James 2:10

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
James 2:10 delivers a profound declaration regarding the nature of God's divine law, asserting its indivisible unity. This verse reveals that to transgress even a single commandment is to stand guilty before the entirety of God's perfect standard, underscoring the comprehensive and qualitative nature of sin as an offense against the Lawgiver Himself, rather than merely an isolated misstep against one of His many commands.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** James 2:10 is strategically placed within James's broader exhortation on the nature of authentic faith, which he argues must be demonstrated through good works. Immediately preceding this verse, James condemns the sin of partiality or favoritism (specifically towards the rich over the poor, as seen in [James 2:1-4](/james/2-1-4 "James 2:1-4 - Warning Against Partiality")). He contrasts this discriminatory behavior with the "royal law" found in [Leviticus 19:18](/leviticus/19-18 "Leviticus 19:18 - Love Your Neighbor as Yourself"), which is "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" ([James 2:8](/james/2-8 "James 2:8 - The Royal Law")). James then declares that if his readers show partiality, they commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors ([James 2:9](/james/2-9 "James 2:9 - Partiality as Sin")). Verse 10 serves as the theological bedrock for this assertion, clarifying *why* showing partiality (a violation of one command) makes one guilty of the whole law. It reinforces the idea that God's commands are not a cafeteria-style menu from which one can pick and choose, but a unified expression of His holy character.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** James's audience was likely Jewish Christians, deeply steeped in the Old Testament and the Mosaic Law. For centuries, Jewish thought had grappled with the interpretation and application of the Torah. While the Law contained 613 commandments, there was also an understanding of its underlying unity, often summarized by principles like the Shema ([Deuteronomy 6:4-5](/deuteronomy/6-4-5 "Deuteronomy 6:4-5 - The Shema")) or the command to love one's neighbor. However, there could also be a tendency towards legalism, where meticulous adherence to certain visible commands might be emphasized while others were overlooked or rationalized. James directly challenges any such selective obedience, reminding his audience that the Law originates from one divine Lawgiver. To break any part of it is to dishonor the Lawgiver and the covenant relationship He established, regardless of how "minor" the transgression might seem. This context highlights the radical demand of God's holiness and the comprehensive nature of His moral standard.
* **Key Themes:** James 2:10 powerfully contributes to several key themes within the epistle and broader biblical theology. One central theme is **The Indivisibility of God's Law**. James presents the divine law not as a disconnected list of statutes, but as a unified, organic whole, reflecting the singular, consistent character of God. To violate one command is to assault the integrity of the entire divine standard and to dishonor the Lawgiver Himself. This leads directly to the theme of **The Seriousness of Sin**. This verse elevates sin beyond mere isolated missteps, revealing it as a fundamental rebellion against God's authority and a breach of the covenant relationship. Even a single transgression demonstrates a heart not fully submitted to God's will, thus rendering one "guilty of all" in a qualitative sense, not necessarily having committed every sin, but having broken the principle of obedience to the one Lawgiver. Consequently, James 2:10 profoundly highlights **Human Inability to Achieve Righteousness by Works**. If perfect, holistic obedience to the entire law is required for righteousness, then this verse makes it unequivocally clear that no human being can attain it on their own. This sets the stage for understanding the absolute necessity of God's grace and mercy, as no one can claim innocence or merit before a perfectly holy God based on their own performance, echoing the truth found in [Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned") that "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **law (Greek, _nómos'_):** This term (G3551) broadly refers to the divine moral law, particularly the Mosaic Law, which for James's audience represented the revealed will of God. It signifies a prescriptive usage, a regulation given by divine authority. In this context, it emphasizes the unified body of God's commands, not merely individual statutes.
* **offend (Greek, _ptaíō'_):** Derived from a verb meaning "to trip" or "to fall," _ptaíō_ (G4417) figuratively means "to err," "to sin," or "to stumble." It suggests even a single lapse or misstep is sufficient to demonstrate a failure to uphold the perfect standard of the law, highlighting the qualitative impact of even a seemingly minor transgression.
* **guilty (Greek, _énochos'_):** This word (G1777) means "liable to (a condition, penalty, or imputation)." To be "guilty of all" does not imply that one has committed every single sin, but rather that one is liable for the full penalty of breaking the covenant, having dishonored the Lawgiver who established the entire code. It signifies a comprehensive qualitative condemnation, not a quantitative one.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For whosoever shall keep the whole law,"**: This clause sets up a hypothetical scenario, acknowledging the human desire or attempt to meticulously obey God's commands. The phrase "the whole law" (Greek: _holos nomos_) emphasizes the entirety and unity of God's revealed will, implying that true obedience requires adherence to every single precept without exception or omission. It highlights the absolute and comprehensive nature of God's standard.
* **"and yet offend in one [point],"**: This is the critical turning point of the verse. The word "offend" (_ptaíō_) signifies a stumble or a failure, even in a single instance or a seemingly minor command. The phrase "in one [point]" underscores that even a singular transgression, irrespective of its perceived severity, is sufficient to break the perfect chain of obedience. It shatters any illusion that partial obedience can render one righteous.
* **"he is guilty of all."**: This climactic declaration reveals the profound consequence of even a single transgression. "Guilty of all" (_énochos pantōn_) does not mean the person has committed every sin, but rather that they are liable for the full condemnation that comes from violating the Law of God. The Law is a unified expression of God's character; to break one part is to affront the Lawgiver and thus to break the entire covenant relationship. It is a qualitative guilt, indicating a failure to meet God's perfect standard and a breach of the divine covenant.

