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class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/james/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/james/1.htm">New International Version</a> Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. <a href="/nlt/james/1.htm">New Living Translation</a> If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. <a href="/esv/james/1.htm">English Standard Version</a> If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. <a href="/bsb/james/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless. <a href="/blb/james/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> If anyone seems to be religious, not bridling his tongue, but deceiving his heart, the religion of this one is worthless. <a href="/kjv/james/1.htm">King James Bible</a> If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. <a href="/nkjv/james/1.htm">New King James Version</a> If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. <a href="/nasb_/james/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> If anyone thinks himself to be religious, yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this person’s religion is worthless. <a href="/nasb/james/1.htm">NASB 1995</a> If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man&#8217s religion is worthless. <a href="/nasb77/james/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a> If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. <a href="/lsb/james/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> If anyone thinks himself to be religious while not bridling his tongue but deceiving his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. <a href="/amp/james/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a> If anyone thinks himself to be religious [scrupulously observant of the rituals of his faith], and does not control his tongue but deludes his own heart, this person’s religion is worthless (futile, barren). <a href="/csb/james/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> If anyone thinks he is religious without controlling his tongue, his religion is useless and he deceives himself. <a href="/hcsb/james/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> If anyone thinks he is religious without controlling his tongue, then his religion is useless and he deceives himself. <a href="/asv/james/1.htm">American Standard Version</a> If any man thinketh himself to be religious, while he bridleth not his tongue but deceiveth his heart, this man's religion is vain. <a href="/cev/james/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> If you think you are being religious, but can't control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is useless. <a href="/erv/james/1.htm">English Revised Version</a> If any man thinketh himself to be religious, while he bridleth not his tongue but deceiveth his heart, this man's religion is vain. <a href="/gwt/james/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> If a person thinks that he is religious but can't control his tongue, he is fooling himself. That person's religion is worthless. <a href="/gnt/james/1.htm">Good News Translation</a> Do any of you think you are religious? If you do not control your tongue, your religion is worthless and you deceive yourself. <a href="/isv/james/1.htm">International Standard Version</a> If anyone thinks that he is religious and does not bridle his tongue, but instead deceives himself, his religion is worthless. <a href="/msb/james/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> If anyone among you considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless. <a href="/net/james/1.htm">NET Bible</a> If someone thinks he is religious yet does not bridle his tongue, and so deceives his heart, his religion is futile. <a href="/nheb/james/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> If anyone thinks himself to be religious while he does not control his tongue, but deceives his heart, this one's religion is worthless. <a href="/wbt/james/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> If any man among you seemeth to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. <a href="/wey/james/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> If a man thinks that he is scrupulously religious, although he is not curbing his tongue but is deceiving himself, his religious service is worthless. <a href="/web/james/1.htm">World English Bible</a> If anyone among you thinks himself to be religious while he doesn’t bridle his tongue, but deceives his heart, this man’s religion is worthless. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/james/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> If anyone thinks to be religious among you, not bridling his tongue, but deceiving his heart, the religion of this one [is] vain; <a href="/blb/james/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> If anyone seems to be religious, not bridling his tongue, but deceiving his heart, the religion of this one is worthless. <a href="/ylt/james/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> If any one doth think to be religious among you, not bridling his tongue, but deceiving his heart, of this one vain is the religion; <a href="/slt/james/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> If any among you seem to be religious, bridling not his tongue, but deceiving his heart, the religion of this one vain.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/james/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And if any man think himself to be religious, not bridling his tongue, but deceiving his own heart, this man's religion is vain. <a href="/cpdv/james/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But if anyone considers himself to be religious, but he does not restrain his tongue, but instead seduces his own heart: such a one’s religion is vanity. <a href="/nabre/james/1.htm">New American Bible</a> If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, his religion is vain. <a href="/nrsvce/james/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/james/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> If any man thinks that he ministers to God, and does not control his tongue, he deceives his own heart, and this man’s ministry is in vain. