Bible Strands
James 1:20
for man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — James addresses his "beloved brothers" immediately after commanding them to be slow to anger in James 1:19, providing the theological rationale for that instruction within his broader ethical exhortation.
The words — ὀργὴ (orgē) translates to anger, and ἐργάζεται (ergazetai) means "works" or "produces," forming the literal claim that human anger fails to produce the outcome God requires.
The thread — This theme of restrained anger and its moral limits appears in the warning to not let anger lead to sin in Ephesians 4:26, the command for a Lord's servant to avoid quarreling in 2 Timothy 2:24, and the description of heavenly wisdom as peace-loving and gentle in James 3:17.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to recognize that human anger is functionally useless for achieving divine righteousness and must be replaced by the humble acceptance of God's word outlined in the following verse.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
Cross-references
- 2 Timothy 2:24 And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing.
- Ephesians 4:26 “Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun set upon your anger,
- James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.
- Numbers 20:11 Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with his staff, so that a great amount of water gushed out, and the congregation and their livestock were able to drink.