Study it in the app“Religion pure and undefiled before God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”
James: pure religion includes visiting orphans and widows in their distressJustice and mercy
ReligionθρησκείαpureκαθαρὰandκαὶundefiledἀμίαντοςbeforeπαρὰGodτῷ θεῷandκαὶFatherπατρὶisἐστίνthis:αὕτηto visitἐπισκέπτεσθαιorphansὀρφανοὺςandκαὶwidowsχήραςinἐνtheir affliction,τῇ θλίψει αὐτῶνandto keepτηρεῖνoneselfἑαυτὸνunstainedἄσπιλονbyἀπὸthe world.τοῦ κόσμου
religion, worship
Religion, worship: the outward way of serving God.
Where else “thrēskeia” appearspure
Undivided in heart, without guilt.
Where else “kathara” appearsundefiled
Undefiled, unstained: free from what makes impure.
Where else “amiantos” appearsGod
The Creator and Lord of all, the one God of Israel.
Where else “theōi” appearsFather
God, who gives life and cares for his own; the Father of Jesus.
Where else “patri” appearsbe
To be: says who or what something is.
Where else “estin” appearsvisit
To go see someone and care for them.
Where else “episkeptesthai” appearsorphan
A child left without a father to protect him.
Where else “orphanous” appearswidow
Widow.
Where else “chēras” appearstrouble, affliction
Affliction, distress, pressure.
Where else “thlipsei” appearsguard
To protect, watch over, or set aside for later.
Where else “tērein” appearsspotless
Spotless, without blemish.
Where else “aspilon” appearsworld against God
People who live with their backs to God.
Where else “kosmou” appears26If anyone thinks he is religious while not bridling his tongue but deceiving his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.
27 · This verse (above)
1. What it says
What does James say the testing of faith produces, and what should someone do who lacks wisdom (v. 2-5)?
2. What it means
James says it is not enough to hear the word; we must do it (v. 22-25). Why does he use the image of a mirror?
3. How I live it
James speaks of being quick to hear and slow to speak (v. 19). In what conversation today could you listen more?
