• James 1:21
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 21 διὸ Through which ἀποθέμενοι having put away from selves πᾶσαν every ῥυπαρίαν filthiness καὶ and περισσείαν abundance κακίας of badness ἐν in πραΰτητι mildness δέξασθε receive YOU τὸν the ἔμφυτον implanted λόγον word τὸν the (one) δυνάμενον being able σῶσαι to save τὰς the ψυχὰς souls ὑμῶν. of YOU.

  • James 1:21
    The Emphasized Bible

    • 21 Wherefore putting away all filthiness and overflow of baseness In meekness welcome ye the word fitted for inward growth which is able to save your souls:

  • James 1:21
    King James Version

    • 21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

  • James Study Notes—Chapter 1
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

    • 1:21

      put away all filthiness: The Greek word rendered “filthiness,” according to one reference work, “may literally denote something dirty, or soiled, for example filthy clothes.” (Compare Jas 2:2, where a related word is used in the phrase “a poor man in filthy clothing.”) Figuratively, the word can refer to corruption, moral uncleanness, or vulgar speech. James exhorts Christians to “put away all filthiness,” that is, everything that is disgusting and offensive from God’s viewpoint.​—2Co 7:1; 1Pe 1:14-16; 1Jo 1:9.

      the implanting of the word: James now introduces another agricultural metaphor​—that of planting a seed in a field. He likens Jehovah’s word to a seed planted in a person’s heart. In order for the seed to take root in him, he must “put away” what is bad. Only then can the truth of God’s Word become part of him, stabilizing his faith in God and helping him to avoid deviating from Jehovah’s righteous ways. (Col 2:6, 7 and study notes) The expression “the implanting of the word” can refer to the way in which a person first hears God’s word; however, this process is ongoing as the person continues to take in more of God’s truths. He needs to accept the word with mildness because a mild, humble, and yielding attitude makes him teachable. (Ac 17:11, 12; 1Th 2:13) When he responds to “the implanting of the word,” God’s message “is able to save” his life, as James says.

      you: Or “your souls.”​—See Glossary, “Soul.”