Have you ever noticed how some of the simplest statements are the most difficult to implement into real living? Here, James builds upon what has gone before – the fact that bigotry in any form violates the royal law of spirituality. In the simplest of language, James reiterates his proposition that sin is sin – no matter how it is colored or camouflaged. Furthermore, although a person may be a wonderful human being, should he violate one part of the law, he has become a sinner.
Both of the action verbs in James 2.10 are future active indicative. What that means is that James makes his argument, not on past performance, but on future performance. Supposing that someone begins with a clean slate at the moment this exhortation begins, James states that the one who will keep (tereo – “carefully guard and attend to”) the whole (holos –“in its entirety, each particular aspect”) law, yet offend (ptaiō – “to stumble, to err, make a mistake”) in one area becomes a sinner.
I suppose that none of us can lay claim to being more conscientious about keeping the Law than the Pharisees. Someone recently suggested that they would be considered the “Fundamentalists” of their day because they believed in all the important teachings of what God had revealed through His special revelation; furthermore, they attempted to live up to all that they considered right and proper. To that our Lord said: “For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5.20)
Notice the word “offend.” The Greek word, ptaio, does not in any sense suggest a premeditated or intentional overstepping of the Law. The word suggests a mishap or tripping over something undetected. The person of whom James speaks is a meticulous follower of what is right, but somehow misses a wrong he has not considered. He fails of perfection. He is (gínomai – “to become”) guilty (enochos – “bound, under obligation, subject to, liable”) of all. Again, looking with a forward moving perspective, should someone begin at a certain point and have a clean slate, the moment that person stumbles over an enticement – even accidentally – it results in that person finding himself under the obligation of sin.
James gives a variety of illustrations and comparisons. Using the sins of murder and adultery – two fairly egregious sins – should we not be guilty of one of those, yet show partiality towards our fellowman (James 2.9 – “have respect to persons”) we have fallen into the trap of sinfulness. Although some sins have more problematic consequences, any sin is considered a transgression (parabátēs {transgression} – a violator of the law).
While James addresses the actions which are sinful, we must remember that we do not become sinful when we sin but rather we sin because we are sinful. David realized this truth and cried out: “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.” (Psalm 51.5)
So what is the sinner to do? Our Savior understands all of our shortcomings – including the things that would deceive us. He gave Himself to be the propitiation for our sins. (I John 2.2; 4.10) Rather than remaining in our sinful condition, we have a Savior to whom we can fly. As we confess and forsake our sin, we find ourselves back in our Savior’s good graces and enjoying sweet fellowship with our Great God and Savior. (Titus 2.13)
Copyright © 2023 Dr. John H. Hill, All rights reserved.
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