For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

JAMES 1:20KJV
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James 1:20 (KJV)

What does James 1:20 mean?

James 1:20 teaches that human anger does not produce the kind of goodness or justice that God desires. The verse warns that reacting with wrath does not lead to the righteous life God calls people to live.

James, the brother of Jesus, is writing to early Christians who are facing trials and temptations. He is urging them to be slow to anger, explaining that letting anger take over does not help them live in a way that reflects God’s standards. This verse fits into a larger section about listening well, controlling speech, and responding to difficulties with patience and humility.

The Greek behind James 1:20

  • ὀργή (orgē, "wrath"): This word often means a strong, settled anger or indignation. In this context, it points to a deep, lingering anger rather than a brief irritation.
  • δικαιοσύνη (dikaiosynē, "righteousness"): This word refers to the kind of justice, uprightness, or moral goodness that God values. James is contrasting human anger with the true goodness God wants.
  • κατεργάζεται (katergazetai, "worketh"): This verb means to accomplish, produce, or bring about. James is saying that human anger does not accomplish or result in God’s kind of righteousness.

Why James 1:20 matters

  • James 1:20 clarifies that not all strong feelings or reactions are justified just because someone feels wronged; anger alone does not lead to a life that pleases God.
  • The verse helps explain why James urges believers to be "slow to anger" in the previous verse, showing that quick tempers can get in the way of living out God’s will.
  • Understanding this verse helps readers see the practical wisdom James offers for handling conflict and stress in a way that reflects God’s character, not just human emotion.

Where else these words appear

“worketh” Greek G2716 · used in 23 verses

  • Romans 1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
  • Romans 7:17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
  • 2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

“wrath” Greek G3709 · used in 34 verses

  • Matthew 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
  • Romans 9:22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

“righteousness” Greek G1343 · used in 85 verses

  • Matthew 3:15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
  • Romans 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
  • Ephesians 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)