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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>James 1:27 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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/james/1-27.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/59_Jas_01_27.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="James 1:27 - Hearing and Doing" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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to keep oneself unstained from the world. <a href="/kjv/james/1.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/james/1.htm">New King James Version</a> Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. <a href="/nasb_/james/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. <a href="/nasb/james/1.htm">NASB 1995</a> Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. <a href="/nasb77/james/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a> This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. <a href="/lsb/james/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. <a href="/amp/james/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Pure and unblemished religion [as it is expressed in outward acts] in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit and look after the fatherless and the widows in their distress, and to keep oneself uncontaminated by the [secular] world. <a href="/csb/james/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained from the world. <a href="/hcsb/james/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world. <a href="/asv/james/1.htm">American Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/cev/james/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Religion that pleases God the Father must be pure and spotless. You must help needy orphans and widows and not let this world make you evil. <a href="/erv/james/1.htm">English Revised Version</a> Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. <a href="/gwt/james/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Pure, unstained religion, according to God our Father, is to take care of orphans and widows when they suffer and to remain uncorrupted by this world. <a href="/gnt/james/1.htm">Good News Translation</a> What God the Father considers to be pure and genuine religion is this: to take care of orphans and widows in their suffering and to keep oneself from being corrupted by the world. <a href="/isv/james/1.htm">International Standard Version</a> A religion that is pure and stainless according to God the Father is this: to take care of orphans and widows who are suffering, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. <a href="/msb/james/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/net/james/1.htm">NET Bible</a> Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their misfortune and to keep oneself unstained by the world. <a href="/nheb/james/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. <a href="/wbt/james/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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. <a href="/wey/james/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> The religious service which is pure and stainless in the sight of our God and Father is to visit fatherless children and widowed women in their time of trouble, and to keep one's own self unspotted from the world. <a href="/web/james/1.htm">World English Bible</a> Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/james/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> religion pure and undefiled with the God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their tribulation—to keep himself unspotted from the world. <a href="/blb/james/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> 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. <a href="/ylt/james/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> religion pure and undefiled with the God and Father is this, to look after orphans and widows in their tribulation -- unspotted to keep himself from the world. <a href="/slt/james/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Religion pure and unpolluted before God and the Father is this, To take a view of the orphans and widows in their pressure, to keep himself free from stain from the world.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/james/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Religion clean and undefiled before God and the Father, is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their tribulation: and to keep one's self unspotted from this world. <a href="/cpdv/james/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> This is religion, clean and undefiled before God the Father: to visit orphans and widows in their tribulations, and to keep yourself immaculate, apart from this age. <a href="/nabre/james/1.htm">New American Bible</a> Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world. <a href="/nrsvce/james/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/james/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> For a pure and holy ministry before God, the Father, is this, To visit the fatherless and the widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/james/1.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> For pure and holy ministry before God The Father is this: to take care of orphans and widows in their affliction, and for a man to keep his soul without defilement from the world. <div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/james/1.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Religion, pure 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. <a href="/godbey/james/1.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> Pure religion and undefiled with God even the Father is this, to relieve the orphans and widows in their affliction, and keep himself unspotted from the world. <a href="/haweis/james/1.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Pure religion and undefiled with God even the Father is this, To pay diligent attention to the orphans and widows in their affliction, and to preserve himself spotless from the world.