The pure and uncontaminated religion before God and Father is this: visit the orphans and widows in their affliction, and keep oneself unspotted from the world.
1:27 — “Pure religion… is this.” The phrase “pure and spotless” is the antithesis of the word “vain” (1:26). Pure and unblemished religion combines foreign service with good works of benevolence (Eph 2:10; Tit 2:14; Tit 3:8; 1Jn 3:17-18) and purity of life. — “before God the Father.” This phrase emphasizes the norm that determines the pure and unblemished religion. Compare 1Ti 2:3; Gal 3:11; Gal 2:1-21 Thessalonians 1:6. Acting according to our own norm is voluntary worship (that is, of the will of oneself) (Col 2:23). James is not saying that the whole of pure and unblemished religion consists of the two things mentioned here. Nothing else illustrates it, positively and then negatively. He puts a part for the whole. The point is that there is more to the religion that God accepts than outward service and profession. It is practical and affects every relationship of man with God and with men. There are things to do and to avoid (and not just to hear). — “visit the orphans… tribulations.” “Visiting” does not mean a social visit, but the act of seeing to one’s needs, alleviating them. (contrast Luke 20:47 with this verse). This use of “visit” is note in Jer 23:2; Zech 11:16Y Matt 25:36; Matt 25:43. God is the Father of such (Ps 68:5) and naturally his religion requires such benevolence towards them. see also Deuteronomy 10:18; 14:29; Ps 10:14; Ps 82:3; Isaiah 1:17; Jer 49:11; Y Hos 14:3. Denominational churches rely on such texts as this to justify their “social gospel,” that is, their works of social improvement and relief. They ignore the simple fact that this verse (like the others in this context) deals with the responsibilities of the individual. Some churches of Christ, mostly since World War II, have erected orphanages and nursing homes, putting their management under the elders of the so-called “sponsor” churches, while many others have opted as more biblical to send subsidy to human institutions (under boards composed of brothers in faith) so that they do the work of benevolence. They make the same mistake as the sectarians: namely, taking a passage addressed to the individual, and applying it to the collectivity (the local church, or congregation). In the section from verse 19 to 27 James addresses “every man”, “yourselves”, “some”, “he”, “this”, etc. Reference is made only to individual liability. Some liberal brothers argue thus: “Jas 1:27 tells us what to do; that is, take care of orphans and widows, and that 1Ti 5:16 it tells us who is to do it; that is, the church.” This is playing with the scriptures. James 1:27 it tells us both: what and who! It is the individual Christian who must have pure and unblemished religion. Liberals find “orphans and widows” in Jas 1:27and “widows and church” in 1Ti 5:16. Of Jas 1:27 take out an orphan, and from 1Ti 5:16, church, and then conclude that churches of Christ should send donations to benevolent institutions so that they take charge of doing what is said to be “the work of the church”! How they twist the Scriptures! There is no New Testament passage that speaks of institutional benevolence on the part of churches of Christ through funds taken from their treasuries. — “and keep yourself unspotted from the world.” Why don’t the liberal brethren apply this part of the verse to the community? It is more than obvious that James continues to refer to individual responsibilities. The Greek word aspilos (without blemish) also appears in 1Ti 6:14; 1Pe 1:19; 2Pe 3:14. Compare Eph 5:27. The “world” here referred to is the sphere of evil, the society without God and of sin (2Pe 1:4). see 4:4; 1Jn 2:15Y Romans 12:2. He who claims to be a Christian, then, upon hearing what God says through his Word, will seek to put it into action, in the observance of outward service, of benevolence towards others, and of abstaining from carnal desires.
Source: Commentary on the New Testament by Partain
pure religion. Jas 3:17; Ps 119:1; Matt 5:8; Luke 1:6; 1Ti 1:5; 1Ti 5:4.
visit the orphans. Job 29:12, Job 29:13; Job 31:15-20; Ps 68:5; Isaiah 1:16, Isaiah 1:17; Isaiah 58:6, Isaiah 58:7; Matt 25:34-46; Gal 5:6; Gal 6:9, Gal 6:10; 1Jn 3:17-19.
keep yourself unspotted from the world. Jas 4:4; Joh 17:14, Joh 17:15; Romans 12:2; Gal 1:4; Gal 6:14; Col 3:1-3; 1Jn 2:15-17; 1Jn 5:4, 1Jn 5:5, 1Jn 5:18.
Source: The Treasury of Biblical Knowledge
THE PURE AND SINCERE RELIGION. James gives two principles that define the content of true Christianity:
(1) True love to those in need. In NT days, orphans and widows had little means of support of their own; they often had no tutor or help. Believers were expected to show them the same care and love that God has for orphans and widows (see Deu 10:18; Deu 24:17note; Ps 68:5note; Ps 146:9). Today among the brothers in Christ there are those who need attention and affection. Alleviation of their sufferings should be sought and in this way show them that God loves them (see Luke 7:13note, cf. Gal 6:10; see ARTICLE CARING FOR THE POOR AND NEEDY, P. 1196. ).
(2) Constant holiness before God. James says that love for others must be accompanied by love for God that the believer manifests by separating himself from the sinful customs of the world. Love for others must be accompanied by holiness before God for it to be Christian love.
