The NIV version of James 1:27 is inaccurate.
Here is James 1:27 in the New International Version (NIV):
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
This verse is inaccurate, in that it states that "the only religion that God the Father accepts..."
The point is, that God doesn't accept any religion as gospel, nor the way to Salvation. Scripture makes that crystal clear. It emphasizes that religion is man-made philosophy, not the written Word of God. In fact, scripture is firm, in teaching that neither religion nor good works could ever save us.
In fact, nowhere in the Bible does it say that any religion can save us. Religion didn't die on the cross to save us from the condemnation that sin placed on all of us. The person of Jesus did, and all are invited to seek Him, that they may be saved. To further examine this verse for clarity, let's look at the same verse from the KJV:
"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."
I'm glad that we could examine both verses together. The verse in the KJV uses the term "religion," however, it's not stating that it is religion that saves us, but the person of Jesus Christ. The Bible emphasizes that our salvation is a result of God's grace and our faith in Jesus, not our religious works or deeds (Ephesians 2:8-9). Frankly, this is why I cannot subscribe to the NIV, but prefer the King James version over others, as I have found that the different versions, which I know are meant to simplify versus for understanding, yet upon examination, do a great disservice by twisting the whole meaning, from how God intended for it to be read.
Not only the verse we studied today, but I have found many verses from the NIV to be inadequate and inaccurate. It says in Scripture that God doesn't want His words changed. He said a curse would be upon those who try. However, just because some have tried to change a few words around, does not mean the whole of God's Word is inaccurate. Though the accusation is that the Bible is contradictory, imperfect, or erroneous, it is still considered sacred and authoritative.
The Bible is a complex and diverse book, written by many authors over a long period of time. While it may appear to contain contradictions and inconsistencies, many of these can be resolved by carefully studying the context, historical background, and literary genre of the passages in question.
The term "religion" in James 1:27 (KJV) speaks of "worship" or "service", highlighting the importance of living out our faith in practical ways, such as caring for the vulnerable. This verse is not about earning salvation through religious practices, but about demonstrating our love for God through our actions.
In conclusion, I would like to submit that Jesus didn't die for certain groups of people or denominations, but that John 3:16 and 17, confirms that Jesus died to save everyone in the world, from the condemnation that sin placed on us.
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." - John 14:6 (KJV)
This verse, spoken by Jesus Himself, emphasizes that He is the exclusive path to the Father, and no one can come to the Father except through Him.
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
This verse is inaccurate, in that it states that "the only religion that God the Father accepts..."
The point is, that God doesn't accept any religion as gospel, nor the way to Salvation. Scripture makes that crystal clear. It emphasizes that religion is man-made philosophy, not the written Word of God. In fact, scripture is firm, in teaching that neither religion nor good works could ever save us.
In fact, nowhere in the Bible does it say that any religion can save us. Religion didn't die on the cross to save us from the condemnation that sin placed on all of us. The person of Jesus did, and all are invited to seek Him, that they may be saved. To further examine this verse for clarity, let's look at the same verse from the KJV:
"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."
I'm glad that we could examine both verses together. The verse in the KJV uses the term "religion," however, it's not stating that it is religion that saves us, but the person of Jesus Christ. The Bible emphasizes that our salvation is a result of God's grace and our faith in Jesus, not our religious works or deeds (Ephesians 2:8-9). Frankly, this is why I cannot subscribe to the NIV, but prefer the King James version over others, as I have found that the different versions, which I know are meant to simplify versus for understanding, yet upon examination, do a great disservice by twisting the whole meaning, from how God intended for it to be read.
Not only the verse we studied today, but I have found many verses from the NIV to be inadequate and inaccurate. It says in Scripture that God doesn't want His words changed. He said a curse would be upon those who try. However, just because some have tried to change a few words around, does not mean the whole of God's Word is inaccurate. Though the accusation is that the Bible is contradictory, imperfect, or erroneous, it is still considered sacred and authoritative.
The Bible is a complex and diverse book, written by many authors over a long period of time. While it may appear to contain contradictions and inconsistencies, many of these can be resolved by carefully studying the context, historical background, and literary genre of the passages in question.
The term "religion" in James 1:27 (KJV) speaks of "worship" or "service", highlighting the importance of living out our faith in practical ways, such as caring for the vulnerable. This verse is not about earning salvation through religious practices, but about demonstrating our love for God through our actions.
In conclusion, I would like to submit that Jesus didn't die for certain groups of people or denominations, but that John 3:16 and 17, confirms that Jesus died to save everyone in the world, from the condemnation that sin placed on us.
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." - John 14:6 (KJV)
This verse, spoken by Jesus Himself, emphasizes that He is the exclusive path to the Father, and no one can come to the Father except through Him.
