In this passage James shows that he has no use for those who merely hear the word of truth (1: 18) and do not let it change their lives (1:21-24). In this, James reminds us of the prophetic teaching of the Old Testament, for example in Amos, Isaiah and Jeremiah, and also the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 7:26-27. 'But anyone who hears these words of mine and does not obey them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain poured down, the rivers overflowed, the wind blew hard against that house, and it fell. And what a terrible fall that was!'

 
The house built up on sand

In 1:21-22 James indicates his understanding of the man of true faith.

He is someone who submits to God and accepts the saving word of truth which God puts into his heart, so that his life is changed. He puts the teaching he hears into practice. In 1:25 the reference to the perfect law that sets people free (the law of liberty) may be understood as referring to the teaching of Jesus Christ, such as we find in the Sermon on the Mount, and to teaching about Jesus Christ, our perfect example.

1: 19-26 reflects the kind of teaching found in Proverbs 13 :3, 10: 19, 11 :12-13,12:18,16:27-28, as well as the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 5 :33-37. James has more to say about control of the tongue later in the letter.

1:27 reflects an important emphasis in the teaching of the Old Testament prophets (e.g. Zechariah 7 :6-10), the psalmists (Psalm 68 :5) and in the Jewish Law (Exodus 22 :22). Widows and orphans were particularly vulnerable and helpless people and represent all those who could be ill-treated and mercilessly exploited. Those whose love for God was genuine would care for these whom it was very easy to ignore and neglect. The teaching of 1:27 was needed in the harsh and immoral situations in which many of the new churches had been established.

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