{Whosoever shall keep} (hostis t(8872)(8873)(8869)). Indefinite
relative clause with hostis and aorist active subjunctive of
(8872)e(935c), old verb, to guard (from (8872)os guarding), as in Mt
27:36 , without an (though often used, but only one example of
modal ean=an in James, viz., 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} (ptais(8869) de en heni). First aorist active
subjunctive also of ptai(935c), old verb, to trip, as in 3:2 Ro
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} (pant(936e) enochos).
Genitive of the crime with enochos, old adjective from enech(935c)
(to hold on or in), held in, as in Mr 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 (holon ton nomon) to be a law-abiding
citizen, even laws that one does not like. See Mt 5:18f. 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.
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