James does not give a definition of religion in this verse but an
illustration of the right sort of religious exercise in contrast with
the futile religiosity already noted. The absence of the article shows
that he does not mean an inclusive description. “A religious exercise
pure and undefiled” is here given quite the opposite meaning of the
professional performances of the pharisaic pietists. There is pure
religion, and the counterfeit is a tribute to it. This religion is free
from pollution. There is in it no alloy of selfishness nor other sin.
Moffatt renders it “unsoiled,” but it may have the notion of genuine
metal.
This standard of purity and piety seems impossible, but God knows how to
estimate the relation between listening and doing, between doing and
loving, between loving and purity of life. The life must pass muster
with God. At first sight one is perhaps depressed by the reflection that
God’s standard of piety is so much higher than ours. What some men
consider holy worship is to God hollow mockery. But then God is our
Father. He planted the word of truth in our hearts. He has watched it
grow. He knows the limitations of environment in which the tree of life
has grown.
James gives two very practical tests of genuine religion. One is mercy
toward the suffering. The widow and the orphan appeal to the hardest
hearts. And yet men have been known to spend thousands of dollars upon
palaces of worship while the poor perished in the alley behind the
church. The social side of practical religion is receiving more
attention these days than it once did. The very hospitals and asylums
are an expression of that love for our common humanity taught by Jesus.
James has no sympathy with that cold orthodoxy that is satisfied with
singing psalms to Jehovah while the widow and the orphan suffer, with no
help from the blind worshipers nearby.
Christianity is inward and spiritual, not mere perfunctory ritual. But
it is not mere mystical brooding or abstract contemplation. The cry of
the child and the cry of the mother for the child were heard by Jesus.
Today the children cry aloud in our streets and in our factories for
school and play, for love and sympathy, for better homes and better
food, for care of the body and of the soul. Jesus still loves the
children. Christ discovered the child. The modern world at last has
begun to find out the child that Jesus has placed in the midst of us.
There are many other forms of social service which the true Christian
may find right by his door. The neighbor in need may even lie at his
gate.
The other test of pure religion offered by James is more distinctly
personal and more difficult, though the first test is met none too well.
It is “to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” Moffatt has it “from
the stain of the world.” It is a high calling surely if one is to walk
in a world like this free from the stain of sin, with no spot upon
garments, body, or soul. The Lamb of God was offered as a sacrifice
without spot. Christ will present his church at last without spot. James
had just spoken of the use of the tongue. That also can leave a spot or
stain (cf. 3:6).
There is much dirt of all kinds about us. The germs of sin infest and
infect us all. And yet it is not hopeless to make a fight for purity in
life. We do not give up the battle for cleanliness of body, for
healthfulness of body, for victory over the germs of disease about us
and in us. It is worthwhile to lead the clean, white life of purity. One
has his reward in his own life—in fresh power, in new joy, in richer
fruitage. He has his reward also in the inspiration given to others, who
are cheered to strive likewise against sin, to fight for personal and
social purity, for better homes and better cities, for a better world in
which to serve God, for a bit of heaven here on earth, for the reign of
God in human hearts, for likeness to Jesus the Son of God.
VI
Class Prejudice
In the second chapter James recurs to the discussion of the democracy of
faith found in 1:9-11. In fact, it had never been very far in the
background. The use of “my brethren” is eminently appropriate here,
since he is urging the readers to brotherly kindness (Mayor).