John Calvin 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)

Pure religion. As he passes by those things which are of the greatest importance in religion, he does not generally define what religion is, but reminds us that religion without the things he mentions is nothing; just as when someone given to wine and gluttony boasts that he is temperate, and another objects, saying that the temperate person is one who does not indulge in excessive wine or eating; his object is not to express the whole of what temperance is, but to refer only to one thing, suitable to the subject at hand. For those of whom he speaks are religious in vain, as they are, for the most part, insignificant pretenders.

James then teaches us that religion is not to be judged by the pomp of ceremonies, but that there are important duties to which God’s servants ought to attend.

To visit in necessity is to extend a helping hand to alleviate those who are in distress. And since there are many others whom the Lord commands us to help, in mentioning widows and orphans, he states a part for the whole. There is then no doubt that through this one particular example, he recommends to us every act of love, as though he had said, “Let him who would be considered religious prove himself to be so by self-denial, and by mercy and benevolence toward his neighbors.”

And he says, before God, to suggest that it indeed appears otherwise to people, who are led astray by external masks, but that we ought to seek what pleases him. By God and Father, we are to understand God who is a Father.