Devine Scripture

James 2:10

What does James 2:10 mean?

A plain-English look at James 2:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What James 2:10 means

James teaches the unity of God’s law: to keep the whole and yet fail at one point makes one guilty of all. The point is not that every sin is identical, but that the law is an integrated expression of the one Lawgiver’s will. Selective obedience misses the heart of obedience—submission to God Himself. This exposes the folly of thinking we can offset partiality with other virtues. We cannot balance the scales by tallying good deeds; rather, we bow to God’s comprehensive claim on us and seek His mercy and transforming grace for full-orbed obedience.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For anyone who keeps all the law, but makes a slip in one point, is judged to have gone against it all.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for whoever the whole law shall keep, and shall stumble in one <FI>point<Fi> , he hath become guilty of all;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And whosoever shall keep the whole law, but offend in one point, is become guilty of all.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For whoever shall keep the whole law and shall offend in one [point], he has come under the guilt of [breaking] all.

Context

Building on verse 9’s declaration that partiality is sin, verse 10 explains why no one can excuse it by appealing to general faithfulness in other areas. Verse 11 will ground this unity of the law in the identity of the One who gave each command. Then verses 12–13 translate this theology into exhortation: live and speak as those under the “law of liberty,” where mercy is essential. The flow underscores the seriousness of partiality and the need for consistent obedience.

v.9but if ye have respect of persons, ye commit sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors.

v.10This passage

v.11For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou dost not commit adultery, but killest, thou art become a transgressor of the law.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 5:18

    For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass away from the law, till all things be accomplished.

  • Deuteronomy 27:26

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

  • Galatians 3:10

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

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