Those born of God’s word ought to be quick to hear (Matthew 11:15; 13:9). The Bereans show us how to do this (Acts 17:11) and Cornelius, with his friends and family, waited to hear the word (Acts 10:24, 30-33). We should be ready to carry out God’s wishes, especially because God’s word is truth and is able to set us free (John 17:17; 8:32). Hearing the word produces the faith necessary to please God (Romans 10:17; Hebrews 11:7). Failing to hear endangers the soul (Matthew 13:15; Proverbs 28:9; 3 John 9-12).
We should be "slow to speak", which Roberts suggests is in response to God’s word. Later, James is going to talk about wars among the brethren (4:1), which may have been caused by contentions over the truth. The Corinthians all wanted to speak at once and caused confusion that prohibited learning (1 Corinthians 14:26-33).
Then, James says to be "slow to wrath" (James 1:19). Some hear the truth and become enraged by it, like those who heard Stephen (Acts 7:54-60). Jehoiakim responded to truth by cutting the pages and throwing them in the fire (Jeremiah 36:20-23). Elymus Bar-Jesus was blinded for a season because he refuted God’s word (Acts 13:4-13). Paul said those who refused to follow his instructions, as given by inspiration, be withdrawn from (2 Thessalonians 3:12-14).
Men uncontrollably angry are not ready to receive God’s truth (Micah 6:8). James is here speaking of the "wrath of man,” or personal anger. Righteous indignation is sometimes needed (Mark 3:5). We must learn to control our anger so that we do not sin (James 1:20; Ephesians 4:26-27).
We must prepare our hearts to receive God’s word instead of allowing anger to boil over uncontrolled from our hearts. We must put aside the clothing stained with the stinking dirt of sin, or filthiness and sweep clean the heart that has been bubbling over with evil, or the overflow of wickedness (James 1:21).
The heart should then be filled with good (Matthew 12:43-45). So, James says to receive the "implanted word,” like seed that has taken root and begun to grow. The seed is God’s word and grows best in the soil of a receptive heart (Luke 8:11-15). It must be received in meekness to really take root and grow. This must be done with a submissive spirit ready to hear of needed changes and make them.
The word is only able to save if we hear and do what we hear (Matthew 7:21-27; Romans 2:13). "Doers" denotes a continuous action. We are deceived when we think we only need to hear the truth. That hearing must produce a faith that acts (James 1:22; Romans 10:17; Hebrews 11:6).
A person who looks in a mirror to check his appearance and then goes away without correcting the problems he sees is like one who only hears. “Looks” means "to stoop and look.” This man carefully examines himself intending to correct every flaw.
Moses’ law was unable to offer liberty or bring imperfect man to perfection (Galatians 5:1; Hebrews 8:8). Men can be made perfect in Christ (Hebrews 7:19; Colossians 1:28). Christ’s law offers true freedom from condemnation (Romans 8:1-6), thus it is the perfect law of liberty (James 1:23-25).
True hearers will demonstrate a religion that is more than outward. They will control their tongue, otherwise they will have a religion that is empty, worthless (James 1:26). The religion of a true hearer is displayed in active concern for the needy. The God-like one must especially care for the needs of the fatherless and widows (Psalm 68:5). “Visit" refers to attending to the needs of the one visited (Colossians 3:12; Galatians 6:10; 1 John 3:17; and Matthew 25:31-46). Pure religion is further demonstrated by keeping ourselves separate from the world’s vices (James 1:27).
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