James 1:27

'This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.'

'This is' -In contrast to. religion that is worthless. But let the reader note that. pure religion is possible for even imperfect people to manifest and follow. Contrary to the claims of those who are critical, there are many Christians who are not hypocritical, who do obey God and do so from pure motives.

'pure and undefiled religion' -"Pure"-'genuine' (Thayer p. 312). "Undefiled"-'free from contamination' (Vine p. 168).

'in the sight of our God and Father' -What is pure religion in the estimation of God, pure religion from God's viewpoint. Which is the only viewpoint which matters (1 Timothy 2:3). "Father"-If we worship God, who is our Father, while we ourselves are heartless and merciless to those that need us…we should be able to see there is something wrong in our worship.

'to visit' -'primarily to inspect (to look upon, care for, exercise oversight)' (Vine p. 190); to go see, visit someone, also with the connotation of care: look after widows and orphans in their distress.' (Arndt p. 298). In the present tense for having the habit of going to see. 'James strikes. downright blow here at ministry by proxy, or by mere gifts of money. Pure and undefiled religion demands "personal contact" with the world's sorrows: to visit the afflicted, and to visit them in their affliction.' (Vincent p. 736)

'orphans' -bereft of father or parents. In the O.T., God stressed caring for the fatherless and the widows (Exodus 2:22; Deuteronomy 14:29; Deuteronomy 16:11; Deuteronomy 24:17; Deuteronomy 24:19; Deuteronomy 26:12; Deuteronomy 28:19). God also portrayed Himself as the protector and defender of those who are vulnerable (Deuteronomy 10:18; Psalms 68:5 'a father of the fatherless and. judge of the widows'; James 146:9.. sign of repentance was to help the fatherless (Isaiah 2:17; Zechariah 2:10).

'in their distress' -'difficult circumstances' (Arndt p. 362). That is, we are to help them when they "need" the help and not wait until it is too late. Carefully note that true religion does have an outward expression. Some try to argue that there is no outward expression, rather, what matters is the faith within the heart. God here picks out two categories, this isn't an exhaustive list or definition of pure religion (Galatians 5:19), rather they are practical examples.

'and to keep oneself' -'watch over, preserve, keep' (Vine p. 287); 'present active infinitive, "to keep on keeping oneself" (Robertson p. 26). What an encouraging statement!. don't have to be in bondage to my own selfish desires,. don't have to be. slave to the world's values! (1 Timothy 5:22; 1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Timothy 4:17; 1 John 5:18; Judges 1:21 'keep yourselves in the love of God').

'unstained' -'free from vice, unsullied' (Thayer p. 81)

'by the world' -society which is in opposition to God (John 15:19; James 4:4; 1 John 2:15; 1 John 5:19).

Points To Note:

1. Even non-Christians can see that the "world" can stain and corrupt people. History is filled with examples of where people with such promise and ideals ended up to be corrupt and no different from the "world" they were trying to reform. 2. In the context one of the best ways to stop being "worldly" is to start thinking about the needs of someone besides yourself. Too many Christians try to avoid being worldly by living in isolation, or by. purely negative form of Christianity (I'm not doing this, I'm not doing that).

Closing Comments:

James 1:27 has been at the heart of the institutional debate, as to whether the local congregation can build and maintain human institutions, such as orphan homes and old folks homes.

1. First of all,. believe that most can see that the command is to the individual Christian. The same person who is to keep himself unspotted from the world is the same person who is to visit the orphans and widows. The verse also suggests personal involvement and not merely. religion by proxy or check. The work of the individual Christian isn't identical with the work of the local congregation (Matthew 18:15; 1 Timothy 5:16).

2. The local congregation could and did support Christian widows (Acts 6:1; 1 Timothy 5:16), but we never find the local congregation assisting or caring for the physical needs of non-Christians.

3. There is. difference between. congregation buying. service and owning or operating. secular enterprise. The local congregation can pay the bills for. widow, or buy food for. Christian family in need, but neither would authorize the local church owning and operating. grocery store, etc…

4. Orphan homes are well as any other brotherhood human organizational usually ends up violating congregational autonomy, even those overseen by. single eldership. For they often appeal for funds outside of that local congregation. In the New Testament, one congregation could give funds to another congregation, only when that congregation had more need that it could take care of (2 Corinthians 8:12). To solicit funds from other congregations, when the congregation professing "need" has plenty of money for other projects, would be. violation of Scripture.

5. The Eldership of. local congregation is authorized to shepherd that congregation (1 Peter 5:2). It is quite. stretch to have this same eldership shepherding an organization in addition to the local congregation, an organization that may contain many non-Christians.

6. Many orphan homes actually hinder the Christian from fulfilling James 1:27. in that they hinder such orphans from being adopted into real homes. It is sad that such an issue split many congregations, when the "need" could have been completely cared for in. Scriptural manner. With all the couples wanting to adopt children, such. institution finds itself actually hindering God's purposes.

7. Arguing that James 1:27 authorizes the local congregation to build and establish or contribute to. human agency established by "brethren", would mean that the local congregation is also authorized to build. Missionary Society (Matthew 28:19); hospitals, clothing and grocery stores, and so on (Matthew 25:36).