Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
Whosoever shall keep (ostiv thrhsh). Indefinite relative clause with ostiv and aorist active subjunctive of threw, old verb, to guard (from throv guarding), as in Matthew 27:36, without an (though often used, but only one example of modal ean=an in James, viz., James 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 (ptaish de en eni). First aorist active subjunctive also of ptaiw, old verb, to trip, as in James 3:2; Romans 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 (pantwn enoxov). Genitive of the crime with enoxov, old adjective from enexw (to hold on or in), held in, as in Mark 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 (olon ton nomon) to be a law-abiding citizen, even laws that one does not like. See Matthew 5:18 f. 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.
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
James 2:8
James 3:2
2 Peter 1:10
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