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/james/1.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And if a man thinks that he serves God, and does not hold his tongue, but deceives his heart, this person's service is worthless.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/james/1.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> If any one among you seems to be religious, and bridles not his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is vain. <a href="/godbey/james/1.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> But if any one seems to be religious, bridling not his own tongue, but deceiving his own heart, the religion of that man is vain. <a href="/haweis/james/1.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> If any man thinks he is a religious character among you, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man?s religion is vain. <a href="/mace/james/1.htm">Mace New Testament</a> If a person of an ungovernable tongue pretends to religion, he abuses himself: for his religion is meer illusion. <a href="/wey/james/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> If a man thinks that he is scrupulously religious, although he is not curbing his tongue but is deceiving himself, his religious service is worthless. <a href="/worrell/james/1.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> If anyone thinks that he is religious, while he bridles not his own tongue, but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is vain. <a href="/worsley/james/1.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> If any among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his heart, this man's devotion is vain. <a href="/parallel/james/1-26.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=213" 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> …25But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom, and continues to do so—not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer—he will be blessed in what he does. 26<a href="/greek/1487.htm" title="1487: Ei (Conj) -- If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.">If</a> <a href="/greek/5100.htm" title="5100: tis (IPro-NMS) -- Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.">anyone</a> <a href="/greek/1380.htm" title="1380: dokei (V-PIA-3S) -- A prolonged form of a primary verb, doko dok'-o of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem.">considers himself</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: einai (V-PNA) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist."></a> <a href="/greek/2357.htm" title="2357: thrēskos (Adj-NMS) -- Probably from the base of throeo; ceremonious in worship, i.e. Pious.">religious</a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether."></a> <a href="/greek/5468.htm" title="5468: chalinagōgōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- To bridle, curb, restrain, sway. From a compound of chalinos and the reduplicated form of ago; to be a bit-leader, i.e. To curb.">and yet does not bridle</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">his</a> <a href="/greek/1100.htm" title="1100: glōssan (N-AFS) -- The tongue; by implication, a language.">tongue,</a> <a href="/greek/235.htm" title="235: alla (Conj) -- But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise."></a> <a href="/greek/538.htm" title="538: apatōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- To deceive, cheat, lead into error. Of uncertain derivation; to cheat, i.e. Delude.">he deceives</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">his</a> <a href="/greek/2588.htm" title="2588: kardian (N-AFS) -- Prolonged from a primary kar; the heart, i.e. the thoughts or feelings; also the middle.">heart</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: toutou (DPro-GMS) -- This; he, she, it. ">and his</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2356.htm" title="2356: thrēskeia (N-NFS) -- From a derivative of threskos; ceremonial observance.">religion</a> <a href="/greek/3152.htm" title="3152: mataios (Adj-NFS) -- Vain, unreal, ineffectual, unproductive; practically: godless. From the base of maten; empty, i.e. profitless, or, an idol.">is worthless.</a> 27Pure 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.…<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/12-36.htm">Matthew 12:36-37</a> But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. / For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” <a href="/proverbs/21-23.htm">Proverbs 21:23</a> He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress. <a href="/ephesians/4-29.htm">Ephesians 4:29</a> Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen. <a href="/proverbs/10-19.htm">Proverbs 10:19</a> When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise. <a href="/matthew/15-11.htm">Matthew 15:11</a> A man is not defiled by what enters his mouth, but by what comes out of it.” <a href="/1_peter/3-10.htm">1 Peter 3:10</a> For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. <a href="/proverbs/13-3.htm">Proverbs 13:3</a> He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin. <a href="/colossians/3-8.htm">Colossians 3:8</a> But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. <a href="/proverbs/17-27.htm">Proverbs 17:27-28</a> A man of knowledge restrains his words, and a man of understanding maintains a calm spirit. / Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue. <a href="/psalms/34-13.htm">Psalm 34:13</a> Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech. <a href="/luke/6-45.htm">Luke 6:45</a> The good man brings good things out of the good treasure of his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil treasure of his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. <a href="/proverbs/18-21.htm">Proverbs 18:21</a> Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. <a href="/titus/3-2.htm">Titus 3:2</a> to malign no one, and to be peaceable and gentle, showing full consideration to everyone. <a href="/proverbs/15-1.htm">Proverbs 15:1-2</a> A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. / The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly. <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-2.