ταχυς 5036 εις 1519 το 3588 ακουσαι 191 5658 βραδυς 1021 εις 1519 το 3588 λαλησαι 2980 5658 βραδυς 1021 εις 1519 οργην 3709
Vincent's NT Word Studies
19. Wherefore. The A.V. follows the reading wste. But the correct reading is iste, ye know, and so Rev. Others render it as imperative, know ye, as calling attention to what follows.
