Keraia
James 1

James 1:27

Hearing and Doing · James 1:19–27
Read James 1

Translations

Modern
Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Traditional
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
Literal
Pure and undefiled religion before the God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their tribulation, to keep oneself unstained from the world.
Latin
Religio munda et immaculata apud Deum et Patrem, hæc est: visitare pupillos et viduas in tribulatione eorum, et immaculatum se custodire ab hoc sæculo.

Original

Greek
English
Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Notes

James 1:26–27

  • bridle his tongue: James uses this image to show that controlling your tongue reflects the condition of your heart and direction of life (compare 3:1–13).

  • orphans and widows were the most vulnerable people in ancient society. They relied on others for support because the husband and father provided economic help and social connections (Exodus 22:22–24; Deuteronomy 10:18). God calls Christians to especially care for those who are helpless (compare 1 Timothy 5:3–16).

  • In James, the world is hostile to God (compare James 3:15; 4:4; Romans 12:2; 1 John 2:15–17).

James 1:12–27

James discusses three topics from 1:2–11 and adds new insights to each. External challenges (in 1:2–4) become internal temptations (in 1:11–18). The need for wisdom (in 1:5–8) connects to controlling angry speech (in 1:19–21). Poverty and wealth relate to acting on God's word (1:22–25). This section then summarizes these ideas (1:26–27).

Glossary

Alms Letter of James Orphan Tribulation World

Topics

Afflictions and Adversities: Consolation In All Christians should be As Missionaries in Visiting and Relieving the Poor, the Sick Being Pure Benevolence Christian Conduct: Visiting the Afflicted Doer of the Word Duty Toward The Afflicted: To Visit Them Fatherless: Visit in Affliction Fatherlessness Foster Care God: Fatherhood of Help Others Helping Helping People Helping the Poor Helping Widows Love to Man: should be Exhibited, in Visiting the Sick Love: Exemplification of the Love of Man for Man Nazarites: Saints Orphan: General Scriptures Concerning Poor: Duty To Religion: True Righteousness: Fruits of Social Injustice Social Justice Standing Up for Others Sympathy: General Scriptures Concerning Taking Care of Children Taking Care of the Elderly Taking Care of Widows The Needy The Sick: Visiting, a Duty True Religion Widows: should be Visited in Affliction Works: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To