James 2:10 - Exposition

In this verse the subjunctives τηρήσῃ πταίσῃ , are rightly read by the Revisors, with א , B, C. The Law was express on the need of keeping all the commandments; see Le 19:37 (the same chapter to which St. James has already referred), καὶ φυλάξωσθε πάντα τὸν νόμον μου καὶ πάντα τὰ προστάγματά μου καὶ ποιήσετε αὐτά ) . He is guilty of all. The very same thought is found in rabbinical writers (Talmud, 'Schabbath,' fol. 70); a saying of R. Johanan: "Quodsi racist omnia unum vero omitter omnium est singulorum reus." Other passages to the same effect may be seen in Schottgen, 'Horae Hebraicae,' vol. 1. p. 1017, etc.; and cf., 'Pirqe Aboth,' 4.15. Was it a false inference from St. James's teaching in this verso that led the Judaizers of Acts 15:1-41 . to lay down the law " Except ye be circumcised after the customs of Moses ye cannot be saved"? " Whosoever shall keep the whole Law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all ," might seem to suggest such an inference: " To whom," says St. James himself, " we gave no commandment" ( Acts 15:24 ).