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James 2:10 Whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad10.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/james/2-9.htm" title="James 2:9">◄</a> James 2:10 <a href="/james/2-11.htm" title="James 2:11">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/james/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter"> (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/james/2.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/james/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/james/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/james/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/james/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />For whoever shall keep the whole Law, but shall stumble in one <i>point</i>, he has become guilty of all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/james/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one <i>point</i>, he is guilty of all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/james/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one <i>point,</i> he is guilty of all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/james/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For whoever keeps the whole Law, yet stumbles in one <i>point,</i> has become guilty of all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/james/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/james/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one <i>point,</i> he has become guilty of all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/james/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one <i>point</i>, he has become guilty of all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/james/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For whoever keeps the whole Law but stumbles in one <i>point,</i> he has become guilty of [breaking] all of it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/james/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For whoever keeps the entire law, and yet stumbles at one point, is guilty of breaking it all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/james/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For whoever keeps the entire law, yet fails in one point, is guilty of breaking it all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/james/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is become guilty of all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/james/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />If you obey every law except one, you are still guilty of breaking them all. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/james/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is become guilty of all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/james/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />If someone obeys all of God's laws except one, that person is guilty of breaking all of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/james/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Whoever breaks one commandment is guilty of breaking them all. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/james/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />For whoever keeps the whole Law but fails in one point is guilty of breaking all of it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/james/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/james/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />For the one who obeys the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/james/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For whoever keeps the whole law, and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/james/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/james/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />A man who has kept the Law as a whole, but has failed to keep some one command, has become guilty of violating all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/james/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For whoever keeps the whole law, and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/james/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />for whoever will keep the whole Law, but will stumble in one [point], he has become guilty of all;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/james/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />For whoever shall keep the whole Law, but shall stumble in one <i>point</i>, he has become guilty of all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/james/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> for whoever the whole law shall keep, and shall stumble in one point, he hath become guilty of all;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/james/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For whoever shall keep the whole law, and stumble in one, has become bound of all.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/james/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And whosoever shall keep the whole law, but offend in one point, is become guilty of all. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/james/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Now whoever has observed the whole law, yet who offends in one matter, has become guilty of all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/james/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />For whoever keeps the whole law, but falls short in one particular, has become guilty in respect to all of it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/james/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/james/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For whoever shall keep the whole law, except that he fail in but one statute, he is guilty as to the whole law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/james/2.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />For whoever keeps the whole Written Law and slips in one thing, he is condemned by the entire Law.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/james/2.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet fail in one, is an offender against all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/james/2.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />For whosoever may keep the whole law, and fail in one item, has become guilty of all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/james/2.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />For whosoever shall keep the whole law, but offendeth in a single particular, he is chargeable with the breach of all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/james/2.