Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. New Living Translation 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. English Standard Version For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. Berean Standard Bible Whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. Berean Literal Bible For whoever shall keep the whole Law, but shall stumble in one point, he has become guilty of all. King James Bible For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. New King James Version For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. New American Standard Bible For whoever keeps the whole Law, yet stumbles in one point, has become guilty of all. NASB 1995 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. NASB 1977 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. Legacy Standard Bible For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. Amplified Bible For whoever keeps the whole Law but stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of [breaking] all of it. Christian Standard Bible For whoever keeps the entire law, and yet stumbles at one point, is guilty of breaking it all. Holman Christian Standard Bible For whoever keeps the entire law, yet fails in one point, is guilty of breaking it all. American Standard Version For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is become guilty of all. Contemporary English Version If you obey every law except one, you are still guilty of breaking them all. English Revised Version For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is become guilty of all. GOD'S WORD® Translation If someone obeys all of God's laws except one, that person is guilty of breaking all of them. Good News Translation Whoever breaks one commandment is guilty of breaking them all. International Standard Version For whoever keeps the whole Law but fails in one point is guilty of breaking all of it. Majority Standard Bible Whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. NET Bible For the one who obeys the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. New Heart English Bible For whoever keeps the whole law, and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. Webster's Bible Translation For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. Weymouth New Testament A man who has kept the Law as a whole, but has failed to keep some one command, has become guilty of violating all. World English Bible For whoever keeps the whole law, and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionfor whoever will keep the whole Law, but will stumble in one [point], he has become guilty of all; Berean Literal Bible For whoever shall keep the whole Law, but shall stumble in one point, he has become guilty of all. Young's Literal Translation for whoever the whole law shall keep, and shall stumble in one point, he hath become guilty of all; Smith's Literal Translation For whoever shall keep the whole law, and stumble in one, has become bound of all. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd whosoever shall keep the whole law, but offend in one point, is become guilty of all. Catholic Public Domain Version Now whoever has observed the whole law, yet who offends in one matter, has become guilty of all. New American Bible For whoever keeps the whole law, but falls short in one particular, has become guilty in respect to all of it. New Revised Standard Version For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleFor whoever shall keep the whole law, except that he fail in but one statute, he is guilty as to the whole law. Aramaic Bible in Plain English For whoever keeps the whole Written Law and slips in one thing, he is condemned by the entire Law. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentFor whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet fail in one, is an offender against all. Godbey New Testament For whosoever may keep the whole law, and fail in one item, has become guilty of all. Haweis New Testament For whosoever shall keep the whole law, but offendeth in a single particular, he is chargeable with the breach of all. Mace New Testament 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. Weymouth New Testament A man who has kept the Law as a whole, but has failed to keep some one command, has become guilty of violating all. Worrell New Testament For whosoever keeps the whole law, but stumbles in one point, has become guilty of all. Worsley New Testament For whosoever shall keep the whole law besides, but offend in one point, he is under the penalty of all: Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context A Warning against Favoritism…9But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 Whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11For 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.… Cross References Galatians 3:10 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.” Matthew 5:19 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. Romans 3:19-20 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. Romans 7:7-12 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. ... Deuteronomy 27:26 ‘Cursed is he who does not put the words of this law into practice.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ Matthew 5:18 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. Galatians 5:3 Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. Romans 2:25-27 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. Ezekiel 18:24 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. 