American Standard Version
James 1:26
26If any man thinketh himself to be religious, while he bridleth not his tongue but deceiveth his heart, this man’s religion is vain.
James 1:26 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.
- New International Version (NIV)Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.
- English Standard Version (ESV)If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.
- New King James Version (NKJV)If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.
Context of James 1:26
24for he beholdeth himself, and goeth away, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25But he that looketh into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and so continueth, being not a hearer that forgetteth but a doer that worketh, this man shall be blessed in his doing. If any man thinketh himself to be religious, while he bridleth not his tongue but deceiveth his heart, this man’s religion is vain. 27Pure 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.
Read all of James 1James 1:26 word by word
Εἴ τις δοκεῖ θρησκὸς εἶναι μὴ χαλιναγωγῶν γλῶσσαν αὐτοῦ ἀλλ᾽ ἀπατῶν καρδίαν αὐτοῦ, τούτου μάταιος ἡ θρησκεία.Read the interlinear
Cross-references for James 1:26
- Proverbs 14:12There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; But the end thereof are the ways of death.
- Proverbs 16:25There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, But the end thereof are the ways of death.
- Luke 8:18Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that which he thinketh he hath.
- 1 Corinthians 3:18Let no man deceive himself. If any man thinketh that he is wise among you in this world, let him become a fool, that he may become wise.
- Galatians 2:6But from those who were reputed to be somewhat (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth not man’s person)—they, I say, who were of repute imparted nothing to me:
- Galatians 6:3For if a man thinketh himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
- James 1:19Ye knowthis, my beloved brethren. But let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
- James 3:2For in many things we all stumble. If any stumbleth not in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also.
- Psalms 32:9Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding; Whose trappings must be bit and bridle to hold them in, Elsethey will not come near unto thee.
- Psalms 34:13Keep thy tongue from evil, And thy lips from speaking guile.
- Psalms 39:1I said, I will take heed to my ways, That I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, While the wicked is before me.
- Psalms 141:3Set a watch, O Jehovah, before my mouth; Keep the door of my lips.
- Proverbs 10:19In the multitude of words there wanteth not transgression; But he that refraineth his lips doeth wisely.
- Proverbs 13:2A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth; But the soul of the treacherousshall eatviolence.
- Proverbs 15:2The tongue of the wise uttereth knowledge aright; But the mouth of fools poureth out folly.
- Proverbs 16:10A divine sentence is in the lips of the king; His mouth shall not transgress in judgment.
Commentaries on James 1:26
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 26Seem to be religious - The words and , which we translate religious and religion, (see the next verse), are of very uncertain etymology. Suidas, under the word , which he translates , ̔ , he worships or serves the gods, accounts for the derivation thus: "It is said that Orpheus, a Thracian, instituted the mysteries (or religious rites) of the Greeks, and called the worshipping of God threskeuein, as being a Thracian invention." Whatever its derivation may…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 26If 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…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 26-27Verses 26-27 When men take more pains to seem religious than really to be so, it is a sign their religion is in vain. The not bridling the tongue, readiness to speak of the faults of others, or to lessen their wisdom and piety, are signs of a vain religion. The man who has a slandering tongue, cannot have a truly humble, gracious heart. False religious may be known by their impurity and uncharitableness. True religion teaches us to do every thing as in…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 26-27bridle his tongue: James uses this image to show that controlling your tongue reflects the condition of your heart and direction of life (compare 3:1–13). orphans and widows were the most vulnerable people in ancient society. They relied on others for support because the husband and father provided economic help and social connections (Exodus 22:22–24; Deuteronomy 10:18). God calls Christians to especially care for those who are helpless (compare 1…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 26-2726-27. 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 (Mi 6:7, 8) as visiting the fatherless, &c., and keeping one's self unspotted from…Read the comment
Topics related to James 1:26
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on James 1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
American Standard Version — 1901 — Public Domain
Commentaries