<CM> <a href="/mace/james/1.htm">Mace New Testament</a> pure and unadulterated religion, in the eye of God our father, consists in taking care of orphans and widows in their distress: and in keeping clear of the vices of the age. <a href="/wey/james/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> The religious service which is pure and stainless in the sight of our God and Father is to visit fatherless children and widowed women in their time of trouble, and to keep one's own self unspotted from the world. <a href="/worrell/james/1.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> A religion, pure and undefiled with our God and Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their tribulation, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. <a href="/worsley/james/1.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Pure and uncorrupt religion before God and our Father is this, to take care of orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. <a href="/parallel/james/1-27.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0xUBCzqsAGw?start=224" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/james/1.htm">Hearing and Doing</a> …26If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless. 27<a href="/greek/2513.htm" title="2513: kathara (Adj-NFS) -- Clean.">Pure</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/283.htm" title="283: amiantos (Adj-NFS) -- Undefiled, untainted, free from contamination. Unsoiled, i.e. pure.">undefiled</a> <a href="/greek/2356.htm" title="2356: thrēskeia (N-NFS) -- From a derivative of threskos; ceremonial observance.">religion</a> <a href="/greek/3844.htm" title="3844: para (Prep) -- Gen: from; dat: beside, in the presence of; acc: alongside of. ">before</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">our</a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theō (N-DMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3962.htm" title="3962: Patri (N-DMS) -- Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a father.">Father</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: hautē (DPro-NFS) -- This; he, she, it. ">this:</a> <a href="/greek/1980.htm" title="1980: episkeptesthai (V-PNM/P) -- To look upon, visit, look out, select. ">to care for</a> <a href="/greek/3737.htm" title="3737: orphanous (Adj-AMP) -- Bereaved, an orphan, fatherless, desolate. Of uncertain affinity; bereaved, i.e. Parentless.">orphans</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/5503.htm" title="5503: chēras (N-AFP) -- Feminine of a presumed derivative apparently from the base of chasma through the idea of deficiency; a widow, literally or figuratively.">widows</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">in</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autōn (PPro-GM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">their</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tē (Art-DFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2347.htm" title="2347: thlipsei (N-DFS) -- Persecution, affliction, distress, tribulation. From thlibo; pressure.">distress,</a> <a href="/greek/5083.htm" title="5083: tērein (V-PNA) -- From teros; to guard, i.e. To note; by implication, to detain; by extension, to withhold; by extension, to withhold.">and to keep</a> <a href="/greek/1438.htm" title="1438: heauton (RefPro-AM3S) -- Himself, herself, itself. ">oneself</a> <a href="/greek/784.htm" title="784: aspilon (Adj-AMS) -- Unstained, undefiled, spotless, pure. Unblemished.">from being polluted</a> <a href="/greek/575.htm" title="575: apo (Prep) -- From, away from. A primary particle; off, i.e. Away, in various senses.">by</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/2889.htm" title="2889: kosmou (N-GMS) -- Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication, the world (morally).">world.</a> <div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/matthew/25-35.htm">Matthew 25:35-40</a> For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, / I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’ / Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? ... <a href="/isaiah/1-17.htm">Isaiah 1:17</a> Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.” <a href="/galatians/6-10.htm">Galatians 6:10</a> Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith. <a href="/micah/6-8.htm">Micah 6:8</a> He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? <a href="/1_john/3-17.htm">1 John 3:17-18</a> If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him? / Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth. <a href="/deuteronomy/10-18.htm">Deuteronomy 10:18</a> He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and He loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing. <a href="/proverbs/31-8.htm">Proverbs 31:8-9</a> Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed. / Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy. <a href="/1_timothy/5-3.htm">1 Timothy 5:3-4</a> Honor the widows who are truly widows. / But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to show godliness to their own family and repay their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. <a href="/psalms/68-5.htm">Psalm 68:5</a> A father of the fatherless and a defender of widows is God in His holy habitation. <a href="/luke/4-18.htm">Luke 4:18-19</a> “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, / to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” <a href="/exodus/22-22.htm">Exodus 22:22-24</a> You must not mistreat any widow or orphan. / If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to Me in distress, I will surely hear their cry. / My anger will be kindled, and I will kill you with the sword; then your wives will become widows and your children will be fatherless. <a href="/acts/20-35.htm">Acts 20:35</a> In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” <a href="/zechariah/7-9.htm">Zechariah 7:9-10</a> “This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Administer true justice. Show loving devotion and compassion to one another. / Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. And do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’ <a href="/romans/12-13.htm">Romans 12:13</a> Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality. <a href="/job/29-12.htm">Job 29:12-13</a> because I rescued the poor who cried out and the fatherless who had no helper. / The dying man blessed me, and I made the widow’s heart sing for joy.