SEV Biblia, Chapter 1:26
Si alguno piensa ser religioso entre vosotros, y no refrena su lengua, sino que engaa su corazn, la religin del tal es vana.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - James 1:26
Verse 26. Seem to be religious] The words qrhskov and qrhskeia, which we translate religious and religion, (see the next verse,) are of very uncertain etymology. Suidas, under the word qrhskeuei, which he translates qeosebei, uphretei toiv qeoiv, 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 qrhskeuein threskeuein, as being a Thracian invention." Whatever its derivation may be, the word is used both to signify true religion, and superstition or heterodoxy. See Hesychius, and see on chap. i. 27. Bridleth not his tongue] He who speaks not according to the oracles of God, whatever pretences he makes to religion, only shows, by his want of scriptural knowledge, that his religion is false, mataiov, or empty of solid truth, profit to others, and good to himself. Such a person should bridle his tongue, put the bit in his mouth; and particularly if he be a professed teacher of religion; ho matter where he has studied, or what else he has learned, if he have not learned religion, he can never teach it. And religion is of such a nature that no man can learn it but by experience; he who does not feel the doctrine of God to be the power of God to the salvation of his soul, can neither teach religion, nor act according to its dictates, because he is an unconverted, unrenewed man. If he be old, let him retire to the desert, and pray to God for light; if he be in the prime of life, let him turn his attention to some honest calling; if he be young, let him tarry at Jericho till his beard grows.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 26. If any man among you seem to be religious , etc.] By his preaching, or praying, and hearing, and other external duties of religion, he is constant in the observance of; and who, upon the account of these things, thinks himself to be a religious man, as the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Arabic versions render it; or is thought to be so by others: and bridleth not his tongue ; but boasts of his works, and speaks ill of his brethren; backbites them, and hurts their names and characters, by private insinuations, and public charges without any foundation; who takes no care of what he says, but gives his tongue a liberty of speaking anything, to the injury of others, and the dishonour of God, and his ways: there seems to be an allusion to ( Psalm 39:1). But deceiveth his own heart ; with his show of religion, and external performances; on which he builds his hopes of salvation; of which he is confident; and so gives himself to a loose way of talking what he pleases: this man's religion is vain ; useless, and unprofitable to himself and others; all his preaching, praying, hearing, and attendance on the ordinances will be of no avail to him; and he, notwithstanding these, by his evil tongue, brings a scandal and reproach upon the ways of God, and doctrines of Christ.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 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 wisdo and piety, are signs of a vain religion. The man who has a slanderin tongue, cannot have a truly humble, gracious heart. False religious ma be known by their impurity and uncharitableness. True religion teache us to do every thing as in the presence of God. An unspotted life mus go with unfeigned love and charity. Our true religion is equal to the measure in which these things have place in our hearts and conduct. An let us remember, that nothing avails in Christ Jesus, but faith tha worketh by love, purifies the heart, subdues carnal lusts, and obey God's commands __________________________________________________________________
Greek Textus Receptus
ει 1487 τις 5100 δοκει 1380 5719 θρησκος 2357 ειναι 1511 5750 εν 1722 υμιν 5213 μη 3361 χαλιναγωγων 5468 5723 γλωσσαν 1100 αυτου 846 αλλ 235 απατων 538 5723 καρδιαν 2588 αυτου 846 τουτου 5127 ματαιος 3152 η 3588 θρησκεια 2356
Vincent's NT Word Studies
26. Seem to be (dokei). 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."Religious (qrhskov). Only here in New Testament, and nowhere in classical Greek. The kindred noun qrhskeia, religion, occurs Acts xxvi. 5; Col. ii. 18; Jas. i. 26, 27; and means the ceremonial service of religion. Herodotus (ii., 37) uses it of various observances practiced by the Egyptian priests such as wearing linen, circumcision, shaving, etc. The derivation is uncertain. Qreomai, to mutter forms of prayer, has been suggested, as the followers of Wycliffe were called Lollards, from the old Dutch lullen or lollen, to sing. Hence the adjective here refers to a zealous and diligent performance of religious services.
Bridleth (calinagwgwn). Used by James only. See ch. iii. 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."
