James 1:26
What does James 1:26 mean?
A plain-English look at James 1:26 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What James 1:26 means
James tests the authenticity of religion by the tongue. If someone thinks himself religious yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart, and his religion is vain. Words reveal the heart’s reins. Unchecked speech—gossip, slander, rashness—exposes a disconnect between profession and practice. True piety includes disciplined communication shaped by love and truth. James refuses a privatized faith that ignores ethical fruit. Self-deception returns as a theme: it is possible to be busy with religious forms while failing at basic godliness. The call is to surrender the tongue to God, for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000If any man thinketh himself to be religious, while he bridleth not his tongue but deceiveth his heart, this man’s religion is vain.
KJV
King James Version · 1611If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901If any man thinketh himself to be religious, while he bridleth not his tongue but deceiveth his heart, this man’s religion is vain.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949If a man seems to have religion and has no control over his tongue but lets himself be tricked by what is false, this man's religion is of no value.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862If any one doth think to be religious among you, not bridling his tongue, but deceiving his heart, of this one vain <FI>is<Fi> the religion;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And if any man think himself to be religious, not bridling his tongue but deceiving his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890If any one think himself to be religious, not bridling his tongue, but deceiving his heart, this man's religion is vain.
Context
Moving from general principles about doing the Word, James now offers concrete diagnostics. Verse 26 addresses speech; verse 27 will address compassion and purity. These tests match themes that will recur in the letter, especially James’s concern about the tongue. The flow shows that authentic religion is visible in controlled speech and practical care, not merely in hearing sermons or making claims. This brings the chapter toward its climactic definition of pure religion.
v.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.
v.26This passage
v.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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Mark 7:7
But in vain do they worship me, Teachingas theirdoctrines the precepts of men.
- Isaiah 1:13
Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; new moon and sabbath, the calling of assemblies,—I cannot away with iniquity and the solemn meeting.
- Deuteronomy 11:16
Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;
- Proverbs 10:31
The mouth of the righteous bringeth forth wisdom; But the perverse tongue shall be cut off.
- Colossians 4:6
Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer each one.
- James 1:19
Ye knowthis, my beloved brethren. But let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
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