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:2-3</a> Do not be quick to speak, and do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God. For God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few. / As a dream comes through many cares, so the speech of a fool comes with many words.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridles not his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is vain.seem.<a href="/proverbs/14-12.htm">Proverbs 14:12</a> There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.<a href="/proverbs/16-25.htm">Proverbs 16:25</a> There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.<a href="/luke/8-18.htm">Luke 8:18</a> Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.bridleth.<a href="/james/1-19.htm">James 1:19</a> Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:<a href="/james/3-2.htm">James 3:2-6</a> For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body… <a href="/psalms/32-9.htm">Psalm 32:9</a> Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.but.<a href="/james/1-22.htm">James 1:22</a> But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.<a href="/deuteronomy/11-16.htm">Deuteronomy 11:16</a> Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;<a href="/isaiah/44-20.htm">Isaiah 44:20</a> He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?this.<a href="/james/2-20.htm">James 2:20</a> But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?<a href="/isaiah/1-13.htm">Isaiah 1:13</a> Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.<a href="/malachi/3-14.htm">Malachi 3:14</a> Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/james/1-24.htm">Although</a> <a href="/isaiah/37-29.htm">Bridle</a> <a href="/romans/14-14.htm">Considers</a> <a href="/hebrews/2-8.htm">Control</a> <a href="/john/11-33.htm">Curbing</a> <a href="/2_thessalonians/2-10.htm">Deceives</a> <a href="/galatians/6-3.htm">Deceiveth</a> <a href="/james/1-22.htm">Deceiving</a> <a href="/james/1-6.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-3.htm">Lets</a> <a href="/psalms/50-19.htm">Rein</a> <a href="/titus/1-1.htm">Religion</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-11.htm">Religious</a> <a href="/hebrews/13-9.htm">Scrupulously</a> <a href="/james/1-7.htm">Seem</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-11.htm">Seemeth</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-11.htm">Seems</a> <a href="/philippians/3-4.htm">Thinketh</a> <a href="/philippians/3-4.htm">Thinks</a> <a href="/jeremiah/50-33.htm">Tight</a> <a href="/philippians/2-11.htm">Tongue</a> <a href="/1_timothy/2-14.htm">Tricked</a> <a href="/titus/3-9.htm">Vain</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-8.htm">Worthless</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/james/2-11.htm">Although</a> <a href="/james/3-2.htm">Bridle</a> <a href="/job/33-10.htm">Considers</a> <a href="/james/3-3.htm">Control</a> <a href="/john/11-33.htm">Curbing</a> <a href="/1_john/3-7.htm">Deceives</a> <a href="/revelation/12-9.htm">Deceiveth</a> <a href="/1_john/1-8.htm">Deceiving</a> <a href="/james/3-14.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/exodus/11-1.htm">Lets</a> <a href="/job/10-1.htm">Rein</a> <a href="/james/1-27.htm">Religion</a> <a href="/james/1-27.htm">Religious</a> <a href="/acts/21-24.htm">Scrupulously</a> <a href="/james/4-5.htm">Seem</a> <a href="/leviticus/14-35.htm">Seemeth</a> <a href="/2_peter/1-13.htm">Seems</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-27.htm">Thinketh</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/29-19.htm">Thinks</a> <a href="/genesis/20-18.htm">Tight</a> <a href="/james/3-5.htm">Tongue</a> <a href="/genesis/3-13.htm">Tricked</a> <a href="/james/2-20.htm">Vain</a> <a href="/james/2-20.htm">Worthless</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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/james/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/james/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/james/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>If anyone considers himself religious This phrase addresses those who identify as devout or pious, suggesting a self-assessment of one's faithfulness. In the Jewish context of James's audience, being "religious" would involve adherence to the Law and participation in temple rituals. The term "religious" here implies outward expressions of faith, which can be seen in practices such as prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. This echoes Jesus' teachings in <a href="/matthew/6.htm">Matthew 6</a>, where He warns against practicing righteousness before others to be seen by them.and yet does not bridle his tongue The imagery of "bridling" suggests control and restraint, akin to how a bridle is used to guide a horse. The tongue, representing speech, is a recurring theme in James, notably in <a href="/james/3.htm">James 3:1-12</a>, where it is described as a small part of the body that can cause great harm. The cultural context of the time valued wisdom and speech, as seen in Proverbs, which frequently advises on the power of words. This phrase underscores the importance of self-control, a fruit of the Spirit mentioned in <a href="/galatians/5-22.htm">Galatians 5:22-23</a>.he deceives his heart Deception of the heart implies a self-delusion, where one's internal beliefs do not align with their external actions. The heart, in biblical terms, is the center of one's being, encompassing mind, will, and emotions. <a href="/jeremiah/17-9.htm">Jeremiah 17:9</a> speaks of the heart as deceitful, highlighting the need for divine guidance. This phrase warns against the danger of self-deception, where one might believe they are righteous while their actions suggest otherwise.and his religion is worthless The term "worthless" indicates something without value or effect. In the context of James's epistle, which emphasizes practical faith, this statement challenges the notion that mere outward religiosity is sufficient. This aligns with Jesus' rebuke of the Pharisees in <a href="/matthew/23.htm">Matthew 23</a>, where He criticizes their focus on external rituals while neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness. The call here is for a faith that is genuine and transformative, reflecting the teachings of Christ, who emphasized the heart's condition over mere ritual compliance.<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 is known for his practical approach to Christian living. 2. <a href="/topical/e/early_christian_communities.htm">Early Christian Communities</a> The recipients of the letter, likely Jewish Christians scattered outside of Jerusalem, facing trials and needing guidance on living out their faith. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_tongue.htm">The Tongue</a> A metaphorical reference to speech and the power of words, which James frequently addresses in his epistle.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_self-control.htm">The Importance of Self-Control</a> The Greek word for "bridle" (chalinag?ge?) implies control and restraint. Just as a bridle directs a horse, believers must direct their speech with intentionality and discipline. <a href="/topical/t/the_deception_of_the_heart.htm">The Deception of the Heart</a> Without control over one's speech, a person deceives themselves. The heart, in biblical terms, is the center of one's being, and self-deception leads to a false sense of spirituality. <a href="/topical/t/the_worthlessness_of_unbridled_religion.htm">The Worthlessness of Unbridled Religion</a> Religion that does not transform behavior, particularly speech, is considered "worthless" (mataios), meaning futile or ineffective. True faith should manifest in practical holiness. <a href="/topical/s/speech_as_a_reflection_of_faith.htm">Speech as a Reflection of Faith</a> Our words are a direct reflection of our inner spiritual state. Consistent, godly speech is evidence of a mature and genuine faith. <a href="/topical/p/practical_steps_for_bridling_the_tongue.htm">Practical Steps for Bridling the Tongue</a> Engage in regular self-examination and prayer for the Holy Spirit's help in controlling speech. Practice active listening and thoughtful responses, ensuring words are edifying and truthful.<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/what_does_the_bible_say_about_demons.htm">How do words influence life and relationships?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_bible's_stance_on_gossip.htm">What is the Bible's stance on gossip?</a> <a href="/q/psalm_141_3__science_behind_speech_guard.htm">Psalm 141:3 – What scientific or psychological basis supports the metaphor of God acting as a literal guard over someone’s speech? </a> <a href="/q/how_do_words_shape_life_and_bonds.htm">How do words influence life and relationships?</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>(26) But St. James has thus far dilated only on the first part of his advice in <a href="/james/1-19.htm" title="Why, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:">James 1:19</a>, "Let every man be swift to hear"; now he must enforce the remaining clause, "slow to speak."If any man among you seem to be religious . . .--Better, If any one imagine himself to be religious, not bridling his tongue, but deceiving his own heart, this man's religion is vain. The sense of the Greek is slightly obscured by the English version. "If any man . . . seem"--i.e., to himself, and not to others merely; the warning is not to the hypocrite, but the self-deceived. A Christian may have, or rather cannot help having, the feeling that he is a religious man; and so far well. But if such a one deceive his own heart, as confessedly he may, and give to those around him the proof of his self-delusion in not curbing his tongue, vain and useless is all his religious service. Just as some mistakenly suppose there can be a religion of hearing without acting, so others rest satisfied "in outward acts of worship, or exactness of ritual." "But," remarks Bishop Moberly on this passage, and his voice may win an audience where another's would not, "if a man think himself a true worshipper because he conforms to outward services, while he lets his tongue loose in untruth or unkindness or other unseemliness, he deceives himself." The first mark of true religion is gentleness of tongue, just as the contrary, blasphemy, is the most damning fault of all. Our Lord directly says, "By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned" (<a href="/matthew/12-37.htm" title="For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned.">Matthew 12:37</a>). The text, however, is more a guide for self-examination than a stone to be cast at a neighbour; and "well is" it indeed for "him that hath not slipped with his tongue" (<a href="//apocrypha.org/ecclesiasticus/25-8.htm" title="Well is him that dwelleth with a wife of understanding, and that hath not slipped with his tongue, and that hath not served a man more unworthy than himself:">Ecclesiasticus 25:8</a>).The Apostle returns to this subject, though from a different point of view, in James 3, which compare with the above. The best commentary on the whole is Bishop Butler's Sermon, No. IV., "Upon the Government of the Tongue."