James 1:21

Wherefore (dio). Because of this principle. See Ephesians 4:25 . Putting away (apoqemenoi). Second aorist middle participle of apotiqhmi, to put off, metaphor of removing clothing as in Romans 13:12 ; Colossians 3:8 ; Ephesians 4:22 Ephesians 4:25 ; 1 Peter 2:1 . Filthiness (ruparian). Late word (Plutarch) from ruparo, dirty ( James 2:2 ), here only in N.T. Surely a dirty garment. Overflowing of wickedness (perisseian kakia). Perisseia is a late word (from perisso, abundant, exceeding), only four times in N.T., in 2 Corinthians 8:2 with cara (of joy), in Romans 5:17 with carito (of grace). Kakia (from kako, evil) can be either general like ruparia (filthiness, naughtiness), or special like "malice." But any of either sense is a "superfluity." With meekness (en prathti). In docility. "The contrast is with orgh rather than kakia" (Ropes). The implanted word (ton emputon logon). This old verbal adjective (from empuw to implant, to grow in), only here in N.T., meaning properly ingrown, inborn, not emputeuton (engrafted). It is "the rooted word" (verse Romans 18 ), sown in the heart as the soil or garden of God ( Matthew 13:3-23 ; Matthew 15:13 ; 1 Corinthians 3:6 ). Able to save (dunamenon swsai). Cf. 1 Peter 1:9 ; James 2:14 ; James 4:12 ; James 5:20 ; Romans 1:16 . Ultimate salvation (effective aorist active infinitive swsai from swzw).