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Living Out the Message

19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters![a] Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger. 20 For human[b] anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.[c] 21 So put away all filth and evil excess and humbly[d] welcome the message implanted within you, which is able to save your souls.

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Footnotes

  1. James 1:19 tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:2.
  2. James 1:20 tn The word translated “human” here is ἀνήρ (anēr), which often means “male” or “man (as opposed to woman).” But it sometimes is used generically to mean “anyone,” “a person” (cf. BDAG 79 s.v. 2), and in this context, contrasted with “God’s righteousness,” the point is “human” anger (not exclusively “male” anger).
  3. James 1:20 sn God’s righteousness could refer to (1) God’s righteous standard, (2) the righteousness God gives, (3) righteousness before God, or (4) God’s eschatological righteousness (see P. H. Davids, James [NIGTC], 93, for discussion).
  4. James 1:21 tn Or “with meekness.”

19 So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man doesn’t produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore, putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with humility the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. 1:21 or, preserve your life.