James 1:27 ESV

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - James 1:27

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... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - James 1:26-27

James 1:26-27. If &c. Here the apostle shows more particularly who are the doers of the word; 1st, Negatively, in this verse: 2d, Positively, in the next verse. If any man among you Who are professors of Christianity; seem to be religious Θρησκος , pious, devout, or a worshipper of God: and if his conduct in other respects be irreprehensible, and he be exact in all the outward offices of religion, yet if he bridleth not his tongue From tale-bearing, backbiting, evil-speaking,... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - James 1:19-27

1:19-2:26 PUTTING BELIEF INTO PRACTICEThe Bible and everyday life (1:19-27)A tendency in human nature is for people to become ill-tempered, especially in times of difficulty or stress. Christians must not excuse their ill-temper by claiming that they are defending God’s honour. Such attitudes have no place in the Christian life. They must be replaced by new attitudes that arise from studying God’s Word and putting its teachings into practice (19-21).Christians must not merely read God’s Word,... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - James 1:27

undefiled . Greek. amiantos. See Hebrews 7:26 . before . App-104 . visit . App-133 . Compare Matthew 26:36 , Matthew 26:43 . Personal interest and sympathy are enjoined. Compare Micah 6:8 . fatherless . Greek. orphanos. Only here and John 14:18 . affliction . See Acts 7:10 . unspotted . Greek. aspilos. See 1 Timothy 6:14 . world . App-129 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - James 1:27

Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.Some commentators make a big point of saying that James was here contrasting Christian behavior with external acts of religion, such as taking the Lord's supper; but this is not the case at all. Christianity also includes doing that, and everything else that Christ commanded. As Jesus put it in the Great Commission, "teaching them to... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - James 1:27

James 1:27. Pure religion— By the word θρησκεια, religion, is often meant the worship of God; but here it evidently takes in a larger compass; namely, that menvisit the fatherless, &c. "Pure and undefiled religion, that which is clear and without any flaw or blemish before the penetrating eyes of God, even the Father, consists not merelyin speculations or forms, or even in the warmth of affection during the exercise of worship; but it is this—to take the oversight of orphans and widows in... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - James 1:27

27. Pure . . . and undefiled—"Pure" is that love which has in it no foreign admixture, as self-deceit and hypocrisy. "Undefiled" is the means of its being "pure" [TITTMANN]. "Pure" expresses the positive, "undefiled" the negative side of religious service; just as visiting the fatherless and widow is the active, keeping himself unspotted from the world, the passive side of religious duty. This is the nobler shape that our religious exercises take, instead of the ceremonial offices of the law.... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 1:2-27

II. TRIALS AND TRUE RELIGION 1:2-27James began his letter, which is in many ways a lecture, by dealing with the problem of trials that all believers encounter. Jews who became Christians in the early history of the church experienced much antagonism and persecution from their unbelieving fellow Jews, as is clear in the Book of Acts. All Christians who take a stand for the Lord continue to have to deal with such trials. Thus James’ inspired advice is perennially relevant. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 1:19-27

C. The Proper Response to Trials 1:19-27Having explained the value of trials and our options in trials, James next exhorted his readers to respond properly to their trials. In this section he stressed the Word of God because it is the key to resisting temptations and responding to trials correctly (cf. Matthew 4:1-11)."Receptivity to the Word, responsiveness to the Word, and resignation to the Word are essential to spiritual growth. One must accept God’s Word, act on it, and abide by it."... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 1:26-27

4. The external behavior 1:26-27James proceeded to explain in James 1:26 to James 2:13 what a doer of works (James 1:25) does. read more

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - James 1:27

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - James 1:26-27

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - James 1:19-27

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - James 1:27

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - James 1:27

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - James 1:27

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - James 1:27

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 1:2-27

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 1:19-27

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 1:26-27

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