Go
Articles on

James 1

James 1:27 KJV (With Strong’s)

+
27
Pure
katharos (Greek #2513)
clean (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: clean, clear, pure.
Pronounce: kath-ar-os'
Origin: of uncertain affinity
religion
threskeia (Greek #2356)
ceremonial observance
KJV usage: religion, worshipping.
Pronounce: thrace-ki'-ah
Origin: from a derivative of 2357
and
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
undefiled
amiantos (Greek #283)
unsoiled, i.e. (figuratively) pure
KJV usage: undefiled.
Pronounce: am-ee'-an-tos
Origin: from 1 (as a negative particle) and a derivative of 3392
before
para (Greek #3844)
properly, near; i.e. (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subjectively), (with accusative case) to the proximity with (local (especially beyond or opposed to) or causal (on account of)
KJV usage: above, against, among, at, before, by, contrary to, X friend, from, + give (such things as they), + that (she) had, X his, in, more than, nigh unto, (out) of, past, save, side...by, in the sight of, than, (there-)fore, with. In compounds it retains the same variety of application.
Pronounce: par-ah'
Origin: a primary preposition
God
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
theos (Greek #2316)
a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very
KJV usage: X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).
Pronounce: theh'-os
Origin: of uncertain affinity
and
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
the Father
pater (Greek #3962)
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
KJV usage: father, parent.
Pronounce: pat-ayr'
Origin: apparently a primary word
is
esti (Greek #2076)
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
KJV usage: are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.
Pronounce: es-tee'
Origin: third person singular present indicative of 1510
this
houtos (Greek #3778)
the he (she or it), i.e. this or that (often with article repeated)
KJV usage: he (it was that), hereof, it, she, such as, the same, these, they, this (man, same, woman), which, who.
Pronounce: hoo'-tos
Origin: οὗτοι (hoo'-toy), nominative feminine singular αὕτη (how'-tay), and nominative feminine plural αὕται (how'-tahee) from the article 3588 and 846
, To visit
episkeptomai (Greek #1980)
to inspect, i.e. (by implication) to select; by extension, to go to see, relieve
KJV usage: look out, visit.
Pronounce: ep-ee-skep'-tom-ahee
Origin: middle voice from 1909 and the base of 4649
p the fatherless
orphanos (Greek #3737)
bereaved ("orphan"), i.e. parentless
KJV usage: comfortless, fatherless.
Pronounce: or-fan-os'
Origin: of uncertain affinity
and
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
widows
chera (Greek #5503)
a widow (as lacking a husband), literally or figuratively
KJV usage: widow.
Pronounce: khay'-rah
Origin: feminine of a presumed derivative apparently from the base of 5490 through the idea of deficiency
in
en (Greek #1722)
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
KJV usage: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
Pronounce: en
Origin: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537)
their
autos (Greek #846)
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
KJV usage: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare 848.
Pronounce: ow-tos'
Origin: from the particle αὖ (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward)
affliction
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
thlipsis (Greek #2347)
pressure (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: afflicted(-tion), anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble.
Pronounce: thlip'-sis
Origin: from 2346
, and to keep
tereo (Greek #5083)
to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from 5442, which is properly to prevent escaping; and from 2892, which implies a fortress or full military lines of apparatus), i.e. to note (a prophecy; figuratively, to fulfil a command); by implication, to detain (in custody; figuratively, to maintain); by extension, to withhold (for personal ends; figuratively, to keep unmarried); by extension, to withhold (for personal ends; figuratively, to keep unmarried)
KJV usage: hold fast, keep(- er), (pre-, re-)serve, watch.
Pronounce: tay-reh'-o
Origin: from τερός (a watch; perhaps akin to 2334)
himself
heautou (Greek #1438)
him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other persons) my-, thy-, our-, your-) self (selves), etc.
KJV usage: alone, her (own, -self), (he) himself, his (own), itself, one (to) another, our (thine) own(-selves), + that she had, their (own, own selves), (of) them(-selves), they, thyself, you, your (own, own conceits, own selves, -selves).
Pronounce: heh-ow-too'
Origin: from a reflexive pronoun otherwise obsolete and the genitive case (dative case or accusative case) of 846
unspotted
aspilos (Greek #784)
unblemished (physically or morally)
KJV usage: without spot, unspotted.
Pronounce: as'-pee-los
Origin: from 1 (as a negative particle) and 4695
q from
apo (Greek #575)
"off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
KJV usage: (X here-)after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for(-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-)on(-ce), since, with. In composition (as a prefix) it usually denotes separation, departure, cessation, completion, reversal, etc.
Pronounce: apo'
Origin: a primary particle
the world
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
kosmos (Greek #2889)
orderly arrangement, i.e. decoration; by implication, the world (in a wide or narrow sense, including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))
KJV usage: adorning, world.
Pronounce: kos'-mos
Origin: probably from the base of 2865
.
p
Isa. 1:16‑17• 16Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;
 17Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. (Isa. 1:16‑17)
;
Isa. 58:6‑7• 6Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
 7Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? (Isa. 58:6‑7)
q
Rom. 12:2• 2And 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. (Rom. 12:2)

