James 1:19

Ye know this (iste). Or "know this." Probably the perfect active indicative (literary form as in Ephesians 5:5 ; Hebrews 12:17 , unless both are imperative, while in James 4:4 we have oidate, the usual vernacular Koin perfect indicative). The imperative uses only iste and only the context can decide which it is. Esto (let be) is imperative. Swift to hear (tacu ei to akousai). For this use of ei to with the infinitive after an adjective see 1 Thessalonians 4:9 . For ei to after adjectives see Romans 16:19 . The picture points to listening to the word of truth (verse James 1:18 ) and is aimed against violent and disputatious speech (chapter James 3:1-12 ). The Greek moralists often urge a quick and attentive ear. Slow to speak (bradu ei to lalhsai). Same construction and same ingressive aorist active infinitive, slow to begin speaking, not slow while speaking. Slow to anger (bradu ei orghn). He drops the infinitive here, but he probably means that slowness to speak up when angry will tend to curb the anger.