#### Literary Devices
James employs several potent literary devices in this verse to convey his weighty message. The primary device is **Hyperbole**, where the statement "he is guilty of all" is an exaggeration used for emphasis. It does not mean that a person who commits one sin is literally guilty of every single sin ever committed (e.g., murder, theft, adultery), but rather that the qualitative guilt incurred by breaking even one commandment is so profound that it renders one liable for the full penalty of breaking the entire divine code. This hyperbole underscores the seriousness and indivisible nature of God's law. Additionally, there is an implicit **Merism** at play, where "the whole law" and "one point" together represent the entire spectrum of God's commandments, emphasizing that no part is independent of the whole. Finally, the verse uses **Contrast** between the ideal of "keeping the whole law" and the reality of "offend[ing] in one [point]," starkly highlighting the impossibility of human perfect obedience and the comprehensive nature of divine judgment against sin.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
James 2:10 is a cornerstone for understanding the absolute holiness of God and the comprehensive nature of His divine law. It reveals that God's character is indivisible, and therefore His commands, which flow from His character, are equally unified. To violate any single command is not merely to break a rule, but to affront the very nature of the Lawgiver. This verse shatters any humanistic notion of partial righteousness, demonstrating that God's standard is perfection, and anything less falls short. It emphasizes that sin, even in its smallest manifestation, is a serious offense against a holy God, rendering the transgressor fully accountable to the entire covenant. This profound truth prepares the heart to grasp the necessity of a righteousness that comes from outside oneself.

* [Deuteronomy 27:26](/deuteronomy/27-26 "Deuteronomy 27:26 - Curse for Disobedience")
* [Galatians 3:10](/galatians/3-10 "Galatians 3:10 - Under the Curse of the Law")
* [Matthew 22:37-40](/matthew/22-37-40 "Matthew 22:37-40 - The Greatest Commandment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
James 2:10 serves as a profound and humbling mirror, reflecting our inherent inability to perfectly meet God's righteous standard. It shatters any illusion of self-righteousness, compelling us to abandon the futile endeavor of earning God's favor through our own flawed efforts. Understanding that even a single transgression makes us "guilty of all" should cultivate a deep sense of humility and a profound dependence on God's unmerited grace. This verse does not negate the pursuit of holiness, but rather reorients it: we strive for holistic obedience not to earn salvation, but as a grateful response to the One who has already secured it for us. It calls believers to examine every area of their lives, recognizing that God's commands are interconnected and reveal His unified character, discouraging any compartmentalization of faith or selective adherence to what we deem important. Ultimately, it drives us to embrace the radical truth that our standing before God is not based on our performance, but on the perfect performance of another.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to show "partiality" or selectively obey God's commands, considering some less important than others?**
* **How does the truth that "offending in one point" makes me "guilty of all" deepen my understanding of my own sinfulness and my need for grace?**
* **If my righteousness cannot come from keeping the law, how does this verse motivate me to pursue holiness out of love and gratitude for God, rather than out of obligation or fear?**
* **How does this verse challenge any lingering self-righteousness or pride in my spiritual journey?**

### FAQ

**Does this mean one sin makes me as bad as a murderer or an adulterer?**

Answer: No, James 2:10 does not mean that all sins are quantitatively equal in their consequences or severity in the eyes of society or even God (e.g., [Matthew 10:15](/matthew/10-15 "Matthew 10:15 - More Tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah")). Rather, it means that any single sin, regardless of its perceived magnitude, is a qualitative breach of God's perfect and unified law. It demonstrates a failure to meet His absolute standard of holiness and an offense against the Lawgiver Himself. The guilt is "of all" because the Law is a single, integrated expression of God's will; to break any part is to break the whole, making one liable for the full condemnation of the Law. It highlights the principle that a single crack can compromise the integrity of an entire structure.

**If I can't keep the whole law, what's the point of trying to obey God at all?**

Answer: James 2:10 powerfully reveals our inherent inability to achieve righteousness through perfect law-keeping, which points us to our desperate need for a Savior. The point of trying to obey God is not to earn salvation, for salvation is a gift received by grace through faith in Jesus Christ ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith")). Instead, our obedience becomes a joyful and grateful response to the salvation we have already received. It is a demonstration of our love for God ([John 14:15](/john/14-15 "John 14:15 - If You Love Me, Keep My Commandments")), a pursuit of holiness as we are conformed to Christ's image ([Romans 12:1-2](/romans/12-1-2 "Romans 12:1-2 - Living Sacrifice")), and a witness to the world. While we will never perfectly keep the law in this life, the understanding from James 2:10 should humble us, drive us to Christ for forgiveness, and motivate us to strive for holistic obedience out of love for the One who fulfilled the law on our behalf.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
James 2:10, with its stark declaration of universal guilt for even a single transgression, powerfully underscores humanity's desperate need for a perfect deliverer, a need uniquely and completely fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The Law, as James presents it, is an unbreakable, unified standard, and humanity's consistent failure to uphold it reveals our utter inability to achieve righteousness on our own. It is precisely this insurmountable barrier that Christ came to conquer. He alone perfectly "kept the whole law" during His earthly life, living a sinless existence that perfectly honored every jot and tittle of God's commands ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). More profoundly, He bore the full weight of humanity's collective guilt, becoming "guilty of all" in our place, taking upon Himself the penalty for every single offense against God's holy law. Through His sacrificial death, Christ absorbed the curse of the Law ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law")), and through His resurrection, He offers His perfect righteousness to all who believe. Thus, what is impossible for us—to be found righteous before the whole law—is made possible through faith in the One who perfectly fulfilled it and paid its ultimate price, allowing us to be declared righteous in Him ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Galatians 3:10

For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

Matthew 5:18

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.

Matthew 5:19

Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach [them], the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Deuteronomy 27:26

Cursed [be] he that confirmeth not [all] the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.