James 2:10

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one [point], he is guilty of all.

Complete Jewish Bible:

For a person who keeps the whole Torah, yet stumbles at one point, has become guilty of breaking them all.

Berean Standard Bible:

Whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.

American Standard Version:

For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is become guilty of all.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

For^{G1063} whosoever^{G3748} shall keep^{G5083} the whole^{G3650} law^{G3551}, and yet^{G1161} offend^{G4417} in^{G1722} one^{G1520} point, he is^{G1096} guilty^{G1777} of all^{G3956}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for James 2:10

James 2:10 is a verse from the New Testament, specifically from the Epistle of James, a letter traditionally attributed to James the Just, the brother of Jesus and a leader in the early Christian community in Jerusalem. This epistle is known for its practical approach to Christian ethics and is often considered a general letter to Jewish Christians scattered abroad.

The verse reads, "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it." This statement is situated within a broader discussion on favoritism and the importance of treating all individuals equally, regardless of their social status. James is emphasizing that partiality is a violation of love and that the law of God, particularly the command to love one's neighbor, is an indivisible whole.

The historical context of this verse reflects the struggles of the early Christian communities as they navigated the complexities of Jewish law and their new faith in Christ. James argues that the law's demands are comprehensive; failure to uphold even a single commandment is equivalent to transgressing the entire law. This teaching underscores the principle that righteousness under the law requires complete and perfect obedience, which is an impossible standard for humans to meet. Thus, James's message points to the need for God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the law on behalf of believers.

In summary, James 2:10 encapsulates the idea that moral and spiritual integrity is not achieved by selective obedience to God's law. Instead, it calls for consistent adherence to all of God's commands, highlighting the necessity of relying on God's mercy and the righteousness that comes through faith in Jesus Christ, rather than attempting to earn God's favor through the law. This verse serves as a stark reminder of the high standards of God's law and the human inability to perfectly keep it, thus reinforcing the centrality of grace in the Christian faith.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1063
   There are 1016 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: γάρ
   Transliteration: gár
   Pronunciation: gar
   Description: a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: G3748
   There are 148 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὅστις
   Transliteration: hóstis
   Pronunciation: hot'-ee
   Description: from ὅς and τὶς; which some, i.e. any that; also (definite) which same:--X and (they), (such) as, (they) that, in that they, what(-soever), whereas ye, (they) which, who(-soever). Compare ὅτι.
   
3. Strong's Number: G5083
   There are 68 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: τηρέω
   Transliteration: tēréō
   Pronunciation: tay-reh'-o
   Description: from (a watch; perhaps akin to θεωρέω); to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from φυλάσσω, which is properly to prevent escaping; and from κουστωδία, which implies a fortress or full military lines of apparatus), i.e. to note (a prophecy; figuratively, to fulfil a command); by implication, to detain (in custody; figuratively, to maintain); by extension, to withhold (for personal ends; figuratively, to keep unmarried); by extension, to withhold (for personal ends; figuratively, to keep unmarried):--hold fast, keep(- er), (pre-, re-)serve, watch.
   
4. Strong's Number: G3650
   There are 99 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὅλος
   Transliteration: hólos
   Pronunciation: hol'-os
   Description: a primary word; "whole" or "all", i.e. complete (in extent, amount, time or degree), especially (neuter) as noun or adverb:--all, altogether, every whit, + throughout, whole.
   
5. Strong's Number: G3551
   There are 158 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: νόμος
   Transliteration: nómos
   Pronunciation: nom'-os
   Description: from a primary (to parcel out, especially food or grazing to animals); law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of Moses (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively (a principle):--law.
   
6. Strong's Number: G1161
   There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δέ
   Transliteration: dé
   Pronunciation: deh
   Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
   
7. Strong's Number: G4417
   There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πταίω
   Transliteration: ptaíō
   Pronunciation: ptah'-yo
   Description: a form of πίπτω; to trip, i.e. (figuratively) to err, sin, fail (of salvation):--fall, offend, stumble.
   
8. Strong's Number: G1722
   There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐν
   Transliteration: en
   Pronunciation: en
   Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
   
9. Strong's Number: G1520
   There are 235 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἷς
   Transliteration: heîs
   Pronunciation: hice
   Description: a primary numeral; one:--a(-n, -ny, certain), + abundantly, man, one (another), only, other, some. See also εἷς καθ’ εἷς, μηδείς, μία, οὐδείς.
   
10. Strong's Number: G1096
    There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: γίνομαι
    Transliteration: gínomai
    Pronunciation: ghin'-om-ahee
    Description: a prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.):--arise, be assembled, be(-come, -fall, -have self), be brought (to pass), (be) come (to pass), continue, be divided, draw, be ended, fall, be finished, follow, be found, be fulfilled, + God forbid, grow, happen, have, be kept, be made, be married, be ordained to be, partake, pass, be performed, be published, require, seem, be showed, X soon as it was, sound, be taken, be turned, use, wax, will, would, be wrought.
    
11. Strong's Number: G1777
    There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἔνοχος
    Transliteration: énochos
    Pronunciation: en'-okh-os
    Description: from ἐνέχω; liable to (a condition, penalty or imputation):--in danger of, guilty of, subject to.
    
12. Strong's Number: G3956
    There are 1075 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πᾶς
    Transliteration: pâs
    Pronunciation: pas
    Description: including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.