James 1:27
King James Version
8 Jun 2026
“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. ”
πατήρ
When Jesus teaches His disciples to pray, He begins with the most radical word imaginable — Father. In the ancient world, approaching God as Father was almost unthinkable. Jesus opens the door and says: this is how you come. Not as a subject before a king. As a child before a Father who already knows what you need.
θλῖψις
tribulation
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θλῖψις
Tribulation, affliction, pressure. Thlipsis. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart I have overcome the world. Trouble is guaranteed. Victory is also guaranteed.
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θεός
God
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θεός
God. Theos. In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. The ultimate reality. The source of all existence. Personal knowable and present.
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τηρέω
to keep
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τηρέω
To keep, to guard, to observe. Tereo. Keep yourselves in the love of God. Staying in God's love requires active keeping. Do not drift. Make choices that keep you close.
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καθαρός
pure
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καθαρός
Pure, clean, undefiled. Katharos. Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. Purity of heart is not perfection of behaviour. It is undivided loyalty to God.
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ὀρφανός
Orphans
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ὀρφανός
An orphan, a fatherless child. I will not leave you as orphans. I will come to you. The promise of the Spirit is the promise that you will never be fatherless again.
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χήρα
widows
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χήρα
Widow. Chera. A widow who had given everything she had. Jesus noticed and commended what no one else saw. God sees your hidden faithfulness and values it eternally.
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ἑαυτοῦ
oneself
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ἑαυτοῦ
him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other persons) my-, thy-, our-, your-) self (selves), etc.
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κόσμος
world.
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κόσμος
The world, the ordered universe. God so loved the kosmos. He loves what He made and He is working to redeem every part of it.
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ἐπισκέπτομαι
to visit
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ἐπισκέπτομαι
to inspect, i.e. (by implication) to select; by extension, to go to see, relieve
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θρησκός
Religion
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θρησκός
ceremonious in worship (as demonstrative), i.e. pious
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εἰμί
is,
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εἰμί
I exist (used only when emphatic)
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θρησκεία
Religion
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θρησκεία
ceremonial observance
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