James 1:27

Now James goes on to explain what pure and undefiled religion is. Of course we don't want worthless religion, which is of a person who does not carefully watch what he says. James probably could say that undefiled religion is the opposite of those whose religion is worthless. It is probably true, but it is also already implied by what was said earlier. James steps further to say that it has to do with caring for the orphans and widows. What James says seems a bit odd and is certainly opposite of the culture. The Pharisees were viewed as the spiritual elite of the day and I'd like to think that they were too cool for the orphans and widows. In addition, pure religion has to do with keeping oneself unstained from the world. The world is dirty and we are not to be the same as them. It's not that we're any better than them, but we've been graciously saved. Turning away from our sin, we no longer walk in it as the world does. This is part of what undefiled religion looks like.