More on:

+
Father,
God,
Religion; Religious,
The World,
Widow

Cross References

+

Ministry on This Verse

+
Pure.
James 3:17• 17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. (James 3:17)
;
Psa. 119:1• 1ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. (Psa. 119:1)
;
Matt. 5:8• 8Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. (Matt. 5:8)
;
Luke 1:6• 6And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. (Luke 1:6)
;
1 Tim. 1:5• 5Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: (1 Tim. 1:5)
;
1 Tim. 5:4• 4But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to show piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. (1 Tim. 5:4)
To visit.
Job 29:12‑13• 12Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him.
 13The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. (Job 29:12‑13)
;
Job 31:15‑20• 15Did not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not one fashion us in the womb?
 16If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail;
 17Or have eaten my morsel myself alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof;
 18(For from my youth he was brought up with me, as with a father, and I have guided her from my mother's womb;)
 19If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering;
 20If his loins have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep; (Job 31:15‑20)
;
Psa. 68:5• 5A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation. (Psa. 68:5)
;
Isa. 1:16‑17• 16Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;
 17Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. (Isa. 1:16‑17)
;
Isa. 58:6‑7• 6Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
 7Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? (Isa. 58:6‑7)
;
Matt. 25:34‑46• 34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
 35For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
 36Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
 37Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
 38When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
 39Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
 40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
 41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
 42For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
 43I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
 44Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
 45Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
 46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. (Matt. 25:34‑46)
;
Gal. 5:6• 6For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. (Gal. 5:6)
;
Gal. 6:9‑10• 9And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
 10As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. (Gal. 6:9‑10)
;
1 John 3:17‑19• 17But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
 18My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
 19And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. (1 John 3:17‑19)
to keep.
James 4:4• 4Ye 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. (James 4:4)
;
John 17:14‑15• 14I 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.
 15I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. (John 17:14‑15)
;
Rom. 12:2• 2And 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. (Rom. 12:2)
;
Gal. 1:4• 4Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: (Gal. 1:4)
;
Gal. 6:14• 14But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. (Gal. 6:14)
;
Col. 3:1‑3• 1If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
 2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
 3For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. (Col. 3:1‑3)
;
1 John 2:15‑17• 15Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
 16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
 17And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. (1 John 2:15‑17)
;
1 John 5:4‑5,18• 4For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
 5Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
 18We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. (1 John 5:4‑5,18)
• Instead of striving to exalt oneself and gain reputation in a world of vanity, afar from God, our activities turn, as God does, to the sorrowful, who in their affliction need succor; and we keep ourselves from a world in which everything is defiling. (“James 1” by J.N. Darby)
• Pure religion will manifest itself not in words, but in practice. (“The Practical Christian Life: James 1” by H. Smith)
• We may do many good works and yet be hand in hand with the world. Or we may be very separate from the world but lack the practical good works. (“The Practical Christian Life: James 1” by H. Smith)
• He who visits the fatherless and the widows in their affliction will not find much to minister to the importance or the convenience of self. He will have to be continually ministering instead of finding that which will minister to himself. (“James 1” by F.B. Hole)
• {unspotted from the world} The true Christian does not wallow in the mire. Quite true! But if he practices pure religion he goes further. He walks so apart from the miry place that not even splashes of the mud reach him. (“James 1” by F.B. Hole)

J. N. Darby Translation

+
27
Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Fatherh is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

JND Translation Notes

+
h
Or "God the Father," Lit. "God and Father."

W. Kelly Translation

+
27
A religious servicea pure and undefiled before him that is Godb and Father is this, to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, to keep himself unspotted from the world.

WK Translation Notes

+
a
The word "thrēskeia" is distinct from eusebeia "piety," it means the outward service of God, which "religion" inadequately expresses, though it is hard to find a better. Here it is well to note this, lest ignorance should treat the verse as a definition of true "religion," as men speak. The meaning is, that this is a pure and unsullied service before Him who is God and Father: to visit orphans and widows, etc.
b
There is ancient and excellent authority for omitting the article, which if used would give a characteristic force, "before a God and Father." In either case "our" goes too far.