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James 1

James 1:27 KJV (With Strong’s)

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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, gladden the oppressed, do justice to the fatherless, plead for the widow. (Isa. 1:16‑17)
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Isa. 58:6‑7• 6Is not this the fast which I have chosen: to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the thongs of the yoke, and to send forth free the crushed, and that ye break every yoke?
 7Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring to thy house the needy wanderers; 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 transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Rom. 12:2)

More on:

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

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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Pure.
James 3:17• 17But the wisdom from above first is pure, then peaceful, gentle, yielding, full of mercy and good fruits, unquestioning, unfeigned. (James 3:17)
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Psa. 119:1• 1ALEPH. Blessed are the perfect in the way, who walk in the law of Jehovah. (Psa. 119:1)
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Matt. 5:8• 8Blessed the pure in heart, for *they* shall see God. (Matt. 5:8)
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Luke 1:6• 6And they were both just before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. (Luke 1:6)
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1 Tim. 1:5• 5But the end of what is enjoined is love out of a pure heart and a good conscience and unfeigned faith; (1 Tim. 1:5)
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1 Tim. 5:4• 4but if any widow have children or descendants, let them learn first to be pious as regards their own house, and to render a return on their side to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God. (1 Tim. 5:4)
To visit.
Job 29:12‑13• 12For I delivered the afflicted that cried, and the fatherless who had no helper.
 13The blessing of him that was perishing came upon me, and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. (Job 29:12‑13)
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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 caused the eyes of the widow to fail;
 17Or have eaten my morsel alone, so that the fatherless ate not thereof,
 18(For from my youth he grew up with me as with a father, and I have guided the widow from my mother's womb;)
 19If I have seen any perishing for want of clothing, or any needy without covering;
 20If his loins have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my lambs; (Job 31:15‑20)
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Psa. 68:5• 5A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation. (Psa. 68:5)
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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, gladden the oppressed, do justice to the fatherless, plead for the widow. (Isa. 1:16‑17)
;
Isa. 58:6‑7• 6Is not this the fast which I have chosen: to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the thongs of the yoke, and to send forth free the crushed, and that ye break every yoke?
 7Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring to thy house the needy wanderers; when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? (Isa. 58:6‑7)
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Matt. 25:34‑46• 34Then shall the King say to those on his right hand, Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the world's foundation:
 35for I hungered, and ye gave me to eat; I thirsted, and ye gave me to drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in;
 36naked, and ye clothed me; I was ill, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came to me.
 37Then shall the righteous answer him saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungering, and nourished thee; or thirsting, and gave thee to drink?
 38and when saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in; or naked, and clothed thee?
 39and when saw we thee ill, or in prison, and came to thee?
 40And the King answering shall say to them, Verily, I say to you, Inasmuch as ye have done it to one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it to me.
 41Then shall he say also to those on the left, Go from me, cursed, into eternal fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
 42for I hungered, and ye gave me not to eat; I thirsted, and ye gave me not to drink;
 43I was a stranger, and ye took me not in; naked, and ye did not clothe me; ill, and in prison, and ye did not visit me.
 44Then shall *they* also answer saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungering, or thirsting, or a stranger, or naked, or ill, or in prison, and have not ministered to thee?
 45Then shall he answer them saying, Verily I say to you, Inasmuch as ye have not done it to one of these least, neither have ye done it to me.
 46And these shall go away into eternal punishment, and the righteous into life eternal. (Matt. 25:34‑46)
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Gal. 5:6• 6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision has any force, nor uncircumcision; but faith working through love. (Gal. 5:6)
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Gal. 6:9‑10• 9but let us not lose heart in doing good; for in due time, if we do not faint, we shall reap.
 10So then, as we have occasion, let us do good towards all, and specially towards those of the household of faith. (Gal. 6:9‑10)
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1 John 3:17‑19• 17But whoso may have the world's substance, and see his brother having need, and shut up his bowels from him, how abides the love of God in him?
 18Children, let us not love with word, nor with tongue, but in deed and in truth.
 19And hereby we shall know that we are of the truth, and shall persuade our hearts before him-- (1 John 3:17‑19)
to keep.
James 4:4• 4Adulteresses, know ye not that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore is minded to be the friend of the world is constituted enemy of God. (James 4:4)
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John 17:14‑15• 14I have given them thy word, and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, as I am not of the world.
 15I do not demand that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them out of evil. (John 17:14‑15)
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Rom. 12:2• 2And be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Rom. 12:2)
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Gal. 1:4• 4who gave himself for our sins, so that he should deliver us out of the present evil world, according to the will of our God and Father; (Gal. 1:4)
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Gal. 6:14• 14But far be it from me to boast save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world. (Gal. 6:14)
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Col. 3:1‑3• 1If therefore ye have been raised with the Christ, seek the things which are above, where the Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God:
 2have your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth;
 3for ye have died, and your life is hid with the Christ in God. (Col. 3:1‑3)
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1 John 2:15‑17• 15Love not the world, nor the things in the world. If any one love the world, the love of the Father is not in him;
 16because 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 is passing, and its lust, but he that does the will of God abides for eternity. (1 John 2:15‑17)
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1 John 5:4‑5,18• 4For all that has been begotten of God gets the victory over the world; and this is the victory which has gotten the victory over the world, our faith.
 5Who is he that gets the victory over the world, but he that believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
 18We know that every one begotten of God does not sin, but he that has been begotten of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. (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

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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

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

W. Kelly Translation

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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

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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.