Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - James 1:19 - 1:19
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Ye know this (iste). Or “know this.” Probably the perfect active indicative (literary form as in Eph 5:5; Heb 12:17, unless both are imperative, while in Jam 4:4 we have oidate, the usual vernacular Koiné perfect indicative). The imperative uses only iste and only the context can decide which it is. Esto (let be) is imperative.
Swift to hear (tachus eis to akousai). For this use of eis to with the infinitive after an adjective see 1Th 4:9. For eis to after adjectives see Rom 16:19. The picture points to listening to the word of truth (Jam 1:18) and is aimed against violent and disputatious speech (Jam 3:1-12). The Greek moralists often urge a quick and attentive ear.
Slow to speak (bradus eis to lalēsai). Same construction and same ingressive aorist active infinitive, slow to begin speaking, not slow while speaking.
Slow to anger (bradus eis orgēn). He drops the infinitive here, but he probably means that slowness to speak up when angry will tend to curb the anger.