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If anyone among you thinks himself to be religious, while he doesn`t bridle his tongue, but deceives his heart, this man`s religion is worthless.

Verse Takeaways

1

The Tongue Test

Commentators consistently highlight that the tongue serves as a primary indicator of a person's spiritual health. As one scholar notes, just as a doctor checks the tongue to assess the body, our words reveal the true condition of our heart. An uncontrolled tongue—prone to slander, unkindness, or gossip—is a clear sign that one's faith is not genuinely transforming them from the inside out, regardless of other religious activities.

See 3 Verse Takeaways

Book Overview

James

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Commentaries

12

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes

On James 1:26

18th Century

Theologian

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 …

AT Robertson

AT Robertson

On James 1:26

Thinketh himself to be religious (δοκε θρησκος εινα). Condition of first class (ει-δοκε). Θρησκος (of uncertain etymology, perhaps…

Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott

On James 1:26

19th Century

Bishop

But St. James has until now elaborated only on the first part of his advice in James 1:19, Let every man be swift to hear; now he must enf…

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Charles Spurgeon

Charles Spurgeon

On James 1:26

19th Century

Preacher

And bridleth not his tongue, –

That little noisy troublesome member: and bridleth not his tongue,

Expositor's Bible Commentary

Expositor's Bible Commentary

On James 1:26

Verses 26–27 point out three specific areas where truth should be put into practice. (1) The first is speech. James introduces a hypothetical case.…

John Calvin

John Calvin

On James 1:26

16th Century

Theologian

Seem to be religious. He now reproves a vice even in those who boasted that they were doers of the law—a vice to which hypocrites are comm…

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John Gill

John Gill

On James 1:26

17th Century

Pastor

If any man among you seem to be religious
By his preaching, or praying, and hearing, and other external duties of re…

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry

On James 1:26–27

17th Century

Minister

When people take more effort to seem religious than to actually be so, it is a sign their religion is in vain. Not bridling the tongue, a readiness…