# Is “Religion” in the Bible?

> Yes. “Religion” is in the Bible. It appears 5 times in the Lumin Translation and 5 times in the King James Bible.

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/religion
By Andrew Kittridge · October 28, 2026

Religion is rare in the Bible, a handful of times. James 1:27 says pure religion is caring for orphans and widows and keeping oneself untainted by the world.

- Lumin Translation: 5, first in Acts 25:19
- King James Version: 5, first in Acts 26:5

## Where it appears

5 verses in 3 books (Old Testament 0, New Testament 5).

> Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus who had died, but who Paul claimed was alive.
>
> — [Acts 25:19](https://www.lumin.faith/read/acts/25#19) (Lumin Translation)

> They have known me for a long time, and if they are willing, they can testify that I lived as a Pharisee, according to the strictest party of our religion.
>
> — [Acts 26:5](https://www.lumin.faith/read/acts/26#5) (Lumin Translation)

> Such rules indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-made religion, self-abasement, and harsh treatment of the body, but they have no value in restraining the indulgence of the flesh.
>
> — [Colossians 2:23](https://www.lumin.faith/read/colossians/2#23) (Lumin Translation)

> If anyone imagines they are religious while failing to rein in their tongue, they are fooling their own heart, and their religion is futile.
>
> — [James 1:26](https://www.lumin.faith/read/james/1#26) (Lumin Translation)

> Pure and spotless religion in the eyes of God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their hardship and to keep oneself untainted by the world.
>
> — [James 1:27](https://www.lumin.faith/read/james/1#27) (Lumin Translation)

## Common questions

### Is “Religion” in the Bible?

Yes. “Religion” is in the Bible. It appears 5 times in the Lumin Translation and 5 times in the King James Bible. Religion is rare in the Bible, a handful of times. James 1:27 says pure religion is caring for orphans and widows and keeping oneself untainted by the world.

### How many times is “Religion” in the Bible?

Religion appears 5 times in the Lumin Translation and 5 times in the King James Bible. Counts are of exact word forms.

### Where is “Religion” first mentioned in the Bible?

In the Lumin Translation, religion first appears in Acts 25:19: “Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus who had died, but who Paul claimed was alive.”

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