James 1:21 kjv

Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

James 1:21 nkjv

Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

James 1:21 niv

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

James 1:21 esv

Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

James 1:21 nlt

So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.

James 1 verses

James 1 21 Meaning

James 1:21 outlines a two-fold call to the believer for spiritual growth and ultimate salvation: first, to actively rid oneself of all moral impurity and excessive wickedness; and second, to humbly and receptively welcome the Word of God, which has the power to deliver one's inner being. This verse connects ethical purification directly with the transformative power of God's truth, leading to salvation.

James 1 21 Context

James 1:21 comes at a crucial point in the first chapter of James's letter. Chapters 1:1-18 discuss the testing of faith and the source of temptation (from within, not God), establishing that God is good and the giver of every good and perfect gift, including spiritual birth by the "word of truth" (v. 18). Verses 1:19-20 then lead into 1:21 by emphasizing the need for quick hearing, slow speaking, and slow wrath, as human wrath does not produce God's righteousness. Therefore, verse 21 serves as a practical application stemming from these preceding truths: given God's truth brings life, one must prepare their heart by purging sin to receive this life-giving Word. It acts as a bridge to James's emphasis on "doing the Word" in the subsequent verses (1:22-25), demonstrating genuine faith through actions rather than mere passive hearing. Historically, this counsel was vital for early Jewish Christians, grappling with both their inherited traditions and the temptations of the surrounding Greco-Roman world, where ethical laxity often accompanied philosophical or religious pursuits. James directly addresses superficial adherence to faith, challenging believers to embrace a radical transformation that affects both internal disposition and external behavior.

James 1 21 Word analysis

• Therefore (Greek: διὸ, dio): This adverb signals a logical consequence or transition. It connects the ethical demands of verse 21 to the preceding verses, especially the command to be "swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath" (v. 19), and the understanding that God's truth brings forth life (v. 18). It underscores that moral purity is a necessary precondition for the reception of divine truth, especially in contrast to human anger which does not produce righteousness (v. 20).

• lay aside (Greek: ἀποθέμενοι, apothemenoi): A participle, literally meaning "having put off" or "stripped away." This implies a decisive, intentional act of discarding something, like removing dirty clothes (similar usage in Eph 4:22 and Col 3:8 for putting off the old self). It is an active purging, not a passive abandonment. This emphasizes human responsibility in sanctification.

• all filthiness (Greek: πᾶσαν ῥυπαρίαν, pasan rhyparian): Pasan means "all" or "every kind of," indicating a comprehensive removal. Rhyparian refers to "moral uncleanness," "impurity," or "squalor." It's not just outward dirt but pervasive moral defilement that renders a person unfit for God's presence or for receiving His pure Word.

• and overflow (Greek: καὶ περισσείαν, kai perisseian): Perisseian means "abundance," "excess," or "residue." This could suggest an overwhelming flood of wickedness that characterizes unregenerate life, or it could refer to the residual, stubborn vices that cling to a person even after initial purification. The latter aligns well with the context of progressive sanctification.

• of wickedness (Greek: κακίας, kakias): This is a broad term for "moral evil," "malice," or "depravity." Combined with "overflow," it describes the complete and pervasive nature of sin's corruption in a person's life before true spiritual transformation.

• and receive (Greek: καὶ δέξασθε, kai dexasthe): An imperative verb, commanding an action of reception. Dexasthe means to "welcome," "accept," or "take into one's possession" with favor and an open mind. This is an active and eager acceptance, distinct from mere intellectual assent.

• with meekness (Greek: ἐν πραΰτητι, en prautēti): Prautēti (meekness or gentleness) denotes humility, teachability, and a gentle submissiveness to God's will and His Word. It's not weakness, but a strength under control, a surrendered spirit necessary for spiritual understanding and growth, particularly when God's Word may challenge one's preconceived notions or sinful desires (e.g., Num 12:3 for Moses' meekness).

• the implanted word (Greek: τὸν ἔμφυτον λόγον, ton emphuton logon): Emphuton means "inborn," "innate," or "engrafted/implanted." This powerfully portrays the Word of God as something sown, rooted, or grafted into the heart by God, perhaps initiated at spiritual rebirth (James 1:18, "word of truth") and continuing its work as believers yield to it. It implies an internal, organic growth, not an external, superficial application. Logon (Word) refers to the divine message, the gospel, or the full counsel of God.

