James 1:27

If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. An example of doing work. Verse 26. RELIGIOUS ... RELIGION, [ threeskos (G2357) - threeskeia (G2356)] - express the external service of religion, 'godliness' being the internal soul. James, as president of the council at Jerusalem (Acts 15:13), had decided against ritualism. So here he adds, Instead of Judaic ceremonialism, true service is: (1) active, (2) passive piety. 'If any think himself [ dokei (G1380)] to be religious - i:e...

27_Pure religion_. As he passes by those things which are of the greatest moment in religion, he does not define generally what religion is, but reminds us that religion without the things he mentions is nothing; as when one given to wine and gluttony boasts that he is temperate, and another should object, and say that the temperate man is he who does not indulge in excess as to wine or eating; his object is not to express the whole of what temperance is, but to refer only to one thing, suitable to the subject in hand. For they are in vain religious of whom he speaks, as they are for the most part trifling pretenders. James then teaches us that religion is not to be estimated by the pomp of ceremonies; but that there are important duties to which the servants of God ought to attend. To _visit in necessity _is to extend a helping hand to alleviate such as are in distress. And as there ar...

26,27 When men take more pains to seem religious than really to be so, it is a sign their religion is in vain. The not bridling the tongue, readiness to speak of the faults of others, or to lessen their wisdom and piety, are signs of a vain religion. The man who has a slandering tongue, cannot have a truly humble, gracious heart. False religious may be known by their impurity and uncharitableness. True religion teaches us to do every thing as in the presence of God. An unspotted life must go with unfeigned love and charity. Our true religion is equal to the measure in which these things have place in our hearts and conduct. And let us remember, that nothing avails in Christ Jesus, but faith that worketh by love, purifies the heart, subdues carnal lusts, and obeys God's commands....

Verse James 1:27. _PURE RELIGION, AND UNDEFILED_] Having seen something of the etymology of the word θρησκεια, which we translate _religion_, it will be well to consider the etymology of the word _religion_ itself. In the 28th chapter of the 4th book of his _Divine Instructions_, LACTANTIUS, who flourished about A. D. 300, treats of _hope, true_ _religion_, and _superstition_; of the two latter he gives Cicero's definition from his book _De Natura Deorum_, lib. ii. c. 28, which with his own definition will lead us to a correct view, not only of the _etymology_, but of the _thing_ itself. "_Superstition_," according to that philosopher, "had its name from the custom of those who offered daily prayers and sacrifices, that their children might SURVIVE THEM; _ut sui sibi liberi_ superstites essent. Henc

PURE RELIGION - On the word here rendered “religion” (θρησκεία thrēskeia), see the notes at Colossians 2:18. It is used here evidently in the sense of piety, or as we commonly employ the word religion. The object of the apostle is to describe what enters essentially into religion; what it will do when it is properly and fairly developed. The phrase “pure religion” means that which is genuine and sincere, or which is free from any improper mixture. AND UNDEFILED BEFORE GOD AND THE FATHER - That which God sees to be pure and undefiled. Rosenmuller supposes that there is a metaphor here taken from pearls or gems, which should be pure, or without stain. IS THIS - That is, this enters into it; or this is religion such a

EXPOSITION JAMES 1:1 SALUTATION. JAMES, A SERVANT OF GOD AND OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. (On the person who thus describes himself, see the Introduction) It is noteworthy that he keeps entirely out of sight his natural relationship to our Lord, and styles himself simply "a bond-servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ." That, and that alone, gave him a right to speak and a claim to be heard. Δοῦλος is similarly used by St. Paul in Romans 1:1; Philippians 1:1; Titus 1:1 by St. Peter in 2 Peter 1:1; and by

PURE RELIGION AND UNDEFILED,.... That which is sincere and genuine, and free from adulteration and hypocrisy: BEFORE GOD AND THE FATHER; or in the sight of God the Father of Christ, and all his people; that which is approved of by him, who is the searcher of hearts, and the trier of the reins of men, "is this": not that the apostle is giving a full definition of true religion; only he mentions some of the effects of it, by which it is known, and without which it cannot be true and genuine; and they are these: TO VISIT THE FATHERLESS AND WIDOWS IN THEIR AFFLICTION; and not only to see them, and speak a word of comfort to them, but to communicate to them, and supply their wants, as they may require, and according to the ability God has given: where there is true religion in the heart, there is love to God; and where there is love to God, there is love to the saints; and this will show it...

James 1:1. _James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting._ According to the teaching of some in the present day, the apostle should have said, «To the two tribes, and the ten that are lost,» but he does not say so, nor does Scripture say so. «To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.» James 1:2. _My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into diverse temptations;_ Or, «trials.» This is a strange thing to say, is it not? Should we not count it great joy when we escape from trial? Perhaps so; but we are expressly told to count, or reckon, it all joy when we fall into divers trials. Have you never known what it is, in times of peace and quietness, to feel as if you missed the grandeur of the presence

WORLD Greek, "kosmos" means "world-system". (James 4:4); (John 7:7). (_ See Scofield) - (Revelation 13:8). _...

JAMES 1:27 a;spilon e`auto.n threi/n Instead of the text that is supported by the overwhelming bulk of the witnesses, î74 reads u`peraspi,zein auvtou,j (“to protect themselves”). The plural is also read by several minuscules (avspi,louj e`autou.j threi/te 614 1505 2412 2495)....