James 1:19-20

¹⁹ So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;

²⁰ for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

When under trial from God, or under temptation to evil from man, the wisdom of verse 5 will discipline the heart to be swift to hear, slow to murmur, and slow to rebel; for the anger and irritation of the natural heart do not produce anything that God accepts as righteous. — Williams, page 993.

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Hearing is the attitude of true faith, ever listening to that which God speaks in His Word; then slow to speak, because speech gives expression to what we are; and it needs caution not to let the old nature express itself; and slow to wrath, which is the flesh. — Gaebelein, page 1128.

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James admonishes these brethren that they were to put away all wrath, moral defilements, and wickedness. As citizens of the kingdom who were now walking in the light, they were to yield themselves to the implanted Word. Not only were they saved by the Word of God, they were to make an application of it in their lives. As David said: “They Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee” (Psalm 119:11). It alone was able to deliver their souls from anger, bitterness, hatred, and the burning desire to retaliate against those who were persecuting them. — Sadler, page 54.

Verse 20 gives the reason for the admonition in v.19.