Bible Commentary

James 2:10

The Pulpit Commentary on James 2:10

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

The obedience which God requires is absolute.

"Whosoever shall keep the whole Law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." Why, since the breach of but one command is certainly not as sinful as the breach of all? Because

"Compound for sins they are inclined to,

By damning those they have no mind to."

As Christians, we are not entitled to bow down in the house of Rimmon, nor does the strictest obedience to one command give us a dispensation to break another; e.g. spotless chastity on the part of the unfallen will not atone for Pharisaism and harshness to the fallen, for "if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the Law."

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