The Wrath of Man

In James 1:29 we receive a three-fold exhortation concerning right relations with other people – “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” Verse 20 then adds an explanation for the Biblical exhortation that we should be “slow to wrath” – “For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” This truth is presented as an explanation of warning, in order to motivate us to follow the exhortation to be “slow to wrath.” Grammatically, this verse provides a contrast between “the wrath of man” and “the righteousness of God,” a contrast that turns on the negative verb “worketh not.” Indeed, “the wrath of man” (or, selfish wrath) and “the righteousness of God” are never in union with one another; for “the righteousness of God” is never produced through “the wrath of man.” Rather, “the wrath of man” (or, selfish wrath) always moves in opposition to “the righteousness of God.” Even so, this explanation warns us against the practice of selfish wrath in our lives. Let us then consider the problem of selfish wrath and the product of selfish wrath.

1. The Problem of selfish wrath.

2. The Product of selfish wrath.