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James 1:20

New Testament Epistle (General) ASV (1901)

What does James 1:20 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
James 1:20 — American Standard Version

Context — James 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, neither shadow that is cast by turning.
18Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
19Ye know [this], my beloved brethren. But let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
20for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
21Wherefore putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
22But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deluding your own selves.
23For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a mirror:
← James 1:19James 1:21 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.] This is so far from engaging persons to do that which is right and acceptable in the sight of God, that it puts them upon doing that which is evil. The Alexandrian copy reads, “with the wrath of men do not work the righteousness of God”; do not attend upon the word and ordinances of God with a wrathful spirit. Compare, with this, (<540208>1 Timothy 2:8).”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Man's angry zeal in debating, as if jealous for the honor of God's righteousness, is far from working that which is really righteousness in God's sight. True "righteousness is sown in peace," not in wrath (Jam 3:18). The oldest and best reading means "worketh," that is, practiceth not: the received reading is "worketh," produceth not.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God - Does not produce in the life that righteousness which God requires. Its tendency is not to incline us to keep the law, but to break it; not to induce us to embrace the truth, but the opposite. The meaning of this passage is not that our wrath will make God either more or less righteous; but that its tendency is not to produce that upright course of life, and love of truth, which God requires. A man is never sure of doing right under the influence of excited feelings; he may do that which is in the highest sense wrong, and which he will regret all his life. The particular meaning of this passage is, that wrath in the mind of man will…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The righteousness of God here includes all duties prescribed by him, and pleasing to him. James 1:21”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Jam 3:17, Jam 3:18; Num 20:11, Num 20:12; Ti2 2:24, Ti2 2:25 James 1:21”
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Related study paths

Read James 1 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification