James 1:19

“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…”

“Wherefore--as your evil is of yourselves, but your good from God. However, the oldest manuscripts and versions read thus: "YE KNOW IT (so Eph 5:5; Heb 12:17), my beloved brethren; BUT (consequently) let every man be swift to hear," that is, docile in receiving "the word of truth" (Jam 1:18, Jam 1:21). The true method of hearing is treated in Jam 1:21-27, and Jam. 2:1-26. slow to speak-- (Pro 10:19; Pro 17:27-28; Ecc 5:2). A good way of escaping one kind of temptation arising from ourselves (Jam 1:13). Slow to speak authoritatively as a master or teacher of others (compare Jam 3:1): a common Jewish fault: slow also to speak such hasty things of God, as in Jam 1:13. Two ears are given to us,…”

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren - The connection is this: “since God is the only source of good; since he tempts no man; and since by his mere sovereign goodness, without any claim on our part, we have had the high honor conferred on us of being made the first-fruits of his creatures, we ought to be ready to hear his voice, to subdue all our evil passions, and to bring our souls to entire practical obedience.” The necessity of obedience, or the doctrine that the gospel is not only to be learned but practiced, is pursued at length in this and the following chapter. The particular statement here James 1:19-21 is, that religion requires us to be meek and docile; to lay aside all irritability…”

“Let every man be swift to hear - This is treated of from Jam 1:21 to the end of the next chapter. Slow to speak - Which is treated of in he third chapter. Slow to wrath - Neither murmuring at God, nor angry at his neighbour. This is treated of in the third, and throughout the fourth and fifth chapters. James 1:20”

“let: Neh 8:2, Neh 8:3, Neh 8:12-14, Neh 8:18, Neh 9:3; Pro 8:32-35; Ecc 5:1; Mar 2:2, Mar 12:37; Luk 15:1; Luk 19:48; Act 2:42, Act 10:33, Act 13:42-44, Act 13:48, Act 17:11; Th1 2:13 slow to speak: Jam 1:26, Jam 3:1, Jam 3:2; Pro 10:19, Pro 13:3, Pro 15:2, Pro 17:27, Pro 18:13, Pro 18:21, Pro 21:23; Ecc 5:2, Ecc 5:3 slow to wrath: Neh 9:17; Pro 14:17, Pro 14:29, Pro 15:18, Pro 16:32, Pro 17:14, Pro 19:11, Pro 19:19, Pro 25:28; Ecc 7:8, Ecc 7:9; Mat 5:22; Gal 5:20, Gal 5:21; Eph 4:26, Eph 4:31; Col 3:8, Col 3:15 James 1:20”