Religion

"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world."
James 1:27

This is an interesting verse from James, which is probably one of my favorite books of the Bible.

What does "religion" in this context mean? Does "religion that is pure and undefiled before God" mean Christianity? Are we to take the exhortation to visit orphans and widows in their affliction literally? These are good questions, and I don't necessarily have the perfect answer to all of them, but here/below is what I think:

Before I get into that, here is some Greek concordance of the word "religion" in James 1:27:

BIB: θρησκεία καθαρὰ καὶ               NAS: and undefiled religion in the sight 

KJV: Pure religion and undefiled     INT: Religion pure and

Here is some Wikipedia not-so-exhaustive research:

"Eusebeia" enters the New Testament in later writings, where it is typically translated as "godliness," a vague translation that reflects uncertainty about its relevant meaning in the New Testament. For example, "Divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness (eusébeia), through the true (full, personal, experiential) knowledge of Him Who called us by His own glory and excellence." Peter (2 Pet 1:3) As the following quotation demonstrates, interpreters erroneously adapt the meaning of eusebeia to fit their idea of what is appropriate to Christian practice (and not on philological grounds): 

The word εὐσέβεια as it is used in the Greek New Testament carries the meaning of "godliness", and is distinct from θρησκεία (thrēskeia), "religion". Eusebeia relates to real, true, vital, and spiritual relation with God, while thrēskeia relates to the outward acts of religious observances or ceremonies, which can be performed by the flesh. The English word "religion" was never used in the sense of true godliness. It always meant the outward forms of worship. In 1Ti 3:16, the Mystery, or secret connected with true Christianity as distinct from religion. It is the Genitive of relation. (This specific meaning occurs only in Act 3:12.)] This word arises in the Greek New Testament in 1Ti 2:2, 1Ti 3:16, 1Ti 4:7, 1Ti 4:8, 1Ti 6:3, 1Ti 6:5, 1Ti 6:6, 1Ti 6:11, 2Ti 3:5, Tit 1:1, 2Pe 1:3, 2Pe 1:6, 2Pe 1:7, 2Pe 3:11.^[6]

The Greek transliteration of "religion" is  "thrēskeia." In contrast, godliness, or eusebeia, as it is written in 2 Peter 1:3, is true. It is truth—a real, vital, and spiritual relation with God. True religion is to visit orphans and widows.

          True religion is to love.