James 2:9

But if you have respect to persons, you commit sin, being reproved by the law as transgressors.

Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner, 1752)

In The King James Version

But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

In Context

8If then you fulfil the royal law, according to the scriptures: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself; you do well.

10And whosoever shall keep the whole law, but offend in one point, is become guilty of all. Guilty of all... That is, he becomes a transgressor of the law in such a manner, that the observing of all other points will not avail him to salvation; for he despises the lawgiver, and breaks through the great and general commandment of charity, even by one mortal sin. For all the precepts of the law are to be considered as one total and entire law, and as it were a chain of precepts, where, by breaking one link of this chain, the whole chain is broken, or the integrity of the law consisting of a collection of precepts. A sinner, therefore, by a grievous offence against any one precept, incurs eternal punishment; yet the punishment in hell shall be greater for those who have been greater sinners, as a greater reward shall be for those in heaven who have lived with greater sanctity and perfection.

Read all of James 2

Cross References

John 8:9But they hearing this, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest. And Jesus alone remained, and the woman standing in the midst.

John 16:8And when he is come, he will convince the world of sin and of justice and of judgment. He will convince the world of sin, etc... The Holy Ghost, by his coming brought over many thousands, first, to a sense of their sin in not believing in Christ. Secondly, to a conviction of the justice of Christ, now sitting at the right hand of his Father. And thirdly, to a right apprehension of the judgment prepared for them that choose to follow Satan, who is already judged and condemned.

Romans 7:7What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? God forbid! But I do not know sin, but by the law. For I had not known concupiscence, if the law did not say: Thou shalt not covet.

Galatians 2:19For I, through the law, am dead to the law, that I may live to God; with Christ I am nailed to the cross.

1 John 3:4Whosoever committeth sin committeth also iniquity. And sin is iniquity. Iniquity... transgression of the law.

Matthew Henry on James 2:9-14

The Christian Law. ( a. d. 61.) 8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: 9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. 10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak ye, and so… Read the whole commentary →

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