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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

James 1:21–27

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
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.
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.
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

35 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 21

  1. Ephesians 4:22Rank 1 from verse 21
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    22That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

  2. 1 Peter 2:11Rank 2 from verse 21
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    11Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

  3. Ephesians 1:13Rank 3 from verse 21
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    13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

  4. John 6:63Rank 4 from verse 21
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    63It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

  5. Psalms 25:9Rank 5 from verse 21
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    9The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.

From verse 22

  1. Romans 2:13Rank 1 from verse 22
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    13(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

  2. Luke 6:46–48Rank 2 from verse 22
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    46¶ And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

    47Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:

    48He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

  3. John 13:17Rank 3 from verse 22
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    17If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

  4. James 4:17Rank 4 from verse 22
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    17Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

  5. 1 John 2:3Rank 5 from verse 22
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    3And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

From verse 23

  1. Matthew 7:26–27Rank 1 from verse 23
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    26And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

    27And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

  2. James 2:14–26Rank 2 from verse 23
    Open

    14What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

    15If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

    16And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

    17Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

    18Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

    19Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

    20But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

    21Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

    22Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

    23And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

    24Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

    25Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

    26For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

  3. Ezekiel 33:31–32Rank 3 from verse 23
    Open

    31And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.

    32And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.

  4. Luke 6:47Rank 4 from verse 23
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    47Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:

  5. Jeremiah 44:16Rank 5 from verse 23
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    16As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the Lord, we will not hearken unto thee.

From verse 24

  1. 2 Peter 3:11Rank 1 from verse 24
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    11Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

  2. Luke 1:66Rank 2 from verse 24
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    66And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.

  3. Luke 7:39Rank 3 from verse 24
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    39Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

  4. 1 Thessalonians 1:5Rank 4 from verse 24
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    5For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

  5. Judges 8:18Rank 5 from verse 24
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    18¶ Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom ye slew at Tabor? And they answered, As thou art, so were they; each one resembled the children of a king.

From verse 25

  1. Luke 11:28Rank 1 from verse 25
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    28But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

  2. John 13:17Rank 2 from verse 25
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    17If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

  3. 2 Corinthians 3:17–18Rank 3 from verse 25
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    17Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

    18But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

  4. 1 Peter 2:16Rank 4 from verse 25
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    16As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

  5. Luke 6:47–49Rank 5 from verse 25
    Open

    47Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:

    48He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

    49But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

From verse 26

  1. Ephesians 4:29Rank 1 from verse 26
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    29Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

  2. Psalms 141:3Rank 2 from verse 26
    Open

    3Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

  3. 1 Peter 3:10Rank 3 from verse 26
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    10For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

  4. Ephesians 5:4Rank 4 from verse 26
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    4Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

  5. Proverbs 19:1Rank 5 from verse 26
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    1BETTER is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

From verse 27

  1. Isaiah 1:16–17Rank 1 from verse 27
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    16¶ Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;

    17Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

  2. 1 John 3:17–19Rank 2 from verse 27
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    17But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

    18My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

    19And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

  3. Galatians 6:9–10Rank 3 from verse 27
    Open

    9And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

    10As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

  4. Romans 12:2Rank 4 from verse 27
    Open

    2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

  5. Matthew 25:34–46Rank 5 from verse 27
    Open

    34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

    35For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

    36Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

    37Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

    38When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

    39Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

    40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

    41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

    42For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

    43I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

    44Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

    45Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

    46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

James 1:21

COMBINED MEANING

wherefore

↗

1. For that reason, or as a conclusion from what precedes; therefore or consequently. 2. For what reason or purpose; why.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

lay

↗

Sense 1: To put, place, set, arrange, deposit, apply, establish, impose, or cause to be in a stated position or condition. Sense 2: As the past tense of lie, to recline, rest, be situated, or remain in a state. Sense 3: In lay with, to have sexual relations. Sense 4: To press or bear upon. Sense 5: In lay up, lay by, or lay in store, to keep, store, or treasure; in lay wait, lay snares, lay an ambush, or lay siege, to prepare or set. Sense 6: In lay hold or lay hands on, to seize, take, apprehend, or touch. Sense 7: In lay down one's life, to surrender or give it; in lay aside, lay apart, or lay away, to remove, reject, or put off.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

word

↗

Sense 1: A spoken or written expression, saying, message, command, promise, report, or matter. Sense 2: God's revealed word.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

which

↗

1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

able

↗

Having physical power sufficient; having competent power or strength, bodily or mental.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

save

↗

Sense 1: To rescue, deliver, preserve, keep alive, heal, recover, or bring safely through. Sense 2: Except or apart from.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

your

↗

The possessive form of ye or you, ordinarily plural, marking what belongs to, concerns, proceeds from, or stands in relation to the persons addressed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

