The Book of James says that true religion is caring for orphans and widows. But what does that mean? What is the meaning of James 1:27 in real terms? In the following post we will dive into what James wanted to communicate to the audience and the church of that day and see if we can add some better context to this intriguing verse.

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. ²⁷ Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. James 1:26-27 ESV

Religious Worship

To get started we need to look at the Greek word James uses for Religion. θρησκεία (threskeia) which means religious worship or religious discipline. Culture is obsessed with religions but oddly enough this word is only used 4 times in the Bible and two of those are right here in the book of James. The other two times this word is used is by Paul when speaking of his Pharisee background.

“My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among my own nation and in Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews. 5 They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee. Acts 26:4-5 ESV

Strictest Religion

Paul in his trial is testifying to the Roman authority and describing his upbringing as a member of the “strictest party of our religion.” Paul follows all kinds of Pharisee laws in his life. If there was anyone who is an expert in religion, it is Paul. Yet James writing to a Jewish audience who are fully aware of the religion of the Pharisee challenges what passes as religion. James in 1 27 turns the meaning of religion from a challenging list of prescribed ceremonies that only a Pharisee could keep to telling his audience that true religion is practical. Helping other people who need help is practical. The laws of the Pharisee are not practical. They are “strict” as Paul tell the Roman governor.

Practical Religion

James gives two parts to his meaning of religion in 1 27. The first part everyone knows. Help widows and orphans. And we can broaden this description to anything that is practical in the help of others. Feed those who are hungry, mend those who are broken. Help those who are outcast. The Christian church does these things better and with more truth than any other organization or government in the world.

Relationship with the World

But James continues and many times the reader stops on the first part. The second part of the meaning of religion in James 1 27 is how one lives in relation to the world. This part is loaded and we are all too eager to skip right over this. James says “and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”

Unstained

Unstained is a loaded word. If you get into the lives of the poor then you might just get stained. Living life live in this world will get you dirty with compromise. If we look at this word, unstained, ἄσπιλος (aspilos) we will find it means free from vice or irreproachable. So unstained not in the physical sense of the word but unstained in ones ethic or morality.

Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. 2 Peter 3:14 ESV

Real Character

Without spot or blemish is a person who has the highest character. They have lived a life that represents the meaning of religion in James 1 27.

Don’t be a Fake

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. 28 So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. Matthew 23:27-28 ESV

James writes be spotless in character while getting dirty helping the poor. Jesus criticizes the religion of the Pharisee by saying they look spotless on the outside, but they are unclean in character. The Pharisee failed because they skipped over the second part of what James wrote and became stained by the world with lawlessness. They seek selfish gain. They don’t actually care about others. These Pharisees do not match the meaning of religion in James 1 27.

In the World but Not of the World

But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. John 17:13-19 ESV

Jesus in one of his last prayers before the cross prays for the Disciples. He prays to send them into the world with truth. Jesus is instructing Christians to live the meaning of James 1 27 in real practical terms. Go into the world with truth not to be part of the world but to serve the world. Get dirty. Live lives helping others. Share the gospel of Jesus to those who are perishing. But do not become stained by practicing life like the world does it.

Natural Outflow for the Christian

I hope breaking down the two parts of Religion James laid out helps to clarify the meaning of 1 27. Both parts are a natural outflow of anyone who is following Christ. Part one is a genuine desire to help other. And part two is to help other in what is true by refusing to compromise any part of God’s standards. Without the second part then there is no way “to keep oneself unstained from the world”