Source: Full Life Study Bible
Pure religion without blemish. Santiago selects two synonymous adjectives to define the most uncorrupted type of religious faith, that which is measured according to compassionate love (cp. Joh 13:35). to orphans and widows. Those left without fathers or husbands are much needed members in any church (see notes on 1Ti 5:3; zip Exo 22:22; Deu 14:28-29; Ps 68:5; Jer 7:6-7; Jer 22:16; Acts 6:1-6). Since almost all of them are unable to return the favor, any care given to them clearly demonstrates true and sacrificial Christian love. world. The world’s evil system (see notes on Jas 4:4; 1Jn 2:15).
Source: MacArthur Study Bible
1:27 — “The pure religion… is this.” The phrase “pure and without blemish” is the antithesis of the word “vain” (1:26).
Pure and spotless religion combines outward service with good works of benevolence (Eph 2:10; Tit 2:14; Tit 3:8; 1Jn 3:17-18) and purity of life.
– “before God the Father.” This phrase emphasizes the norm that determines the pure and unblemished religion. Compare 1Ti 2:3; Gal 3:11; Gal 2:1-21 Thessalonians 1:6. Acting according to our own standard is voluntary worship (that is, of the will of oneself) (Col 2:23).
James is not saying that the whole of pure and unblemished religion consists of the two things mentioned here. Nothing else illustrates it, positively and then negatively. He puts a part for the whole. The point is that there is more to the religion that God accepts than outward service and profession. It is practical and affects every relationship of man with God and with men. There are things to do and to avoid (and not just to hear).
–“visit the orphans… tribulations”. “Visiting” does not mean a social visit, but the act of seeing to one’s needs, alleviating them. (Contrast Luke 20:47 with this verse). This use of “visit” is noted in Jer 23:2; Zec 11:16, and Matt 25:36; Matt 25:43.
God is the Father of such (Ps 68:5) and naturally the religion that is his requires such benevolence towards them. See also Deuteronomy 10:18; 14:29; Ps 10:14; Ps 82:3; Isaiah 1:17; Jer 49:11; and Hos 14:3.
Denominational churches rely on such texts as this to justify their “social gospel,” that is, their works of social improvement and relief. They ignore the simple fact that this verse (like the others in this context) deals with the responsibilities of the individual.
Some churches of Christ, mostly since World War II, have erected orphanages and nursing homes, putting their management under the elders of the so-called “sponsor” churches, while many others have opted as more biblical to send subsidy to human institutions (under boards composed of brothers in faith) so that they do the work of benevolence. They make the same mistake as the sectarians: namely, taking a passage addressed to the individual, and applying it to the collectivity (the local church, or congregation).
In the section from verse 19 to 27 James addresses “every man”, “yourselves”, “some”, “he”, “this”, etc. Reference is made only to individual responsibility.
Some liberal brethren argue like this: “Jas 1:27 tells us what to do; that is, to take care of orphans and widows, and that 1Ti 5:16 tells us who is to do it; that is, the church.” This is playing with the scriptures. James 1:27 tells us both: what and who! It is the individual Christian who must have pure and unblemished religion. Liberals find “orphans and widows” in Jas 1:27, and “widows and church” in 1Ti 5:16. From Jas 1:27 they take orphan, and from 1Ti 5:16, church, and then conclude that churches of Christ should send donations to benevolent institutions so that they take charge of doing what is said to be “the work of the church” ! How they twist the Scriptures! There is no New Testament passage that speaks of institutional benevolence on the part of churches of Christ through funds taken from their treasuries.
–“and keep yourself unspotted from the world”. Why don’t the liberal brethren apply this part of the verse to the community? It is more than obvious that James continues to refer to individual responsibilities.
The Greek word aspilos (without blemish) also appears in 1Ti 6:14; 1Pe 1:19; 2Pe 3:14. Compare Eph 5:27.
The “world” here referred to is the sphere of evil, the society without God and of sin (2Pe 1:4). See 4:4; 1Jn 2:15, and Rom 12:2.
He who claims to be a Christian, then, upon hearing what God says through his Word, will try to put it into action, in the observance of external service, of benevolence towards others, and of abstaining from carnal desires.
Source: Reeves-Partain Notes
— weak and helpless: Lit. orphans and widows. It is the classic binomial used in the Bible to designate those who have no one to defend them (see Exo 22:22; Deu 10:18; Deu 24:17; Deu 27:19; Isaiah 1:17; Ps 68:5; Ps 146:9; etc.).
— world: Here it has the pejorative meaning of reality facing God, so present in the writings of John (Joh 15:18-19; Joh 16:8; Joh 16:33; Joh 17:9; Joh 14:25; 1Jn 2:15-17).
Source: Hispano-American Interdenominational Translation
Isaiah 1:11-17; Isaiah 1:23; Jer 5:28; Eze 22:7; Zech 7:10.
Source: Hispano-American Interdenominational Translation
GRADES
(1) “Form of worship.” Gr., thre skei a; lat.: re li gi o, “religion.”
(2) Or:…