James Chapter 1 — Commentary on Verse 19

    My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.

    Mydearbrothers. James has spoken about thewordoftruth being the instrument of conversion, and on that ground urges diligence in hearing and reverence in speaking about it. He is saying, you see what an honor God has given the Word; through it he bestows his new life. Therefore, bequicktolisten—that is, have a teachable mind to wait on God’s Word; be slowto speak—that is, do not rashly give your opinion about things concerning the faith; be slow to become angry—that is, do not be angry with those who differ from you. If we take these directions as being a specific reference to the matter in hand, the context is easy to understand. I agree that it is good to apply Scripture, and so this teaching extends to private conversation, when people are full of talk themselves and cannot bear to listen to others and seek private revenge in anger; these things are often found in Christian meetings and conventions. But the main aim of the apostle is to direct his readers to the solemn hearing of the Word.

    Notes on Verse 19

    Note1. Wherefore [KJV]. It is a great encouragement to wait on God’s ordinances when we consider the benefits God gives through them. Say this when you listen: I must listen so that my soul may live; I am going to the Word that is to give me life, to make my soul share in the divine nature.

    Note2. Wherefore [KJV]. Experience of God’s ordinances makes us more eager to receive them. He has given you birthbythewordoftruth;whereforebequicktolisten. When God gives you success, he gives you a seal of his truth, a real experience of the comforts of his service. The Stancarists [the family of Stancaras, a professor at Königsberg and afterwards in Poland, where he died in 1574—Ed.note] think ordinances are useless for believers. But they are ignorant of the nature of grace, the state of their own hearts, and the purposes of the Word. Because this proud sect has revived in our own day, and because many people as soon as they have found the benefit of ordinances think they are above them, let us examine this a little more.

    (1)      They are ignorant of the nature of grace, which always leaves a longing for more: “My soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you” (Psalm 63:1). The apostle Peter says, “Now that you have tasted that the Lord is good … come to him, the living Stone” (1 Peter 2:3-4); that is, if you have had any experience of Christ in the Word (which is the case in the context), you will come to him for more. Grace is brought to life by previous experience, not blunted.

    (2)      They are ignorant of the purpose of the Word, which is not only to give us birth but to make the saints mature (see Ephesians 4:12-13). The apostles, when they had founded churches, returned to strengthen the disciples (Acts 14:22). We are to look after growth as well as truth. Now, in case you should think this only applies to newborn babies or to weaker Christians, you will see that mature Christians also need to exercise themselves in this way. The prophets “searched intently” into the writings of other prophets (1 Peter 1:10). Daniel himself, though a prophet and a prophet who had visions, studied the Scriptures: see Daniel 9:2. Even the greatest believers need to pray, meditate, read, and listen in order to preserve the work of grace that has started in their souls. Note in particular Luke 8:18, “Consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him.”

    (3)      They are ignorant about the state of their own hearts. Are there no graces to be perfected and increased, no corruptions to be put to death, no good resolutions to be strengthened? Certainly no one needs ordinances more than those people who do not need them. The spirit is a tender thing. Things that are most delicate are most dependent. Brambles grow by themselves, but the vine needs supports. Wolves and dogs scavenge, but sheep need a pastor. Those who look into their hearts will find two reasons for ordinances.

    First, knowledge is imperfect. It is good to be aware of our own ignorance. No one is so proud and contented as those who know least; “the man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know” (1 Corinthians 8:2). At first truths seem few and quickly learned. In any learning we are humbled with the imperfections of knowledge, and it is the same in divine matters. We see little in the world until we come to be more deeply acquainted with it. “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law” (Psalm 119:18). Then we discern depths and wisdom that we never thought of. The Word is an ocean without bottom or banks. A man may see an end of other things: “To all perfection I see a limit; but your commands are boundless” (Psalm 119:96). We can never exhaust all the treasure that is in the Word.

    Second, affections need to be stirred. Commands need to be repeated to a dull servant, and our will is like that. Live coals need blowing. The apostle Paul says, “For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged” (1 Corinthians 14:31). The apostle specifies the two purposes of prophesy—namely, that we may learn and be comforted.

