King James Version

What Does James 2:10 Mean?

James 2:10 in the King James Version says “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” — study this verse from James chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

James 2:10 · KJV

Context

8

If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

9

But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

10

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

11

For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. he that: or, that law which

12

So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. Whoever keeps the whole law yet stumbles (ptaiē, πταίῃ) in one point is guilty of all. The law is a unified expression of God's character; breaking part violates the whole. This undercuts self-justification that tolerates favoritism while boasting in other virtues.

Reformed theology affirms the law's spiritual unity and our inability to keep it perfectly. James reminds believers that selective obedience is hypocrisy; we need mercy and must extend it to others.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jewish teachers sometimes categorized laws by weight; James insists that the moral law stands as a whole. This resonates with Paul's teaching in Galatians 3 that failing at one point puts us under a curse apart from Christ. Diaspora believers tempted to minimize certain sins needed this warning.

Reflection Questions

  1. Where do you excuse selective obedience in your life?
  2. How does the unity of God's law point you to Christ?
  3. What area of obedience have you neglected because you excel elsewhere?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 13 words
ὅστις1 of 13

“whosoever”

G3748

which some, i.e., any that; also (definite) which same

γὰρ2 of 13

“For”

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

ὅλον3 of 13

“the whole”

G3650

"whole" or "all", i.e., complete (in extent, amount, time or degree), especially (neuter) as noun or adverb

τὸν4 of 13
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

νόμον5 of 13

“law”

G3551

law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat

τηρήσει,6 of 13

“shall keep”

G5083

to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from g5442, which is properly to prevent escaping; and from g2892

πταίσει7 of 13

“offend”

G4417

to trip, i.e., (figuratively) to err, sin, fail (of salvation)

δὲ8 of 13

“and yet”

G1161

but, and, etc

ἐν9 of 13

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ἑνί10 of 13

“one”

G1520

one

γέγονεν11 of 13

“point he is”

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

πάντων12 of 13

“of all”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ἔνοχος13 of 13

“guilty”

G1777

liable to (a condition, penalty or imputation)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of James. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

James 2:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to James 2:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Galatians 3:10Matthew 5:18-19Deuteronomy 27:26

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