Swift to Hear, Slow to Speak, Slow to Wrath

 Mike Johnson

In James 1:19, James addresses his “beloved brethren” and gives a vital warning. The verse says, “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.“

Contextually, this appeal seems to refer mainly to our disposition toward God’s Word (1:18, 21, 22). We are to be swift (quick/speedy) to listen to God’s Word. We are to hear God’s Word with eagerness; we are to listen to it with an attentive mind. We are also to be slow to speak, i.e., slow to begin speaking. We are not to talk back or show displeasure at the teaching of God’s Word.

Further, it is hard for anyone to learn while talking. The text also says that we are to be slow to wrath. An angry person generally is not very receptive to the truth, and it is hard for a person to listen to God when he is full of anger and bitterness. Thus, we are to be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath concerning hearing God’s Word.

The principles of James 1:19 about hearing and speaking would also apply in a more general way. Have you ever engaged in a conversation with a person who would hardly let you get a word in, and when you did say something, you would get the feeling the person was not listening? I am sure this has happened to most everyone. Perhaps we have been guilty ourselves of being quick to speak and slow to hear, rather than ready to listen and slow to speak. We need to be good listeners so we can gain knowledge and wisdom.

There have been many maxims in different societies that express the idea of being slow to speak and quick to hear. In ancient times, for example, it was said, “Men have two ears, and one tongue, that they should hear more than they speak.” Another old expression was, “The ears are always open, ever ready to receive instruction, but the tongue is surrounded with a double row of teeth, to hedge it in, and to keep it within proper bounds.” Many years ago, a man was reproached and chose to remain silent. Someone asked him why, and he replied, “I have sometimes had to regret that I have spoken, never that I was silent.” A maxim many are probably familiar with says, “Speech is silver, silence is golden.”

Various Bible passages speak of the tongue in a similar way as James 1:19. Proverbs 10:19 says, “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise.” Proverbs 17:28 says, “Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; when he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.” Proverbs 29:20 has these words of wisdom: “Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” 

Today, in all areas, we must be slow to wrath. Anger itself is not wrong (Eph. 4:26). The real question is how we handle our anger. Do we let rage, which will lead to other sins, stay with us? We should not be quick to anger; we should not go around ready to “explode.” Proverbs 16:32 says, “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.“

We need to make sure that we follow the commandment in James 1:19: be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath.