James 1:20 (GNV)

Passage

For the wrath of man doeth not accomplish the righteousnesse of God.

Nearby Context

James 1:18 Of his owne will begate hee vs with the woorde of trueth, that we shoulde be as the first fruites of his creatures.

James 1:19 Wherefore my deare brethren, let euery man be swift to heare, slowe to speake, and slowe to wrath.

James 1:20 For the wrath of man doeth not accomplish the righteousnesse of God.

James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthinesse, and superfluitie of maliciousnesse, and receiue with meekenes the word that is graffed in you, which is able to saue your soules.

James 1:22 And be ye doers of the word, and not hearers onely, deceiuing your owne selues.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "wrath", "doeth", "accomplish", and "righteousnesse". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "wrath" and "doeth", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 19's "Wherefore my deare brethren let euery man..." into verse 21's "Wherefore lay apart all filthinesse and superfluitie...", so "wrath" and "doeth" belong inside that flow. In James context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "wrath" and "doeth" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.