James 1:20

20 Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.

James 1:20 Meaning and Commentary

James 1:20

For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
] This is so far from engaging persons to do that which is right and acceptable in the sight of God, that it puts them upon doing that which is evil. The Alexandrian copy reads, "with the wrath of men do not work the righteousness of God"; do not attend upon the word and ordinances of God with a wrathful spirit. Compare, with this, ( 1 Timothy 2:8 ) .

James 1:20 In-Context

18 He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.

19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.

20 Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.

21 So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.

22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

Footnotes

• [a] Greek A man’s anger.
• [b] Or the justice.