Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary James 1:27

"Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, [and] to keep oneself unspotted from the world." — James 1:27 (ASV)

(2) The kind of “religion that God our Father accepts” is the kind that exerts a positive influence on one’s life. This verse does not give us a definition of religion. Instead, it presents a concrete way of insisting that genuine religion is a life-changing force. One’s religion should be more than external; it must spring from an inner spiritual reality that expresses itself in love to others and holiness before God. James then describes a specific example of love—the care of “orphans and widows.” “Look after” (GK 2170) also appears in Mt 25:36, 43 with reference to visiting the sick; it is not merely making a social call, but caring deeply for their needs. This is “faith expressing itself through love” (Galatians 5:6).

(3) One whose religion is genuine will also avoid “being polluted by the world.” “World” (GK 3180) here describes the total system of evil that pervades every sphere of human existence and is set in opposition to God and to righteousness.

To summarize, vv.22–27 insist that a person’s religion must consist of more than superficial acts. It is not enough to listen to the statement of spiritual truth (vv.22–25), nor is it sufficient to engage in formal religious activity (v.26). The person whose religious experience is genuine will put spiritual truth into practice, and one’s life will be marked by love for others and holiness before God.