    Note 3. Everyone. This is a universal duty. No one is exempt from listening and patient learning. Those who know most learn more. Junius was converted through talking with a plowman. A simple layman turned the whole Council of Nicea against Arianism. God may use the meanest things to instruct the greatest. Paul, the great apostle, calls Priscilla and Persis, two women, his “fellow workers in Christ Jesus” (Romans 16:3, 12). Torches are lit many times by a candle, and the most glorious saints benefit from the lowest. Christ taught his disciples through a child: “He called a little child and had him stand among them” (Matthew 18:2). It is proud disdain to scorn the humblest gifts. There may be gold in an earthen jar. There is no one too old, no one too wise, no one too high to be taught. Let everyone … be quick to listen.

    Note4. Be quick. That is, ready. The commendation of duties involves the ready discharge of them. Swiftness includes two things:

    First, freedom of spirit. Do it without being reluctant when you do it. No offerings are accepted by God except those that are freewill offerings: see Psalm 119:108.

    Second, diligence in taking the next opportunity. Do not ignore an opportunity and say, “Another day.” Delay is a sign of unwillingness. In Ezekiel 1 the beasts had four faces and four wings. They had four faces, waiting for the Spirit to come on them, and four wings, ready to fly wherever God sent them. This readiness is shown in three things:

    a.      In curbing all deliberations. “I did not consult any man” (Galatians 1:16). When the soul deliberates about duty, it neglects duty. Do not debate when God commands. The soul is half won over when it starts debating things. In Genesis 2:17 God says, “When you eat of it you will surely die.” Eve repeats this in Genesis 3:3, “You must not eat … or you will die”; and Satan says, “You will not surely die” (verse 4). God affirms, the woman doubts, and Satan denies. It is not good to allow the devil the advantage in a discussion; when you pause over something, Satan works on your hesitancy.

    b.      In setting aside all excuses. Duty would never be done if we gave in to the soul’s every doubt. Peter, as soon as he heard the voice of Christ, threw himself into the sea, while others came by boat (Matthew 14:29); he did not worry about the waves between him and Christ.

    c.      In yielding yourselves up to God’s will without reservation, make no exceptions. The ear and heart must be open for every command. “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:9). He was ready to receive whatever God commanded. Alas, it is otherwise with us, though Christ offers himself to us, as he did to the blind man in Luke 18:41, “What do you want me to do for you?”

    Note5. Quicktolisten. That is, to the Word of God, or else it would be good to be slow to listen. Various things are implied in this precept.

    (1)      It shows how we should value listening. Be glad for an opportunity. The ear means the sense of learning, and so it is of grace; it is that sense that is consecrated to receive the most spiritual dispensations. “How can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?” (Romans 10:14). The Lord began his sermon with, “Hear, O Israel” (Deuteronomy 6:3). When Christ was solemnly declared to be the great prophet of the church, Matthew 17:5 records these words: “This is my Son, whom I love … Listen to him.” Reading is useful, but the voice has a secret influence on the soul because of the link between the external word and inward reason. This is the way the authority and sovereign efficacy of the Spirit are conveyed. The apostle had spoken a great deal about the Word, and then he said, “This is the word that was preached to you” (1 Peter 1:25). It is not the Word read but the Word “preached.” Reading is good in its place; but to neglect listening, pretending that you can read better sermons at home, is a sin.

    (2)      This shows how keen we should be to take every opportunity to hear the Word. If ministers should preach “in season and out of season,” people should listen. People used to travel far for such an opportunity. Matthew 3:5 says, “People went out to hear him [John] from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan.” Some of the places mentioned were thirty miles from Jerusalem.

    (3)      This shows readiness to listen to other people’s understanding of the Word. We should not be puffed up with our own knowledge but must be quick to listen to what others say. It is a great evil to hold other people’s gifts in contempt. No one is so wise that he cannot receive some benefit from the different handling of what he already knows. It is beneficial to observe the breath of the Spirit of God in various instruments.