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />for he that violates but one precept of the whole law, is as obnoxious to punishment, as if he had broke thro' all the rest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/james/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />A man who has kept the Law as a whole, but has failed to keep some one command, has become guilty of violating all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/james/2.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />For whosoever keeps the whole law, but stumbles in one <i>point</i>, has become guilty of all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/james/2.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />For whosoever shall keep the whole law <i>besides,</i> but offend in one <i>point,</i> he is under the penalty of all:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/james/2-10.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0xUBCzqsAGw?start=320" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/james/2.htm">A Warning against Favoritism</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">9</span>But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. <span class="reftext">10</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason."></a> <a href="/greek/3748.htm" title="3748: Hostis (RelPro-NMS) -- Whosoever, whichsoever, whatsoever. ">Whoever</a> <a href="/greek/5083.htm" title="5083: tērēsē (V-ASA-3S) -- From teros; to guard, i.e. To note; by implication, to detain; by extension, to withhold; by extension, to withhold.">keeps</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/3650.htm" title="3650: holon (Adj-AMS) -- All, the whole, entire, complete. A primary word; whole or all, i.e. Complete, especially as noun or adverb.">whole</a> <a href="/greek/3551.htm" title="3551: nomon (N-AMS) -- From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.">law</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">but</a> <a href="/greek/4417.htm" title="4417: ptaisē (V-ASA-3S) -- To stumble, fall, sin, err, transgress. A form of pipto; to trip, i.e. to err, sin, fail.">stumbles</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">at</a> <a href="/greek/1520.htm" title="1520: heni (Adj-DNS) -- One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.">just one point</a> <a href="/greek/1096.htm" title="1096: gegonen (V-RIA-3S) -- A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.">is</a> <a href="/greek/1777.htm" title="1777: enochos (Adj-NMS) -- Involved in, held in, hence: liable, generally with dat. (or gen.) of the punishment. From enecho; liable to.">guilty</a> <a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: pantōn (Adj-GNP) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">of breaking all of it.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">11</span>For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/3-10.htm">Galatians 3:10</a></span><br />All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-19.htm">Matthew 5:19</a></span><br />So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-19.htm">Romans 3:19-20</a></span><br />Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. / Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/7-7.htm">Romans 7:7-12</a></span><br />What then shall we say? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed, I would not have been mindful of sin if not for the law. For I would not have been aware of coveting if the law had not said, “Do not covet.” / But sin, seizing its opportunity through the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from the law, sin is dead. / Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/27-26.htm">Deuteronomy 27:26</a></span><br />‘Cursed is he who does not put the words of this law into practice.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-18.htm">Matthew 5:18</a></span><br />For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-3.htm">Galatians 5:3</a></span><br />Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/2-25.htm">Romans 2:25-27</a></span><br />Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. / If a man who is not circumcised keeps the requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? / The one who is physically uncircumcised yet keeps the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/18-24.htm">Ezekiel 18:24</a></span><br />But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and practices iniquity, committing the same abominations as the wicked, will he live? None of the righteous acts he did will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness and sin he has committed, he will die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/3-4.htm">1 John 3:4</a></span><br />Everyone who practices sin practices lawlessness as well. Indeed, sin is lawlessness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-23.htm">Matthew 23:23</a></span><br />Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/16-17.htm">Luke 16:17</a></span><br />But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for a single stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/10-5.htm">Romans 10:5</a></span><br />For concerning the righteousness that is by the law, Moses writes: “The man who does these things will live by them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/18-5.htm">Leviticus 18:5</a></span><br />Keep My statutes and My judgments, for the man who does these things will live by them. I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/28-15.htm">Deuteronomy 28:15</a></span><br />If, however, you do not obey the LORD your God by carefully following all His commandments and statutes I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you:</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.</p><p class="hdg">For.</p><p class="hdg">whosoever.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/27-26.htm">Deuteronomy 27:26</a></b></br> Cursed <i>be</i> he that confirmeth not <i>all</i> the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/5-18.htm">Matthew 5:18,19</a></b></br> For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/galatians/3-10.htm">Galatians 3:10</a></b></br> For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed <i>is</i> every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/romans/5-14.htm">Breaking</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-20.htm">Command</a> <a href="/hebrews/4-6.htm">Failed</a> <a href="/2_timothy/2-13.htm">Fails</a> <a href="/galatians/5-10.htm">Guilt</a> <a href="/james/2-9.htm">Guilty</a> <a href="/james/2-9.htm">Judged</a> <a href="/2_timothy/2-21.htm">Keeps</a> <a href="/hebrews/13-4.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/james/2-9.htm">Law</a> <a href="/james/1-25.