Swift to Hear, Slow to Speak,

Slow to Wrath

Mike Johnson

In James 1:19, James addresses his “beloved brethren” and gives a very important admonition.  The verse  says, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”

Contextually, this exhortation seems to refer particularly to our disposition toward God’s Word (1:18, 21, 22).  We are to be swift (quick/speedy) to listen to God’s Word.  God’s Word is to be heard 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 speak back or show displeasure at the teaching of God’s Word.   Further, it is hard for anyone to learn while they are talking.   The text also says that we are to be slow to wrath.  A person whose disposition is characterized by anger is generally not very receptive to the truth, and it is hard for a person to listen to God when he is full of wrath and bitterness.  So we are to be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath with regard to 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 that the person was not listening?  I am sure that this has happened to most everyone.  Perhaps we have been guilty ourselves of being quick to speak and slow to listen, instead of being quick to listen and slow to speak.  It is very important for us to be good listeners so we can gain knowledge and wisdom.

There have been many maxims in different societies  which 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 ancient expression was, “The ears are always open, every 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.”  A person named Xenocrates was once reproached by others, and he met their reproach with a profound silence.  Someone asked him why he was silent, he replied, “I have sometimes had occasion to regret that I have spoken, never that I was silent.”  A maxim that many are probably familiar with says, “Speech is silver, silence is golden.”

There are various Bible passages which speak of the tongue in a similar way as James 1:19.  Proverbs 10:19 says, “In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin; but he that refraineth his lips is wise.”  Proverbs 17:28, says, “Even a fool when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise . . . .”

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 anger stay with us, and does our anger lead to other sins?  We certainly should not be quick to anger;  we should not go around ready to “explode.”  Proverbs 16:32 says, “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.”

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