Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
Thinketh himself to be religious (dokei qrhskov einai). Condition of first class (ei-dokei). Qrhskov (of uncertain etymology, perhaps from qreomai, to mutter forms of prayer) is predicate nominative after einai, agreeing with the subject of dokei (either "he seems" or "he thinks"). This source of self-deception is in saying and doing. The word qrhskov is found nowhere else except in lexicons. Hatch (Essays in Biblical Greek, pp. 55-57) shows that it refers to the external observances of public worship, such as church attendance, almsgiving, prayer, fasting (Mat. 6:1-18). It is the Pharisaic element in Christian worship.
While he bridleth not his tongue (mh xalinagwgwn glwssan eautou). "Not bridling his own tongue." A reference to verse James 1:19 and the metaphor is repeated in James 3:12. This is the earliest known example of the compound xalinagwgew (xalinov, bridle ago, to lead). It occurs also in Lucian. The picture is that of a man putting the bridle in his own mouth, not in that of another. See the similar metaphor of muzzling (fimow) one's mouth (Matthew 22:12 efimwqh).
Deceiveth (apatwn). Present active participle from apath (deceit). He plays a trick on himself.
Religion (qrhskeia). Later form of qrhskih (Herodotus) from qrhskov above. It means religious worship in its external observances, religious exercise or discipline, but not to the exclusion of reverence. In the N.T. we have it also in Acts 26:5 of Judaism and in Colossians 2:18 of worshipping angels. It is vain (mataiov, feminine form same as masculine) or empty. Comes to nothing.
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing James 1:26:
Acts 26:5
James 2:12
James 3:1
James 3:2
James 4:11
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