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>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.Pure.<a href="/james/3-17.htm">James 3:17</a> But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.<a href="/psalms/119-1.htm">Psalm 119:1</a> ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.<a href="/matthew/5-8.htm">Matthew 5:8</a> Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.To visit.<a href="/job/29-12.htm">Job 29:12,13</a> Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him… <a href="/job/31-15.htm">Job 31:15-20</a> Did not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not one fashion us in the womb? … <a href="/psalms/68-5.htm">Psalm 68:5</a> A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.to keep.<a href="/james/4-4.htm">James 4:4</a> Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.<a href="/john/17-14.htm">John 17:14,15</a> I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world… <a href="/romans/12-2.htm">Romans 12:2</a> And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/hebrews/12-6.htm">Accepts</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-25.htm">Affliction</a> <a href="/james/1-18.htm">Children</a> <a href="/james/1-21.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/hebrews/13-21.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/malachi/3-5.htm">Fatherless</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-10.htm">Fathers</a> <a href="/hebrews/8-7.htm">Faultless</a> <a href="/james/1-25.htm">Free</a> <a href="/hebrews/13-12.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/2_thessalonians/3-8.htm">One's</a> <a href="/colossians/2-23.htm">Oneself</a> <a href="/john/14-18.htm">Orphans</a> <a href="/titus/1-15.htm">Polluted</a> <a href="/james/1-2.htm">Pure</a> <a href="/james/1-26.htm">Religion</a> <a href="/james/1-26.htm">Religious</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-28.htm">Service</a> <a href="/hebrews/13-21.htm">Sight</a> <a href="/james/1-24.htm">Time</a> <a href="/hebrews/13-9.htm">Trouble</a> <a href="/hebrews/13-4.htm">Undefiled</a> <a href="/1_timothy/6-14.htm">Unspotted</a> <a href="/hebrews/7-26.htm">Unstained</a> <a href="/1_timothy/6-14.htm">Untouched</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/2-1.htm">Visit</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-5.htm">Widowed</a> <a href="/1_timothy/5-16.htm">Widows</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-35.htm">Women</a> <a href="/james/1-1.htm">World</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/deuteronomy/10-17.htm">Accepts</a> <a href="/james/5-10.htm">Affliction</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-14.htm">Children</a> <a href="/james/2-4.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/james/2-5.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/exodus/22-22.htm">Fatherless</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-18.htm">Fathers</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-19.htm">Faultless</a> <a href="/james/2-12.htm">Free</a> <a href="/james/2-7.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-17.htm">One's</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-13.htm">Oneself</a> <a href="/exodus/22-24.htm">Orphans</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-10.htm">Polluted</a> <a href="/james/3-17.htm">Pure</a> <a href="/1_peter/4-18.htm">Religion</a> <a href="/amos/5-21.htm">Religious</a> <a href="/1_peter/4-11.htm">Service</a> <a href="/james/4-10.htm">Sight</a> <a href="/james/4-14.htm">Time</a> <a href="/james/5-10.htm">Trouble</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-4.htm">Undefiled</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-19.htm">Unspotted</a> <a href="/1_timothy/2-8.htm">Unstained</a> <a href="/revelation/14-5.htm">Untouched</a> <a href="/2_john/1-12.htm">Visit</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-21.htm">Widowed</a> <a href="/exodus/22-24.htm">Widows</a> <a href="/james/4-4.htm">Women</a> <a href="/james/2-5.htm">World</a><div class="vheading2">James 1</div>1. <a href="/james/1-1.htm">James greets the twelve tribes among the nations;</a> 2. <a href="/james/1-2.htm">exhorts to rejoice in trials and temptations;</a> 5. <a href="/james/1-5.htm">to ask patience of God;</a> 13. <a href="/james/1-13.htm">and in our trials not to impute our weakness, or sins, to him,</a> 19. <a href="/james/1-19.htm">but rather to hearken to the word, to meditate on it, and to do thereafter.</a> 26. <a href="/james/1-26.htm">Otherwise men may seem, but never be, truly religious.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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The term "pure" suggests a religion that is free from corruption or hypocrisy, aligning with the biblical call for holiness (<a href="/1_peter/1-16.htm">1 Peter 1:16</a>). "Undefiled" indicates a state of being untainted by sin or worldly influences, echoing the call for believers to be set apart (<a href="/romans/12-2.htm">Romans 12:2</a>). The reference to "our God and Father" highlights the personal relationship believers have with God, who is both sovereign and paternal, underscoring the familial bond within the Christian faith (<a href="/galatians/4-6.htm">Galatians 4:6</a>).to care for orphans and widows in their distress, Caring for orphans and widows was a significant aspect of Jewish law and tradition, reflecting God's compassion and justice (<a href="/deuteronomy/10-18.htm">Deuteronomy 10:18</a>, <a href="/psalms/68-5.htm">Psalm 68:5</a>). In the ancient world, orphans and widows were among the most vulnerable, often lacking social and economic support. The early church continued this practice, as seen in <a href="/acts/6.htm">Acts 6:1-6</a>, where the apostles addressed the needs of widows. This care is a practical expression of love and faith, demonstrating the heart of God, who is described as a defender of the fatherless and widows (<a href="/psalms/146-9.htm">Psalm 146:9</a>).and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. This phrase calls for personal holiness and separation from worldly values and practices that contradict God's standards. The "world" here refers to the system of values and beliefs that are opposed to God (1 <a href="/john/2-15.htm">John 2:15-17</a>). The call to remain unpolluted is a reminder of the believer's identity as a new creation in Christ (<a href="/2_corinthians/5-17.htm">2 Corinthians 5:17</a>) and the ongoing process of sanctification (<a href="/1_thessalonians/4-3.