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I. LEGISLATION FOR THE EAR. "Be swift to hear."

1. The duty here enjoined is a readiness to listen to the pure, the generous, the true.

2. Teachableness is the state of mind required. This includes —

(1)  Freedom from prejudice.

(2)  Eagerness to learn.

II. LEGISLATION FOR THE TONGUE. "Slow to speak."

1. Evidently he does not mean —

(1)  Unsocial taciturnity.

(2)  A drawling utterance.

2. The slowness of speech he enjoins is that of cautiousness. Because we are in danger of speaking —

(1)  The wrong thing.

(2)  At the wrong time. Jesus often manifested a Divine reserve.

III. LEGISLATION FOR THE TEMPER. "Slow to wrath."

1. Men in this world of evil are in danger of being provoked to wrath.

2. Wrath in no case tends to excellence of character.

IV. LEGISLATION FOR THE LIFE. "Lay apart all filthiness," &c. The summing up of all. It insists upon —

1. Renunciation of all evil.

2. Appropriation of good.

(1)  The thing received. "Ingrafted word." (a) Essential vitality of gospel. (b) Its fitness to human nature.

(2)  The manner of receiving it.

(3)  The reason for receiving it.

(U. R. Thomas.)

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KJV: Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

WEB: So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger;