The Meaning of James 1:26 Explained

James 1:26

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.

YLT: If any one doth think to be religious among you, not bridling his tongue, but deceiving his heart, of this one vain is the religion;

Darby: If any one think himself to be religious, not bridling his tongue, but deceiving his heart, this man's religion is vain.

ASV: If any man thinketh himself to be religious, while he bridleth not his tongue but deceiveth his heart, this man's religion is vain.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does James 1:26 Mean?

Study Notes

religious
(Greek - θρη̑σκος = outwardly religious).

Verse Meaning

"Religious" (Gr. threskos, used only here in the New Testament) describes someone who fears or worships God. In particular, it refers to the outward consequences of what one believes (i.e, piety, good works) rather than to what he believes or the fact that he believes deeply. The Jews, who were James" original readers, typically regarded alms-giving, prayer, fasting, regular attendance at worship services, and the observance of holy days and feasts as signs of true spirituality (cf. Matthew 6:1-18). However, James said a better test of spirituality was God"s control of one"s tongue (cf. James 3:1-12).

Context Summary

James 1:19-27 - Doers, Not Hearers Only
Keep your mouth closed when you are angry; the inner fire will die out of itself, if you keep the doors and windows shut. In James 1:18 we are taught that God's truth is the agent of regeneration; in James 1:21 it is the means of deepening our consecration. It is a blessed thing, when not only the words, but the Word of God is engrafted on the wild stock of our nature.
The one and only way of making holy impressions permanent is by translating them into Christian living. It is not enough to see ourselves reflected in the mirror of God's Word; we must so continue, not as hearers who forget, but as doers that perform. Many appear to think that blessedness results from hearing, and are always on foot to attend new conventions. No; the true blessedness accrues from doing. The heart of our Christian faith is purity, the stainless garb of the soul, and thoughtful ministration to the widow and orphan-but these are possible only through the indwelling of Christ by the Holy Spirit. [source]

Chapter Summary: James 1

1  James greets the twelve tribes among the nations;
2  exhorts to rejoice in trials and temptations;
5  to ask patience of God;
13  and in our trials not to impute our weakness, or sins, to him,
19  but rather to hearken to the word, to meditate on it, and to do thereafter
26  Otherwise men may seem, but never be, truly religious

Greek Commentary for James 1:26

Thinketh himself to be religious [δοκει τρησκος ειναι]
Condition of first class Τρησκος — Thrēskos (of uncertain etymology, perhaps from τρεομαι — threomai to mutter forms of prayer) is predicate nominative after ειναι — einai agreeing with the subject of δοκει — dokei (either “he seems” or “he thinks”). This source of self-deception is in saying and doing. The word τρησκος — thrēskos is found nowhere else except in lexicons. Hatch (Essays in Biblical Greek, pp. 55-57) shows that it refers to the external observances of public worship, such as church attendance, almsgiving, prayer, fasting (Matt 6:1-18). It is the Pharisaic element in Christian worship. [source]
While he bridleth not his tongue [μη χαλιναγωγων γλωσσαν εαυτου]
“Not bridling his own tongue.” A reference to James 1:19 and the metaphor is repeated in James 3:12. This is the earliest known example of the compound χαλιναγωγεω — chalinagōgeō It occurs also in Lucian. The picture is that of a man putting the bridle in his own mouth, not in that of another. See the similar metaphor of muzzling Present active participle from απατη — apatē (deceit). He plays a trick on himself.Religion Later form of τρησκιη — thrēskiē (Herodotus) from τρησκος — thrēskos above. It means religious worship in its external observances, religious exercise or discipline, but not to the exclusion of reverence. In the N.T. we have it also in Acts 26:5 of Judaism and in Colossians 2:18 of worshipping angels. It is vain (ματαιος — mataios feminine form same as masculine) or empty. Comes to nothing. [source]
Deceiveth [απατων]
Present active participle from απατη — apatē (deceit). He plays a trick on himself. [source]
Religion [τρησκεια]
Later form of τρησκιη — thrēskiē (Herodotus) from τρησκος — thrēskos above. It means religious worship in its external observances, religious exercise or discipline, but not to the exclusion of reverence. In the N.T. we have it also in Acts 26:5 of Judaism and in Colossians 2:18 of worshipping angels. It is vain (ματαιος — mataios feminine form same as masculine) or empty. Comes to nothing. [source]
Seem to be [δοκεῖ]
Rev., correctly, thinketh himself to be. A man can scarcely seem to be religious, when, as Trench observes, “his religious pretensions are belied and refuted by the allowance of an unbridled tongue.” [source]
Religious [θρῆσκος]
Only here in New Testament, and nowhere in classical Greek. The kindred noun θρησκεία , religion, occurs Acts 26:5; Colossians 2:18; James 1:26, James 1:27; and means the ceremonial service of religion. Herodotus (ii., 37) uses it of various observances practised by the Egyptian priests, such as wearing linen, circumcision, shaving, etc. The derivation is uncertain. Θρέομαι , to mutter forms of prayer, has been suggested, as the followers of Wycliffe were called Lollards, from the old Dutch lullen or lollento sing. Hence the adjective here refers to a zealous and diligent performance of religious services. [source]
Bridleth [χαλιναγωγῶν]
Used by James only. See James 3:2. Lit., to guide with a bridle. So Plato, “Laws,” 701: “I think that the argument ought to be pulled up from time to time, and not to be allowed to run away, but held with bit and bridle.” [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for James 1:26

Luke 8:18 Seemeth [δοκεῖ]
Peculiar to Luke. Rev. renders “thinketh he hath,” as James 1:26, on which see note. Wyc., guesseth; Tynd., supposeth.sa40 [source]
Acts 26:5 If they be willing to testify [εαν τελωσιν μαρτυρειν]
Condition of third class A neat turning of the tables on the distinguished audience about Paul‘s Jerusalem reputation before his conversion. After the straitest sect (την ακριβεστατην αιρεσιν — tēn akribestatēn hairesin). This is a true superlative (not elative) and one of the three (also αγιωτατος — hagiōtatos Judges 1:20, τιμιωτατος — timiōtatos Revelation 18:12; Revelation 21:11) superlatives in τατος — ̇tatos in the N.T. (Robertson, Grammar, pp. 279f., 670), though common enough in the lxx and the papyri. αιρεσιν — Hairesin (choosing) is properly used here with Pharisees (Josephus, Life, 38). Religion From τρησκευω — thrēskeuō and this from τρησκος — thrēskos (James 1:26), old word for religious worship or discipline, common in the papyri and inscriptions (Moulton and Milligan‘s Vocabulary) for reverent worship, not mere external ritual. In N.T. only here, James 1:26.; Colossians 2:18. I lived a Pharisee (εζησα Παρισαιος — ezēsa Pharisaios). Emphatic position. Paul knew the rules of the Pharisees and played the game to the full (Galatians 1:14; Philemon 3:5.). The Talmud makes it plain what the life of a Pharisee was. Paul had become one of the leaders and stars of hope for his sect. [source]
Acts 26:5 Religion [τρησκειας]
From τρησκευω — thrēskeuō and this from τρησκος — thrēskos (James 1:26), old word for religious worship or discipline, common in the papyri and inscriptions (Moulton and Milligan‘s Vocabulary) for reverent worship, not mere external ritual. In N.T. only here, James 1:26.; Colossians 2:18. I lived a Pharisee (εζησα Παρισαιος — ezēsa Pharisaios). Emphatic position. Paul knew the rules of the Pharisees and played the game to the full (Galatians 1:14; Philemon 3:5.). The Talmud makes it plain what the life of a Pharisee was. Paul had become one of the leaders and stars of hope for his sect. [source]
Galatians 6:3 Deceiveth [φρεναπατᾷ]
N.T.oolxx, oClass. See the noun φεναπάτης deceiver Titus 1:10. Denoting subjective deception; deception of the judgment. The simple ἀπατᾶν to deceive, Ephesians 5:6; 1 Timothy 2:14; James 1:26, and often in lxx. Lightfoot thinks the compound verb may possibly have been coined by Paul. [source]
Colossians 2:18 Worship of angels [θρησκείᾳ]
See on religious, James 1:26. Defining the direction which their humility assumed. The usage of the Septuagint and of the New Testament limits the meaning to the external aspects of worship. Compare Acts 26:5; James 1:27. [source]
James 4:5 Do ye think [δοκεῖτε]
See on James 1:26. [source]
James 3:2 To bridle []
See on James 1:26. [source]
James 1:26 Religious [θρῆσκος]
Only here in New Testament, and nowhere in classical Greek. The kindred noun θρησκεία , religion, occurs Acts 26:5; Colossians 2:18; James 1:26, James 1:27; and means the ceremonial service of religion. Herodotus (ii., 37) uses it of various observances practised by the Egyptian priests, such as wearing linen, circumcision, shaving, etc. The derivation is uncertain. Θρέομαι , to mutter forms of prayer, has been suggested, as the followers of Wycliffe were called Lollards, from the old Dutch lullen or lollento sing. Hence the adjective here refers to a zealous and diligent performance of religious services. [source]
James 2:12 So speak ye, and so do [ουτως λαλειτε και ουτως ποιειτε]
Present active imperatives as a habit. For the combination see James 1:19-21 contrasted with James 1:22-25, and James 1:26 with James 1:27. [source]
James 3:2 If not [ειου]
Condition of first class with ου — ou (not μη — mē) negativing the verb πταιει — ptaiei word In speech. The teacher uses his tongue constantly and so is in particular peril on this score.The same (ουτος — houtos). “This one” (not ο αυτος — ho autos the same).A perfect man “A perfect husband” also, for ανηρ — anēr is husband as well as man in distinction from woman The wife is at liberty to test her husband by this rule of the tongue.To bridle the whole body also (χαλιναγωγησαι και ολον το σωμα — chalinagōgēsai kai holon to sōma). See note on James 1:26 for this rare verb applied to the tongue (γλωσσαν — glōssan). Here the same metaphor is used and shown to apply to the whole body as horses are led by the mouth. The man follows his own mouth whether he controls the bridle therein (James 1:26) or someone else holds the reins. James apparently means that the man who bridles his tongue does not stumble in speech and is able also to control his whole body with all its passions. See Titus 1:11 about stopping people‘s mouths (επιστομιζω — epistomizō). [source]
James 3:2 To bridle the whole body also [χαλιναγωγησαι και ολον το σωμα]
See note on James 1:26 for this rare verb applied to the tongue Here the same metaphor is used and shown to apply to the whole body as horses are led by the mouth. The man follows his own mouth whether he controls the bridle therein (James 1:26) or someone else holds the reins. James apparently means that the man who bridles his tongue does not stumble in speech and is able also to control his whole body with all its passions. See Titus 1:11 about stopping people‘s mouths (επιστομιζω — epistomizō). [source]
James 4:11 Speak not one against another [μη καταλαλειτε αλληλων]
Prohibition against such a habit or a command to quit doing it, with μη — mē and the present imperative of καταλαλεω — katalaleō old compound usually with the accusative in ancient Greek, in N.T. only with the genitive (here, 1 Peter 2:12; 1 Peter 3:16). Often harsh words about the absent. James returns to the subject of the tongue as he does again in James 5:12 (twice before, James 1:26; James 3:1-12). [source]
James 3:2 A perfect man [τελειος ανηρ]
“A perfect husband” also, for ανηρ — anēr is husband as well as man in distinction from woman The wife is at liberty to test her husband by this rule of the tongue.To bridle the whole body also (χαλιναγωγησαι και ολον το σωμα — chalinagōgēsai kai holon to sōma). See note on James 1:26 for this rare verb applied to the tongue (γλωσσαν — glōssan). Here the same metaphor is used and shown to apply to the whole body as horses are led by the mouth. The man follows his own mouth whether he controls the bridle therein (James 1:26) or someone else holds the reins. James apparently means that the man who bridles his tongue does not stumble in speech and is able also to control his whole body with all its passions. See Titus 1:11 about stopping people‘s mouths (επιστομιζω — epistomizō). [source]

What do the individual words in James 1:26 mean?

If anyone seems religious to be not bridling [the] tongue of himself but deceiving [the] heart of this one worthless [is] the religion
Εἴ τις δοκεῖ θρησκὸς εἶναι μὴ χαλιναγωγῶν γλῶσσαν αὐτοῦ ἀλλὰ ἀπατῶν καρδίαν τούτου μάταιος θρησκεία

τις  anyone 
Parse: Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: τὶς  
Sense: a certain, a certain one.
δοκεῖ  seems 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: δοκέω  
Sense: to be of opinion, think, suppose.
θρησκὸς  religious 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: θρῆσκος  
Sense: fearing or worshipping God.
εἶναι  to  be 
Parse: Verb, Present Infinitive Active
Root: εἰμί  
Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.
χαλιναγωγῶν  bridling 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: χαλιναγωγέω 
Sense: to lead by a bridle, to guide.
γλῶσσαν  [the]  tongue 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: γλῶσσα  
Sense: the tongue, a member of the body, an organ of speech. 2 a tongue.
αὐτοῦ  of  himself 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
ἀπατῶν  deceiving 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἀπατάω  
Sense: to cheat, beguile, deceive.
καρδίαν  [the]  heart 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: καρδία  
Sense: the heart.
τούτου  of  this  one 
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: οὗτος  
Sense: this.
μάταιος  worthless  [is] 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: μάταιος  
Sense: devoid of force, truth, success, result.
θρησκεία  religion 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: θρησκεία  
Sense: religious worship.