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:3-7</a>). This separation is not about physical withdrawal but maintaining spiritual integrity and moral purity in a fallen world, reflecting the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, who was in the world but not of it (<a href="/john/17-14.htm">John 17:14-16</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/james.htm">James</a> The author of the epistle, traditionally identified as James, the brother of Jesus and a leader in the early Jerusalem church. He writes to Jewish Christians scattered among the nations. 2. <a href="/topical/o/orphans_and_widows.htm">Orphans and Widows</a> Represent vulnerable groups in society who were often neglected and lacked support. Caring for them is a practical expression of true religion. 3. <a href="/topical/g/god_and_father.htm">God and Father</a> Refers to the Christian understanding of God as both a divine authority and a loving parent, emphasizing a personal relationship with believers. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_world.htm">The World</a> In this context, it refers to the secular, sinful systems and values that are contrary to God's holiness and righteousness. 5. <a href="/topical/r/religion.htm">Religion</a> In the Greek, (threskeia) refers to outward religious practices or ceremonies. James redefines it as actions that reflect inner purity and devotion to God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/true_religion_defined.htm">True Religion Defined</a> True religion is not just about rituals or ceremonies but involves practical care for those in need and personal holiness. <a href="/topical/c/compassionate_action.htm">Compassionate Action</a> Believers are called to actively seek out and support the vulnerable, such as orphans and widows, reflecting God's heart for justice and mercy. <a href="/topical/p/personal_holiness.htm">Personal Holiness</a> Maintaining purity involves resisting the corrupting influences of the world, which requires discernment and commitment to God's standards. <a href="/topical/c/community_responsibility.htm">Community Responsibility</a> The church community has a collective responsibility to care for its members, especially those who are marginalized or in distress. <a href="/topical/h/holistic_faith.htm">Holistic Faith</a> Faith is demonstrated through both social action and personal integrity, showing that belief and behavior are inseparable in the Christian life.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_james_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from James 1</a> <a href="/q/george_mand#252;ller__bio,_quotes,_legacy.htm">What is George Müller's biography, quotes, and legacy?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_about_religion.htm">What does the Bible say about religion?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_definition_of_religion.htm">What is the definition of religion?</a> <a href="/q/what's_the_cme_church.htm">What is the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/james/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(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 (or, orphans) and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.--Here is the double proof of the perfect life of holiness, the savour whereof is as perpetual incense before the throne of God. And the help afforded to the helpless, put thus in the first place of the two requirements, will often bring about the second--namely, that spotless condition of unworldliness which marks, and will ever mark, the true servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. Deeds of benevolence may be and are often done by those who are not His; but all who truly belong to Him must live a life which praises Him continually in good works; not, it is hardly needful to say, as a cause--but rather the natural and inevitable result of love for Him, warming the heart within.Scrupulous indeed were the "religious" contemporaries of James; they would not enter where the image of Divus Caesar had its votive flame, while they were ceremonially clean for the keeping of their passover--"they went not into the judgment hall lest they should be defiled" (<a href="/john/18-28.htm" title="Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas to the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.">John 18:28</a>). But He whom there they cruelly sought to slay had told them before, though in vain, "that which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man" (<a href="/mark/7-20.htm" title="And he said, That which comes out of the man, that defiles the man.">Mark 7:20</a>), and "nothing from without can defile him" (<a href="/james/1-15.htm" title="Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death.">James 1:15</a>). What an eternal caution may be learned here against cold reliance upon ritual! What an instance, ever, under all varieties and forms, to be applied to themselves by the erring; persecuting, and deceitful sons of men! while, on the other hand, from these words of the wise Apostle we may be sure what is truest, nay, the only true service, acceptable and accepted, of the Most High--"To visit the fatherless and the widow," beholding in them a new image of Christ, the Man of Sorrows, is to show pity verily to Him; and at the last such "pure religion" will receive His own approval. "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, my brethren, ye have done it unto me" (<a href="/matthew/25-40.htm" title="And the King shall answer and say to them, Truly I say to you, Inasmuch as you have done it to one of the least of these my brothers, you have done it to me.">Matthew 25:40</a>). Blessed be the ears attuned to catch the golden cadence, for it rings in angel voices round the soothers of the sick and sorrow-laden even now! . