1:19

Everyone must be quick to listen, slow to speak: James here reflects principles from the Hebrew Scriptures about the need to listen carefully and to be cautious when speaking. Failure to listen often leads a person to speak rashly, which may damage his relationships with others and with God. (Le 5:4; Pr 10:19; 15:28; 17:27; 18:13; Heb 2:1; Jas 1:26; 3:1-12) In the following verses (Jas 1:21, 23), James urges his fellow believers to listen carefully to and apply God’s word, or message, in day-to-day life. Since Jehovah is the Source of instruction, God’s people need to read his Word with reverence, eager to understand it correctly. (Job 36:22; Ps 119:102) The Greek word rendered “listen” can carry the sense of obeying, a point that James goes on to develop in verses 22-25. A person who is “slow to speak” would not be quick to argue against divine instruction, even if he did not immediately understand or appreciate it.​—1Ti 1:7.

slow to anger: James here echoes a number of Scriptural warnings about the dangers of unbridled anger in imperfect humans. (Ps 37:8; Pr 15:18) Jehovah himself is “slow to anger.” (Ex 34:6; Ps 103:8) And when he does express anger, he does so in a perfect, just way; he is never hasty or harsh. (Compare Jer 30:11.) In contrast, when humans are driven by anger, they are likely to commit impulsive acts. Such deeds often do more harm than good. (Pr 14:29; 25:28) As James goes on to warn in verse 20, “man’s anger does not bring about God’s righteousness.” (Compare study note on Ro 12:19.) The Hebrew Scriptures contain vivid examples of men who were driven by anger to commit terrible sins​—or who came dangerously close to doing so.​—Ge 34:25, 26; 49:5-7; 1Sa 25:12, 13, 32-34.