James 1:27 ESV

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

Taking care of orphans and widows (conduct) is a duty that lies close to the heart of God (cf. Exodus 22:22-24; Deuteronomy 10:18; Isaiah 1:17; Jeremiah 5:28; Ezekiel 22:7; Zechariah 7:10). Yet many who professed to love Him neglected it (Psalms 68:5; Ecclesiastes 4:1; Mark 12:40). [Note: See Richard D. Patterson, "The Widow, the Orphan, and the Poor in the Old Testament and the Extra-Biblical Literature," Bibliotheca Sacra 130:519 (July-September 1973):223-34.] Likewise personal moral purity... read more

John Darby

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - James 1:27

1:27 Father (h-9) Or 'God the Father,' Lit. 'God and Father.' read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - James 1:1-27

The Power of Faith Under Temptation1. Servant] better, ’slave.’ The word does not suggest any degradation, but only absolute surrender to the Master. St. James’s humility prevents the mention of the earthly relationship. Scattered abroad] RV ’of the Dispersion.’ Jews were found (sometimes in great numbers) in all the cities of the Roman empire. They kept up their connexion with the mother-country by going up to the great Jewish feasts. Greeting] better, ’joy be with you.’ This form of... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - James 1:2-27

(2-27) Immediately after the salutation, and with more or less a play upon the word which we translate “greeting” (“rejoice,” James 1:1; “count it all joy,” James 1:2) there follow appeals on behalf of patience, endurance. and meekness. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - James 1:27

(27) Pure religion . . .—It will be observed that by religion here is meant religious service. No one word can express this obvious interpretation of the original, taken as it must be in completion of the verse before; and certainly “religion” in its ordinary sense will not convey the right idea. Real worship, we may say, pure and undefiled, beheld and acknowledged as such in the presence of God, even the Father—mark the tender pathos of His divine relationship—is this:To visit the fatherless... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - James 1:1-27

James 1:3 It sometimes seems a little strange how, after having earnestly prayed to be delivered from temptation, and having given ourselves with shut eyes into God's hand, from that time every thought, every outward influence, every acknowledged law of life, seems to lead us on from strength to strength. Mrs. Gaskell, in Ruth (ch. XXIII.). Never expect thy flesh should truly expound the meaning of the rod. It will call love, hatred; and say, God is destroying, when He is saving. It is the... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - James 1:1-27

Analysis and Annotations I. TRIALS AND THE EXERCISE OF FAITH CHAPTER 1 1. Trials and the power of faith (James 1:1-4 ) 2. The resources of faith (James 1:5-8 ) 3. The realization of faith (James 1:9-11 ) 4. The conquest of faith (James 1:12-15 ) 5. The result of faith (James 1:16-27 ) James 1:1-4 The first verse is the introduction. The writer is James, but he does not add, as he might have done, “the brother of the Lord.” It would have identified his person at once, and being the... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - James 1:27

1:27 {19} Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To {z} visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, [and] to keep himself unspotted from the world.(19) The fourth: the true service of God exists in charity towards our neighbours, especially those who need the help of others (fatherless and widows), and purity of life.(z) To care for them and to help them as much as we can. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - James 1:1-27

This chapter has a very close relationship to the Old Testament, for all is seen in connection with God; and Christ is not yet spoken of as the center and essence of all blessing and of all direction for the people of God. Chapter 2 introduces this. James writes simply as a bondservant, not as an apostle communicating the mind of God. For he emphasizes conduct, not doctrine. It may be questioned as to how all twelve tribes might be contacted for the distribution of this message (specially... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - James 1:1-27

INSTRUCTION CONCERNING TRIALS “Temptations,” in James 1:2 , is in the sense of trials (see Revised Version margin). Why should they be received with joy (James 1:3 )? In what spiritual condition will such a reception and use of trial result (James 1:4 )? What will effectually aid in that direction (James 1:5 ; James 1:8 )? Along what lines of trial were they being exercised (James 1:9 ; James 1:11 )? Notice that the poor man is to find comfort in his truly high estate in Christ, while the... read more