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/james/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 27. - God and the Father; rather, our God and Father. The article (τῷ) binds together Θεῷ and Πατρί, so that they should not be separated, as in the A.V. To visit the fatherless... and to keep himself unspotted. Observe that our duty towards our fellow-men is placed first; then that towards ourselves. Ἐπισκέπτεσθαι is the regular word for visiting the sick; cf. Ecclus. 7:35, "Be not slow to visit the sick (μὴ ὄκει ἐπισκέτεσπθαι ἀῥῤωστον)." The fatherless and widows (ὀρφανοὺς καὶ χήρας). These stand here (as so often in the Old Testament) as types of persons in distress; the "personae miserabiles" of the Canon Law (see e.g. <a href="/deuteronomy/10-18.htm">Deuteronomy 10:18</a>; <a href="/psalms/68-5.htm">Psalm 68:5</a>; <a href="/psalms/82-3.htm">Psalm 82:3</a>; <a href="/isaiah/1-17.htm">Isaiah 1:17</a>; and cf. Ecclus. 4:10). "Be as a father unto the fatherless, and instead of an husband unto their mother; so shalt thou be as the son of the Most High, and he shall love thee more than thy mother doth." To keep himself unspotted. Man's duty towards himself. (For ἄσπιλον, cf. <a href="/1_timothy/6-14.htm">1 Timothy 6:14</a>; <a href="/1_peter/1-19.htm">1 Peter 1:19</a>; <a href="/2_peter/3-14.htm">2 Peter 3:14</a>.) From the world. This clause may be connected either with τηρεῖν or with ἄσπιλον, as in the phrase, καθαρὸς ἀπὸ in <a href="/acts/20-26.htm">Acts 20:26</a>. <a href="/commentaries/james/1-27.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Pure καθαρὰ (kathara) Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2513.htm">Strong's 2513: </a> Clean. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. undefiled ἀμίαντος (amiantos) Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_283.htm">Strong's 283: </a> Undefiled, untainted, free from contamination. Unsoiled, i.e. pure. religion θρησκεία (thrēskeia) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2356.htm">Strong's 2356: </a> From a derivative of threskos; ceremonial observance. before παρὰ (para) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_3844.htm">Strong's 3844: </a> Gen: from; dat: beside, in the presence of; acc: alongside of. [our] τῷ (tō) Article - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. God Θεῷ (Theō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. Father Πατρὶ (Patri) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3962.htm">Strong's 3962: </a> Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'. is ἐστίν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. this: αὕτη (hautē) Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> This; he, she, it. to care for ἐπισκέπτεσθαι (episkeptesthai) Verb - Present Infinitive Middle or Passive <a href="/greek/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> To look upon, visit, look out, select. orphans ὀρφανοὺς (orphanous) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3737.htm">Strong's 3737: </a> Bereaved, an orphan, fatherless, desolate. Of uncertain affinity; bereaved, i.e. Parentless. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. widows χήρας (chēras) Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5503.htm">Strong's 5503: </a> Feminine of a presumed derivative apparently from the base of chasma through the idea of deficiency; a widow, literally or figuratively. in ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. their αὐτῶν (autōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. distress, θλίψει (thlipsei) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2347.htm">Strong's 2347: </a> Persecution, affliction, distress, tribulation. From thlibo; pressure. [and] to keep τηρεῖν (tērein) Verb - Present Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_5083.htm">Strong's 5083: </a> From teros; to guard, i.e. To note; by implication, to detain; by extension, to withhold; by extension, to withhold. oneself ἑαυτὸν (heauton) Reflexive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1438.htm">Strong's 1438: </a> Himself, herself, itself. from being polluted ἄσπιλον (aspilon) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_784.htm">Strong's 784: </a> Unstained, undefiled, spotless, pure. Unblemished. by ἀπὸ (apo) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_575.htm">Strong's 575: </a> From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses. the τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. world. κόσμου (kosmou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2889.htm">Strong's 2889: </a> Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication, the world (morally). <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/james/1-27.htm">James 1:27 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/james/1-27.htm">James 1:27 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/james/1-27.htm">James 1:27 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/james/1-27.htm">James 1:27 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/james/1-27.htm">James 1:27 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/james/1-27.htm">James 1:27 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/james/1-27.htm">James 1:27 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/james/1-27.htm">James 1:27 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/james/1-27.htm">James 1:27 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/james/1-27.htm">James 1:27 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/james/1-27.htm">NT Letters: James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before our God (Ja Jas. Jam) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/james/1-26.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="James 1:26"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="James 1:26" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/james/2-1.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="James 2:1"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="James 2:1" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>