James 1:22

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

ye

↗

The second-person plural subject pronoun, referring to the persons being addressed as those who are, do, or receive the stated predicate.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

word

↗

Sense 1: A spoken or written expression, saying, message, command, promise, report, or matter. Sense 2: God's revealed word.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

deceiving

↗

Present-participial or verbal-noun form of deceive, meaning to mislead, cause to believe what is false, or conceal the truth by fraud or error.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

your

↗

The possessive form of ye or you, ordinarily plural, marking what belongs to, concerns, proceeds from, or stands in relation to the persons addressed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

James 1:23

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

hearer

↗

One who hears; one who attends to what is orally delivered by another; an auditor; one of an audience.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

word

↗

Sense 1: A spoken or written expression, saying, message, command, promise, report, or matter. Sense 2: God's revealed word.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

doer

↗

One who performs what is required; one who observes, keeps or obeys, in practice.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

like

↗

Sense 1: Similar or of the same kind; in the same manner; likely. Sense 2: A like person or thing; an equal or counterpart. Sense 3: To please, choose, or regard with favour.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

beholding

↗

Present-participial or verbal-noun form of behold, meaning to look upon, see, observe, or witness.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

natural

↗

Belonging to birth, bodily life, ordinary created nature, native relation, or instinct.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

face

↗

The front of the head and its countenance or expression; the front, surface, outward appearance, presence, view, or personally known identity of a person, place, or thing.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

glass

↗

Sense 1: A looking-glass or mirror. Sense 2: A clear, glasslike material or substance.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

James 1:24

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

James 1:25

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

looketh

↗

Third-person singular present form of look, meaning to direct the eyes or attention; to behold, observe, expect, or take heed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

perfect

↗

Complete, whole, sound, mature, upright, fully fitted, finished, exact, or lacking nothing required for the person, work, knowledge, state, purpose, or standard in view; to perfect is to bring to that intended completion or maturity.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

law

↗

Sense 1: An authoritative rule, command, ordinance, instruction, standard, or body of requirements. Sense 2: The writings containing such instruction. Sense 3: A governing principle, power, regular order, or civil rule. Sense 4: In family compounds, relationship by marriage.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

therein

↗

In, within, during, or concerning that place, person, thing, condition, time, or matter previously mentioned.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

hearer

↗

One who hears; one who attends to what is orally delivered by another; an auditor; one of an audience.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

doer

↗

One who performs what is required; one who observes, keeps or obeys, in practice.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

work

↗

Sense 1: Labour, occupation, an assigned task, or service. Sense 2: An action, deed, operation, effect, product, thing made, or manner of workmanship. Sense 3: To labour, act, operate, perform, make, produce, accomplish, or bring about.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

shall

↗

An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

blessed

↗

1. Favoured by God, endowed with good, or declared happy. 2. Spoke good of, praised, thanked, or bestowed a blessing upon.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

deed

↗

Sense 1: An act or thing done. Sense 2: In the expression in very deed, in fact or in reality.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

James 1:26

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

you

↗

The second-person plural pronoun referring to those being addressed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

seem

↗

To appear, be regarded, or be fitting.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

tongue

↗

1. The organ of the mouth used for tasting and speech. 2. Speech, words, or a language. 3. A tongue-shaped projection or arm of land or water.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

heart

↗

Sense 1: The bodily organ. Sense 2: The inward person: the mind, will, affections, conscience, or moral character.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

vain

↗

Empty, fruitless, ineffective, unprofitable, worthless, false, unsubstantial, or conceited.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

James 1:27

COMBINED MEANING

pure

↗

Clean, undefiled, unmixed, uncorrupted, genuine, clear, or sincere; free from contaminating matter or evil.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

before

↗

Earlier than in time; in front of; in the presence of; or prior in order or rank.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

father

↗

Sense 1: A male parent or begetter. Sense 2: An ancestor, forefather, founder, source, originator, chief, elder, or one bearing paternal authority and care. Sense 3: God as Father, including the Father of Jesus Christ and of those described as his children.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

visit

↗

1. To go or come to see, attend, or inspect. 2. To help or show mercy. 3. To call to account.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

keep

↗

To guard, watch, protect, preserve, secure, retain, possess, hold, maintain, support, tend, manage, observe, obey, fulfil, celebrate, continue in, refrain from, or remain faithful to a person, place, trust, command, promise, way, time, or thing.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

unspotted

↗

Kept free from stain, pollution, defilement, or corrupting influence.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

FOLLOW THE THEME

Related Concepts

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READ BEFORE AND AFTER

Surrounding Verses

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20For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

21Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

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22But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

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23For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

Selected passage

24For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

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25But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

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26If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.

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27Pure 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.

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