OceanSide church of Christ

 Previous Return to The Book of James Next 

JAMES 1:26

Victor M. Eskew

 

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.

 

1.    Religious

A.   Strong (2357):  ceremonious in worship, pious

B.    Thayer:  fearing or worshipping God

C.   Vine:  religious, careful of the externals of divine service

 

2.    Bridleth

A.   Strong (5468):  to be a bit leader, that is, to curb

B.    Thayer:  to bridle, hold in check, restrain

C.   Vine:  to bridle, to hold in check, restrain

 

3.    Tongue

A.   Strong (1100):  the tongue

B.    Thayer:  the tongue, a member of the body, an organ of speech

C.   Vine:  the tongue, as an organ of speech

 

4.    Deceiveth

A.   Strong (538):  to cheat, that is, delude

B.    Thayer:  to cheat, beguile, deceive

C.   Vine:  to beguile, deceive…self-deceit

 

5.    Heart

A.   Strong (2588):  the heart, that is, (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind)

B.    Thayer:  the centre and seat of spiritual life, the soul or mind, as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, endeavors, of the understanding, the faculty and seat of intelligence

C.   Vine:  …by an easy transition the word came to stand for man’s entire mental and moral activity, both the rational and the emotional elements.   In other words, the heart is used figuratively for the hidden springs of the personal life.

 

6.    Vain

A.   Strong (3152):  empty, profitless

B.    Thayer:  devoid of force, truth, success, result, useless, of no purpose

C.   Vine:  void of result…that which produces nothing profitable