Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
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; I Peter 2:1.
Filthiness (ruparian). Late word (Plutarch) from ruparov, dirty (James 2:2), here only in N.T. Surely a dirty garment.
Overflowing of wickedness (perisseian kakiav). Perisseia is a late word (from perissov, abundant, exceeding), only four times in N.T., in II Corinthians 8:2 with xarav (of joy), in Romans 5:17 with xaritov (of grace). Kakia (from kakov, evil) can be either general like ruparia (filthiness, naughtiness), or special like "malice." But any of either sense is a "superfluity."
With meekness (en prauthti). In docility. "The contrast is with orgh rather than kakiav" (Ropes).
The implanted word (ton emfuton logon). This old verbal adjective (from emfuw to implant, to grow in), only here in N.T., meaning properly ingrown, inborn, not emfuteuton (engrafted). It is "the rooted word" (verse James 1:18), sown in the heart as the soil or garden of God (Mat. 13:3-23; Matthew 15:13; I Corinthians 3:6).
Able to save (dunamenon swsai). Cf. I Peter 1:9; James 2:14; James 4:12; James 5:20; Romans 1:16. Ultimate salvation (effective aorist active infinitive swsai from swzw).
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing James 1:21:
Acts 20:32
James 2:12
James 3:1
James 3:13
1 Peter 2:1
Revelation 22:11
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