Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
Wherefore—as your evil is of yourselves, but your good from God. However, the oldest manuscripts and versions read thus: "YE KNOW IT (so Ephesians 5:5; Hebrews 12:17), my beloved brethren; BUT (consequently) let every man be swift to hear," that is, docile in receiving "the word of truth" (James 1:18, James 1:21). The true method of hearing is treated in James 1:21-27, and Jam. 2:1-26.
slow to speak— (Proverbs 10:19; Proverbs 17:27-28; Ecclesiastes 5:2). A good way of escaping one kind of temptation arising from ourselves (James 1:13). Slow to speak authoritatively as a master or teacher of others (compare James 3:1): a common Jewish fault: slow also to speak such hasty things of God, as in James 1:13. Two ears are given to us, the rabbis observe, but only one tongue: the ears are open and exposed, whereas the tongue is walled in behind the teeth.
slow to wrath— (James 3:13-14; James 4:5). Slow in becoming heated by debate: another Jewish fault (Romans 2:8), to which much speaking tends. TITTMANN thinks not so much "wrath" is meant, as an indignant feeling of fretfulness under the calamities to which the whole of human life is exposed; this accords with the "divers temptations" in James 1:2. Hastiness of temper hinders hearing God's word; so Naaman, II Kings 5:11; Luke 4:28.
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing James 1:19:
Proverbs 12:16
Proverbs 18:21
Proverbs 21:28
James 1:21
James 2:12
DISCLAIMER: Church of the Great God (CGG) provides these resources to aid the individual in studying the Bible. However, it is up to the individual to "prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21). The content of these resources does not necessarily reflect the views of CGG. They are provided for information purposes only.