<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/james/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 26. - Seem (δοκεῖ); seems to himself rather than to others; translate, with R.V., thinketh himself to be. Vulgate, Si quis Putat se esse. Religious (θρῆσκος). It is difficult to find an English word which exactly answers to the Greek. The noun θρησκεία refers properly to the external rites of religion, and so gets to signify an over-scrupulous devotion to external forms (Lightfoot on <a href="/colossians/2-18.htm">Colossians 2:18</a>); almost "ritualism." It is the ceremonial service of religion, the external forms, a body of which εὐσεβεία is the informing soul. Thus the θρῆσκος (the word apparently only occurs here in the whole range of Greek literature) is the diligent performer of Divine offices, of the outward service of God, but not necessarily anything more. This depreciatory sense of θρησκεία ισ well seen in a passage of Philo ('Quod Det. Pot. 'Jus.,' 7), where, after speaking of some who would fain be counted among the εὐλαβεῖς on the score of diverse washings or costly offerings to the temple, he proceeds: Πεπλάνηται γὰρ καὶ οϋτος τῆς πρὸς εὐσεβείαν ὁδοῦ θρησκείαν ἀντὶ ὁσιότητος ἡγούμενος (see Trench on 'Synonyms,' from whom the reference is here taken). "How delicate and fine, then, St. James's choice of θρῆσκος and θρησκεία! 'If any man,' he would say, 'seem to himself to be θρῆσκος, a diligent observer of the offices of religion, if any man would render a pure and undefiled θρησκεία to God, let him know that this consists, not in outward lustrations or ceremonial observances; nay, that there is a better θρησκεία than thousands of rams and rivers of oil, namely, to do justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with his God (<a href="/micah/6-7.htm">Micah 6:7, 8</a>); or, according to his own words, ' to visit the widows and orphans in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world'" (Trench on 'Synonyms,' p. 170: the whole passage will well repay study. Reference should also be made to Coleridge, 'Aids to Reflection,' p. 15). Bridleth not (μὴ χαλιναγωγῶν). The thought is developed more fully afterwards (see <a href="/james/3-2.htm">James 3:2</a>, etc., and for the word, cf. Polyc., 'Ad Philippians,' c.v.). <a href="/commentaries/james/1-26.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>If Εἴ (Ei) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1487.htm">Strong's 1487: </a> If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. anyone τις (tis) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5100.htm">Strong's 5100: </a> Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object. considers himself δοκεῖ (dokei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1380.htm">Strong's 1380: </a> A prolonged form of a primary verb, doko dok'-o of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem. religious θρησκὸς (thrēskos) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2357.htm">Strong's 2357: </a> Probably from the base of throeo; ceremonious in worship, i.e. Pious. [and yet] does not bridle χαλιναγωγῶν (chalinagōgōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5468.htm">Strong's 5468: </a> To bridle, curb, restrain, sway. From a compound of chalinos and the reduplicated form of ago; to be a bit-leader, i.e. To curb. his αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <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. tongue, γλῶσσαν (glōssan) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1100.htm">Strong's 1100: </a> The tongue; by implication, a language. he deceives ἀπατῶν (apatōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_538.htm">Strong's 538: </a> To deceive, cheat, lead into error. Of uncertain derivation; to cheat, i.e. Delude. his αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <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. heart καρδίαν (kardian) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2588.htm">Strong's 2588: </a> Prolonged from a primary kar; the heart, i.e. the thoughts or feelings; also the middle. [and his] τούτου (toutou) Demonstrative Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> This; he, she, it. religion θρησκεία (thrēskeia) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2356.htm">Strong's 2356: </a> From a derivative of threskos; ceremonial observance. [is] worthless. μάταιος (mataios) Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3152.htm">Strong's 3152: </a> Vain, unreal, ineffectual, unproductive; practically: godless. From the base of maten; empty, i.e. profitless, or, an idol. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/james/1-26.htm">James 1:26 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/james/1-26.htm">James 1:26 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/james/1-26.htm">James 1:26 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/james/1-26.htm">James 1:26 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/james/1-26.htm">James 1:26 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/james/1-26.htm">James 1:26 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/james/1-26.htm">James 1:26 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/james/1-26.htm">James 1:26 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/james/1-26.htm">James 1:26 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/james/1-26.htm">James 1:26 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/james/1-26.htm">NT Letters: James 1:26 If anyone among you thinks himself (Ja Jas. Jam) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/james/1-25.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="James 1:25"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="James 1:25" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/james/1-27.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="James 1:27"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="James 1:27" /></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>