Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary James 1:20

"for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God." — James 1:20 (ASV)

“For” indicates that this verse gives the reasoning that lies behind the last exhortation. One’s anger does not produce “the righteous life that God desires.” An angry attitude is not the atmosphere in which righteousness flourishes. James stresses this from the positive side when he later says, “Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness” (3:18).