James resorts now to another illustration. God’s Word is not only a gift but also a graft. James speaks of “the engrafted word.” When we accept God’s Word at its face value, it will change our conduct, and our conversation by changing our character. James says that we should be swift to respond to speaking: “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear” (1:19a). This is a lesson that Peter had to learn on the Mount of Transfiguration.
James 1:19–20