1 John 3:4 Everyone who practices sin practices lawlessness as well. Indeed, sin is lawlessness. Matthew 23:23 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. Luke 16:17 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. Romans 10:5 For concerning the righteousness that is by the law, Moses writes: “The man who does these things will live by them.” Leviticus 18:5 Keep My statutes and My judgments, for the man who does these things will live by them. I am the LORD. Deuteronomy 28:15 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: Treasury of Scripture For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For. whosoever. Deuteronomy 27:26 Matthew 5:18,19 Galatians 3:10 Jump to Previous Breaking Command Failed Fails Guilt Guilty Judged Keeps Kept Law Makes Offend Point Slip Stumbles Violating WholeJump to Next Breaking Command Failed Fails Guilt Guilty Judged Keeps Kept Law Makes Offend Point Slip Stumbles Violating WholeJames 2 1. Do not regard the rich and despise the poor brothers;13. rather we are to be loving and merciful; 14. and not to boast of faith without deeds; 17. because faith without deeds is useless; 19. as is the faith of the demons; 21. however, Abraham displayed both faith and actions; 25. as did Rahab. Whoever keeps the whole law 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 Greek word for "keeps" (τηρήσῃ, tēresē) implies a diligent observance and careful attention to the commandments. Historically, the Jewish people were deeply committed to the law, viewing it as a divine gift that set them apart as God's chosen people. The phrase underscores the high standard of righteousness that the law demands, reflecting God's holiness and justice. but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it Persons / Places / Events 1. JamesThe 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. 2. Jewish Christians 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. 3. The Law 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. Teaching Points The Unity of the LawThe 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. The Need for Grace 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. Humility in Judgment Understanding our own shortcomings should foster humility and prevent us from harshly judging others, as we are all in need of grace. The Call to Holiness 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. The Role of Faith and Works True faith is evidenced by works. While we are not saved by the law, our obedience reflects our faith and love for God.(10) For whosoever shall keep . . .--Better, have kept the whole Law, but shall have offended in one, has become guilty of all. 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.Verse 10. - In this verse the subjunctives τηρήσῃ πταίσῃ, are rightly read by the Revisors, with א, B, C. The Law was express on the need of keeping all the commandments; see Leviticus 19:37 (the same chapter to which St. James has already referred), Καὶ φυλάξωσθε πάντα τὸν νόμον μου καὶ πάντα τὰ προστάγματά μου καὶ ποιήσετε αὐτά). He is guilty of all. 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 Acts 15. to lay down the law "Except ye be circumcised after the customs of Moses ye cannot be saved"? "Whosoever shall keep the whole Law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all," might seem to suggest such an inference: "To whom," says St. James himself, "we gave no commandment" (Acts 15:24). (On the teaching of this tenth verse there is an interesting letter of Augustine's to Jerome, which well repays study: 'Ep.' 167.) Parallel Commentaries ... Greek WhoeverὍστις (Hostis) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3748: Whosoever, whichsoever, whatsoever. keeps τηρήσῃ (tērēsē) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 5083: From teros; to guard, i.e. To note; by implication, to detain; by extension, to withhold; by extension, to withhold. the τὸν (ton) Article - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. whole ὅλον (holon) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 3650: All, the whole, entire, complete. A primary word; 'whole' or 'all', i.e. Complete, especially as noun or adverb. Law νόμον (nomon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 3551: From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively. but δὲ (de) Conjunction Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc. stumbles πταίσῃ (ptaisē) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 4417: To stumble, fall, sin, err, transgress. A form of pipto; to trip, i.e. to err, sin, fail. at ἐν (en) Preposition Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. just one [point] ἑνί (heni) Adjective - Dative Neuter Singular Strong's 1520: One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one. is γέγονεν (gegonen) Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude. guilty ἔνοχος (enochos) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 1777: Involved in, held in, hence: liable, generally with dat. (or gen.) of the punishment. From enecho; liable to. of [breaking] all of it. πάντων (pantōn) Adjective - Genitive Neuter Plural Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. Links James 2:10 NIVJames 2:10 NLT James 2:10 ESV James 2:10 NASB James 2:10 KJV James 2:10 BibleApps.com James 2:10 Biblia Paralela James 2:10 Chinese Bible James 2:10 French Bible James 2:10 Catholic Bible NT Letters: James 2:10 For whoever keeps the whole law (Ja Jas. Jam) |