James 1:26 NIV,NKJV

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - James 1:26

If any man among you seem to be religious - Pious, or devout. That is, if he does not restrain his tongue, his other evidences of religion are worthless. A man may undoubtedly have many things in his character which seem to be evidences of the existence of religion in his heart, and yet there may be some one thing that shall show that all those evidences are false. Religion is designed to produce an effect on our whole conduct; and if there is any one thing in reference to which it does not... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - James 1:26-27

James 1:26-27. If &c. Here the apostle shows more particularly who are the doers of the word; 1st, Negatively, in this verse: 2d, Positively, in the next verse. If any man among you Who are professors of Christianity; seem to be religious Θρησκος , pious, devout, or a worshipper of God: and if his conduct in other respects be irreprehensible, and he be exact in all the outward offices of religion, yet if he bridleth not his tongue From tale-bearing, backbiting, evil-speaking,... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - James 1:19-27

1:19-2:26 PUTTING BELIEF INTO PRACTICEThe Bible and everyday life (1:19-27)A tendency in human nature is for people to become ill-tempered, especially in times of difficulty or stress. Christians must not excuse their ill-temper by claiming that they are defending God’s honour. Such attitudes have no place in the Christian life. They must be replaced by new attitudes that arise from studying God’s Word and putting its teachings into practice (19-21).Christians must not merely read God’s Word,... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - James 1:26

man = one. among you . The texts omit. seem = thinks himself. Compare James 4:5 . religious . Greek. threskos. Only here in N.T., and nowhere found in Classical Greek. It means a careful follower of the observances connected with his belief. bridleth . Greek. chalinagogeo. Only here and James 3:2 . deceiveth . Greek. apatao. See Ephesians 5:6 . religion . Greek. threskeia. See Acts 26:5 . vain . Greek. mataios. See Acts 14:15 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - James 1:26

If any man thinketh himself to be religious, while he bridleth not his tongue but deceiveth his heart, this man's religion is vain.It is clear from this that James was addressing this letter to self-deceived people who in some manner had accepted the proposition that they were saved without reference to the practice of true Christianity. What was their fallacy? It could well have been that of imagining that they were "saved through faith only." That they were indeed believers is perfectly clear... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - James 1:26

James 1:26. And bridleth not his tongue— Not bridling his tongue, but deceiving his heart. Bishop Butler. As if the apostle had said, "It is impossible that any man should so much as seem to be religious, if he does not at least think that he bridles his tongue; but if he deceive himself in this important branch of religion, he is deceived in the whole of it." And indeed, to many sins of the tongue are committed without any apprehension of their being evil, that this caution, and this remark... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - James 1:26

26, 27. An example of doing work. religious . . . religion—The Greek expresses the external service or exercise of religion, "godliness" being the internal soul of it. "If any man think himself to be (so the Greek) religious, that is, observant of the offices of religion, let him know these consist not so much in outward observances, as in such acts of mercy and humble piety (Micah 6:7; Micah 6:8) as visiting the fatherless, c., and keeping one's self unspotted from the world" (Matthew 23:23).... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 1:2-27

II. TRIALS AND TRUE RELIGION 1:2-27James began his letter, which is in many ways a lecture, by dealing with the problem of trials that all believers encounter. Jews who became Christians in the early history of the church experienced much antagonism and persecution from their unbelieving fellow Jews, as is clear in the Book of Acts. All Christians who take a stand for the Lord continue to have to deal with such trials. Thus James’ inspired advice is perennially relevant. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 1:19-27

C. The Proper Response to Trials 1:19-27Having explained the value of trials and our options in trials, James next exhorted his readers to respond properly to their trials. In this section he stressed the Word of God because it is the key to resisting temptations and responding to trials correctly (cf. Matthew 4:1-11)."Receptivity to the Word, responsiveness to the Word, and resignation to the Word are essential to spiritual growth. One must accept God’s Word, act on it, and abide by it."... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 1:26

"Religious" (Gr. threskos, used only here in the New Testament) describes someone who fears or worships God. In particular, it refers to the outward consequences of what one believes (i.e., piety, good works) rather than to what he believes or the fact that he believes deeply. The Jews, who were James’ original readers, typically regarded alms-giving, prayer, fasting, regular attendance at worship services, and the observance of holy days and feasts as signs of true spirituality (cf. Matthew... read more

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - James 1:26

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - James 1:26-27

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - James 1:19-27

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - James 1:26

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - James 1:26

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - James 1:26

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - James 1:26

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 1:2-27

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 1:19-27

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 1:26

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