• which is able (Greek: τὸν δυνάμενον, ton dynamenon): Dynamenon indicates inherent power or capability. This emphasizes the efficacy of God's Word. Its power does not derive from human intellect or will, but from its divine source.

• to save (Greek: σῶσαι, sōsai): To "rescue," "deliver," "preserve," or "make whole." Here, it points to comprehensive salvation – both from the guilt and power of sin, leading to eternal life. It includes present deliverance from sin's dominion and future ultimate salvation.

• your souls (Greek: τὰς ψυχὰς ὑμῶν, tas psychas hymōn): Psychas refers to the inner life, the very core of a person's being—their mind, will, and emotions. The salvation promised by the implanted Word penetrates to the deepest part of the individual, signifying spiritual transformation and eternal well-being (e.g., Ps 19:7).

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness": This phrase functions as a call to repentance and sanctification. It emphasizes a complete purging of internal moral corruption and the pervasive sinful nature. The urgency implies that such a spiritual decluttering is foundational and a prerequisite for genuine reception of divine truth. It's an active purging process of sin that contaminates the heart and obstructs spiritual receptivity.
  • "and receive with meekness the implanted word": This describes the posture and act of genuine faith. It is not enough to discard evil; one must actively and humbly embrace the Word of God. "Meekness" (teachability, gentleness) is critical here, as it denotes a humble receptivity, especially important when the Word convicts or demands challenging obedience. "Implanted word" signifies God's direct work of sowing His truth within a person, allowing it to take root and grow.
  • "which is able to save your souls": This highlights the ultimate purpose and power of the "implanted word." It reveals that salvation, understood broadly as comprehensive spiritual deliverance and wholeness, is the inherent capacity and intended outcome of genuinely receiving and nurturing God's truth within one's life. The Word of God possesses divine power to effect spiritual transformation and eternal deliverance.

James 1 21 Bonus section

The phrase "overflow of wickedness" (perisseian kakias) could be interpreted in a few ways. Some scholars suggest it points to "remnant" or "leftover" wickedness, implying sins that are not immediately evident but still linger within. Others view it as the abundant, sprawling manifestation of human depravity. Both interpretations underscore the need for a thorough and comprehensive moral cleansing. This verse also implicitly criticizes those who hear the Word without any real transformation (addressed directly in James 1:22), emphasizing that a mere intellectual hearing or religious participation without prior cleansing and humble reception is ultimately futile. The "implanted word" suggests a dynamic, organic process of spiritual growth that aligns with other New Testament themes of bearing fruit and being rooted in Christ. The saving power of the Word here encompasses sanctification (deliverance from the power of sin) as well as justification (deliverance from sin's penalty) and ultimately glorification.

James 1 21 Commentary

James 1:21 is a powerful call to radical personal purification and humble receptivity to God's Word. It instructs believers to actively strip away every vestige of moral defilement and the pervasive nature of sin ("filthiness and overflow of wickedness"). This isn't merely external behavior modification but a deep-seated purging of inner malice and impurity that would otherwise choke the seeds of divine truth. This intentional cleansing is presented as a necessary precursor to truly "receive" God's Word. The reception must be marked by "meekness," a humble, gentle, and teachable spirit that yields to the Word's authority and truth, even when it confronts personal pride or established ways. The "implanted word" speaks of a divinely sown, deeply rooted truth within the believer, perhaps initiating at conversion (James 1:18) but requiring continuous nourishment. This Word possesses inherent, divine power—it is "able to save your souls," meaning it brings about comprehensive deliverance and wholeness for the entire person, encompassing present spiritual vitality and future eternal life. It summarizes the profound connection between ethical transformation, spiritual receptivity, and the life-giving power of God's revealed truth.

Examples for practical usage:

• Confessing and repenting of pride or stubbornness to allow biblical teaching to genuinely change one's perspective on service.
• Actively letting go of resentment towards others so that teachings on forgiveness can take root and bring healing to one's heart.
• Consciously setting aside the constant pursuit of worldly gain to allow time and focus for meditation on God's commands and promises.