    (4)      This shows what we should do in Christian meetings. They often degenerate into noise and clamor; we are all quick to speak, but not to listen to one another, and so all our conferences end in confusion, and no good is gained by them. I recall that when a Manichee argued against Augustine and cried out, “Hear me, hear me,” the Father modestly answered, “Neither hear me, nor I thee, but let us both hear the apostle.” When someone cries, “Hear me!” and another, “Hear me!” let us both hear the apostle, and then we shall hear one another. James says, Bequicktolisten,slowto speak.

    Note6. There are many occasions when we must be slow to speak. This clause must also be seen in the light of the context; that is, slow in speaking about the Word of God.

    (1)      This teaches people not to preach the Word until they are furnished with sufficient gifts. John was thirty years old when he first preached (see Luke 3:1); the fifteenth year of Tiberius’ reign was John’s thirtieth year. Everyone longs to be a teacher in Israel. Few wait until thirty years’ experience equips them for so great a task. Tertullian observes that “men usually make much progress in the tents of heresy, and become teachers while they are only just Christians.” He goes on: “they set up young men to teach, that they may win them by honor, when they cannot win them by truth.” Certainly this is a bait that pride quickly swallows. Hasty births do not fill the house but the grave. Men who obtrude themselves too soon in a calling do not edify but destroy. It is good for a while to be slow to speak. Aquinas, when he heard Albertus, was called “the dumb ox” because for a long time he was completely silent.

    (2)      This shows that we should not be too quick in our judgments about doctrines. We should not rashly condemn or defend anything that is contrary to the Word of God. Be slowtospeak; that is, do not speak until you have sure grounds for what you say.

    (3)      We should not be more keen to teach others than we are to learn ourselves. Many are quick to speak but slow to act. Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers (3:1); that is, do not be keen to discipline others when you neglect your own soul.

    (4)      We do not talk about the things of God in an empty way. It is good to take every opportunity, but indiscreet speaking does more harm than silence. “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise” (Proverbs 10:19). “A man of knowledge uses words with restraint” (Proverbs 17:27). Empty vessels sound loudest.

    (5)      This teaches us not to be too quick to speak against the Word. It is good to be dumb at a reproof, though not deaf. Do not let every proud thought be voiced. Guilt recoils against listening to the Word, and the mind is full of ungodly objections. Thoughts may be revised with further information, but words cannot be recalled. Thoughts only stain our own spirits; words taint others. Thoughts are less deliberate than words. With thoughts we sin with our mind only; with words, with our mind and tongue.

    Note7. Renewed men should be slowtobecomeangry. You must understand this in the same way as the other clauses; so it implies that the Word must not be received or delivered with an angry heart. This concerns both listeners and teachers.

    (1)      The teachers. They must be slow to anger in delivering the Word.

    a.      Do not let the Word stem from private anger. Spiritual weapons must not be used in your own cause. The Word is not committed to you for advancing your own interests but Christ’s.

    b.      Do not give yourselves over to your own passions and anger. People easily distinguish between this feigned thunder and divine threatenings.

    (2)      The people. This teaches them to sit patiently under the Word. Do not rise up in arms against a just reproof. This is natural to us, but be slow to do it. Do not yield to your nature. Anger only reveals your own guilt. The children of God are meekest when the Word hits their hearts directly. Bless God for meeting with you in the Word.

    Note8. Anger is curbed by delaying it. Be slowtobecomeangry. Anger does not grow by degrees, like other desires, but at birth she is full grown. “A man’s wisdom gives him patience” (Proverbs 19:11). Many men are like gunpowder. They ignite at the least offense. When people are quick to become angry, they dishonor God and wound their conscience. Later they are sad about the effects of their sudden anger. Athenodorus advised Augustus, when he was overtaken by anger, to repeat the alphabet. This advice was good, as it tended to cool a sudden rage, so that the mind, being distracted, might deliberate later on. Thus, after Theodosius the Great had rashly massacred the citizens of Thessalonica, Ambrose advised him to decree that all people sentenced to death should have their execution deferred until the thirtieth day, so that there might be time for showing mercy if it was necessary. It is a description of God that he is “slow to become angry”; certainly a hasty spirit is most unlike God. Solomon says, “Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools” (Ecclesiastes 7:9).