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/8-13.htm">Offend</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-4.htm">Point</a> <a href="/hebrews/2-1.htm">Slip</a> <a href="/romans/14-21.htm">Stumbles</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/2-7.htm">Violating</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-15.htm">Whole</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/32-24.htm">Breaking</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-21.htm">Command</a> <a href="/james/5-4.htm">Failed</a> <a href="/james/4-17.htm">Fails</a> <a href="/1_peter/3-16.htm">Guilt</a> <a href="/1_peter/3-18.htm">Guilty</a> <a href="/james/2-12.htm">Judged</a> <a href="/james/5-20.htm">Keeps</a> <a href="/james/3-7.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/james/2-11.htm">Law</a> <a href="/james/2-12.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/james/3-2.htm">Offend</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-11.htm">Point</a> <a href="/james/3-2.htm">Slip</a> <a href="/james/3-2.htm">Stumbles</a> <a href="/1_john/3-4.htm">Violating</a> <a href="/james/3-2.htm">Whole</a><div class="vheading2">James 2</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/james/2-1.htm">Do not regard the rich and despise the poor brothers;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/james/2-13.htm">rather we are to be loving and merciful;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/james/2-14.htm">and not to boast of faith without deeds;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/james/2-17.htm">because faith without deeds is useless;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/james/2-19.htm">as is the faith of the demons;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/james/2-21.htm">however, Abraham displayed both faith and actions;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/james/2-25.htm">as did Rahab.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/james/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/james/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/james/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Whoever keeps the whole law</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the Mosaic Law, which was given to the Israelites as a covenantal guide for living a life pleasing to God. The law includes moral, ceremonial, and civil components, and keeping the whole law was seen as an ideal. In the Jewish context, adherence to the law was a sign of faithfulness to God. The law was given at Mount Sinai, and its observance was central to Jewish identity and religious practice.<p><b>but stumbles at just one point</b><br>The idea of stumbling suggests a minor infraction or failure, highlighting human fallibility. In the context of the law, even a small transgression is significant. This reflects the high standard of holiness required by God, as seen in <a href="/leviticus/19-2.htm">Leviticus 19:2</a>, "Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy." The concept of stumbling is also echoed in <a href="/romans/3-23.htm">Romans 3:23</a>, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," indicating universal human imperfection.<p><b>is guilty of breaking all of it</b><br>This statement underscores the indivisibility of the law; breaking one commandment is tantamount to breaking the entire law. This principle is rooted in the unity of God's commandments, reflecting His perfect and unchanging nature. It aligns with <a href="/galatians/3-10.htm">Galatians 3:10</a>, which states that those who rely on the law are under a curse if they do not continue to do everything written in it. This highlights the impossibility of achieving righteousness through the law alone and points to the need for grace and redemption through Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the law perfectly.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/james.htm">James</a></b><br>The author of the epistle, traditionally identified as James, the brother of Jesus and a leader in the early Jerusalem church. He writes to Jewish Christians scattered among the nations, addressing practical aspects of living out their faith.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jewish_christians.htm">Jewish Christians</a></b><br>The primary audience of the letter, who were familiar with the Mosaic Law and its requirements. James addresses their understanding of the law and its fulfillment in Christ.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_law.htm">The Law</a></b><br>Refers to the Mosaic Law given to the Israelites, which includes moral, ceremonial, and civil commandments. James emphasizes the unity and indivisibility of the law.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_unity_of_the_law.htm">The Unity of the Law</a></b><br>The law is a unified whole; breaking one part is akin to breaking all of it. This underscores the impossibility of achieving righteousness through the law alone.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_need_for_grace.htm">The Need for Grace</a></b><br>Recognizing our inability to keep the law perfectly should lead us to rely on God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the law on our behalf.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/humility_in_judgment.htm">Humility in Judgment</a></b><br>Understanding our own shortcomings should foster humility and prevent us from harshly judging others, as we are all in need of grace.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_holiness.htm">The Call to Holiness</a></b><br>While we cannot keep the law perfectly, we are called to strive for holiness and obedience out of love for God, empowered by the Holy Spirit.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_faith_and_works.htm">The Role of Faith and Works</a></b><br>True faith is evidenced by works. While we are not saved by the law, our obedience reflects our faith and love for God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_james_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from James 2</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_one_minor_sin_break_all_law.htm">(James 2:10) How can one seemingly minor offense make someone guilty of breaking the entire law? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/are_all_sins_equally_severe.htm">Are all sins considered equal in severity?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_sexual_sin_uniquely_damaging.htm">If 1 Corinthians 6:18 considers sexual immorality uniquely damaging, how does this square with passages elsewhere that suggest all sins are equally serious? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_you_consider_yourself_morally_good.htm">Do you consider yourself morally good?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/james/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(10) <span class= "bld">For whosoever shall keep . . .