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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - James 2:10 - 2:10
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Whosoever shall keep (hostis tērēsēi). Indefinite relative clause with hostis and aorist active subjunctive of tēreō, old verb, to guard (from tēros guarding), as in Mat 27:36, without an (though often used, but only one example of modal ean=an in James, viz., Jam 4:4). This modal an (ean) merely interprets the sentence as either more indefinite or more definite (Robertson, Grammar, p. 957f.).
And yet stumble in one point (ptaisēi de en heni). First aorist active subjunctive also of ptaiō, old verb, to trip, as in Jam 3:2; Rom 11:11. “It is incipient falling” (Hort).
He is become (gegonen). Second perfect indicative of ginomai, “he has become” by that one stumble.
Guilty of all (pantōn enochos). Genitive of the crime with enochos, old adjective from enechō (to hold on or in), held in, as in Mar 3:29. This is law. To be a lawbreaker one does not have to violate all the laws, but he must keep all the law (holon ton nomon) to be a law-abiding citizen, even laws that one does not like. See Mat 5:18. for this same principle. There is Talmudic parallel: “If a man do all, but omit one, he is guilty for all and each.” This is a pertinent principle also for those who try to save themselves. But James is urging obedience to all God’s laws.