[Pure religion] On the word here rendered "religion" threeskeia (NT:2356), see the notes at Col 2:18 [see below]. It is used here evidently in the sense of piety [Religious devotion and reverence to God.], or as we commonly employ the word religion. The object of the apostle is to describe what enters essentially into religion; what it will do when it is properly and fairly developed. The phrase "pure religion" means that which is genuine and sincere, or which is free from any improper mixture.

Commentary on Colossians 2:18:  The word rendered here "worship"-threeskeia (NT:2356)-occurs in the New Testament only here, in Acts 26:5; and James 1:26-27, in each of which places it is rendered "religion." It means here the religion, or the spirit of humble reverence and devotion which is evinced by the angels; and this accords well with the meaning in James 1:26-27.

[And undefiled before God and the Father] That which God sees to be pure and undefiled. Rosenmuller supposes that there is a metaphor here taken from pearls or gems, which should be pure, or without stain.

Note: God wants our love, devotion, and reverence to Him to be pure and free from any improper mixture.

[Is this] That is, this enters into it; or this is religion such as God approves. The apostle does not say that this is the whole of religion, or that there is nothing else essential to it; but his general design clearly is, to show that religion will lead to a holy life, and he mentions this as a specimen, or an instance of what it will lead us to do.

 The things which he specifies here are in fact two:

(1) that pure religion will lead to a life of practical benevolence; and

(2) that it will keep us unspotted from the world. If these things are found, they show that there is true piety. If they are not, there is none.

Note: This is the great truth of the Salvation Process.  If one strives for pureness in their religion by fervency and full immersion into the Word of God, these fruits, exampled in the discourse as visiting the fatherless and widow will follow as a result.

[To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction] To go to see, to look after, to be ready to aid them. This is an instance or specimen of what true religion will do, showing that it will lead to a life of practical benevolence. It may be remarked in respect to this:

(1) that this has always been regarded as an essential thing in true religion; because

(a) it is thus an imitation of God, who is "a father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows in his holy habitation," (Ps 68:5); and who has always revealed himself as their friend, Deut 10:18; 14:29; Ps 10:14; 82:3; Isa 1:17; Jer 7:7; 49:11; Hos 14:3.

(b) Religion is represented as leading its friends to do this, or this is required everywhere of those who claim to be religious, Isa 1:17; Deut 24:17; 14:29; Ex 22:22; Job 29:11-13.

(2) Where this disposition to be the real friend of the widow and the orphan exists, there will also exist other corresponding things which go to make up the religious character. This will not stand alone. It will show what the heart is, and prove that it will ever be ready to do good. If a man, from proper motives, is the real friend of the widow and the fatherless, he will be the friend of every good word and work, and we may rely on him in any and every way in doing good. –Barnes

Note: The examples of visiting the fatherless and widow are not trivial examples.  God has described Himself as the father of the fatherless and judge of the widows.  By inviting us to this action, He is purely inviting us into His bosom and into His kinship.  He is inviting us to imitate Him  This is high calling.  God has never done this before.  This is how He is building a Family. 

[To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction] Works of charity and mercy are the proper fruits of religion; and none are more especially the objects of charity and mercy than the orphans and widows. False religion may perform acts of mercy and charity; but its motives not being pure, and its principle being defiled, the flesh, self, and hypocrisy, spot the man, and spot his acts. True religion does not merely give something for the relief of the distressed, but it visits them, it takes the oversight of them, it takes them under its care; so episkeptesthai (NT:1960) [diligently] means. It goes to their houses, and speaks to their hearts; it relieves their wants, sympathizes with them in their distresses, instructs them in divine things, and recommends them to God. And all this it does for the Lord's sake. This is the religion of Christ. The religion that does not prove itself by works of charity and mercy is not of God. –Clarke

Note:  If a person's religion is impure, it will be found out.  True religion is diligent and goes beyond the simple gesture of mercy.  It is founded on one's character and the invoking of the Holy Spirit.  It is selfless and is often done with only God watching.

Pure religion and undefiled, [kathara (NT:2513)]. "Pure" is that love which has in it no foreign admixture-self-deceit and hypocrisy: [amiantos (NT:283)], "undefiled" is the means of its being "pure" (Tittmann). "Pure" expresses the positive, "undefiled" the negative side of religious service: as visiting the fatherless, etc., is the active, keeping himself unspotted from the world the passive side of religious duty. This is the nobler shape that our religious exercises take, instead of the ceremonial offices of the law. –JFB

Note:  Pure religion takes diligent action. When our focus is Christ, the Word of God and action invoked with diligence and perseverance we remain unspotted from the world.

Lessons 37: Instructions –
 
 1) Understand the meaning of pure and undefiled religion.
 2) Strive to keep your religion and its elements [love, service and diligence] pure...genuine and sincere, and free from any improper mixture.
 3) Imitate the character and actions of God and Christ.
 4) Visit the fatherless and the widow.  Give diligent and sustained service to them.  Speak to their heart, sympathize with their distress, instruct them in divine things and recommend them to God [by your words, actions and character].
 5) Focus on Christ and the Word of God and thus keep yourself unspotted from the world.

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