</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">have kept the whole Law, but shall have offended in one, has become guilty of all.</span> As a chain is snapped by failure of the weakest link, so the whole Law, in its harmony and completeness as beheld by God, is broken by one offence of one man; and the penalty falls, of its own natural weight and incidence, on the culprit.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/james/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 10.</span> - In this verse the subjunctives <span class="greek">τηρήσῃ πταίσῃ</span>, are rightly read by the Revisors, with <span class="hebrew">א</span>, B, C. The Law was express on the need of keeping <span class="accented">all</span> the commandments; see <a href="/leviticus/19-37.htm">Leviticus 19:37</a> (the same chapter to which St. James has already referred), <span class="greek">Καὶ φυλάξωσθε πάντα τὸν νόμον μου καὶ πάντα</span> <span class="greek">τὰ προστάγματά μου καὶ ποιήσετε αὐτά</span>)<span class="accented">. <span class="cmt_word"></span>He is guilty of all.</span> The very same thought is found in rabbinical writers (Talmud, 'Schabbath,' fol. 70); a saying of R. Johanan: "Quodsi racist omnia unum vero omitter omnium est singulorum reus." Other passages to the same effect may be seen in Schottgen, 'Horae Hebraicae,' vol. 1. p. 1017, etc.; and cf., 'Pirqe Aboth,' 4:15. Was it a false inference from St. James's teaching in this verso that led the Judaizers of <a href="/acts/15.htm">Acts 15</a>. to lay down the law "<span class="accented">Except</span> ye be circumcised after the customs of Moses ye cannot be saved"? "<span class="accented">Whosoever</span> shall keep the whole Law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of <span class="accented">all</span>," might seem to suggest such an inference: "<span class="accented">To</span> whom," says St. James himself, "<span class="accented">we</span> gave no commandment" (<a href="/acts/15-24.htm">Acts 15:24</a>). (On the teaching of this tenth verse there is an interesting letter of Augustine's to Jerome, which well repays study: 'Ep.' 167.) <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/james/2-10.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">Whoever</span><br /><span class="grk">Ὅστις</span> <span class="translit">(Hostis)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3748.htm">Strong's 3748: </a> </span><span class="str2">Whosoever, whichsoever, whatsoever. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">keeps</span><br /><span class="grk">τηρήσῃ</span> <span class="translit">(tērēsē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5083.htm">Strong's 5083: </a> </span><span class="str2">From teros; to guard, i.e. To note; by implication, to detain; by extension, to withhold; by extension, to withhold.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">τὸν</span> <span class="translit">(ton)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">whole</span><br /><span class="grk">ὅλον</span> <span class="translit">(holon)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3650.htm">Strong's 3650: </a> </span><span class="str2">All, the whole, entire, complete. A primary word; 'whole' or 'all', i.e. Complete, especially as noun or adverb.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Law</span><br /><span class="grk">νόμον</span> <span class="translit">(nomon)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3551.htm">Strong's 3551: </a> </span><span class="str2">From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but</span><br /><span class="grk">δὲ</span> <span class="translit">(de)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary particle; but, and, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">stumbles</span><br /><span class="grk">πταίσῃ</span> <span class="translit">(ptaisē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4417.htm">Strong's 4417: </a> </span><span class="str2">To stumble, fall, sin, err, transgress. A form of pipto; to trip, i.e. to err, sin, fail.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">at</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐν</span> <span class="translit">(en)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> </span><span class="str2">In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">just one [point]</span><br /><span class="grk">ἑνί</span> <span class="translit">(heni)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Dative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1520.htm">Strong's 1520: </a> </span><span class="str2">One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is</span><br /><span class="grk">γέγονεν</span> <span class="translit">(gegonen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1096.htm">Strong's 1096: </a> </span><span class="str2">A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">guilty</span><br /><span class="grk">ἔνοχος</span> <span class="translit">(enochos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1777.htm">Strong's 1777: </a> </span><span class="str2">Involved in, held in, hence: liable, generally with dat. (or gen.) of the punishment. From enecho; liable to.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of [breaking] all of it.</span><br /><span class="grk">πάντων</span> <span class="translit">(pantōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Genitive Neuter Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> </span><span class="str2">All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/james/2-10.htm">James 2:10 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/james/2-10.htm">James 2:10 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/james/2-10.htm">James 2:10 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/james/2-10.htm">James 2:10 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/james/2-10.htm">James 2:10 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/james/2-10.htm">James 2:10 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/james/2-10.htm">James 2:10 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/james/2-10.htm">James 2:10 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/james/2-10.htm">James 2:10 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/james/2-10.htm">James 2:10 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/james/2-10.htm">NT Letters: James 2:10 For whoever keeps the whole law (Ja Jas. Jam) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/james/2-9.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="James 2:9"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="James 2:9" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/james/2-11.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="James 2:11"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="James 2:11" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>