Word study of James 2:8-11

¶ … James 2: 8-11

Prior to examining the meaning of the text in James 2: 8-11, it is necessary for one to gain an astute understanding of the specific words employed within this passage. Doing so will add substantial value to an explication and exegesis of this passage. Additionally, a word analysis will indicate to the reader what some of the most important concepts in this passage are. Therefore, a word analysis will be conducted in order to further the overall comprehension of this particular text, both within the context of the book of James as well as within the Bible itself. Doing so proves that this passage functions as a warning.

In James 2: 8, the most important words are "royal law," and "Scripture." In James 2: 9, the best words to analyze include "favoritism," "sin," and "lawbreakers." In verse 10 of this passage the most important words are "stumbles," "guilty," and "breaking." Although there are important words in the eleventh and final verse in this particular scripture, none are worthy of analysis since those that are, have already been selected within previous verses. Moreover, this final sentence merely serves to provide an example of concepts denoted earlier in the passage.

In James 2:8, the range of meaning for royal law encompasses an application to the literal law or government of man, as well as to the royal love of Moses which is based on the ten commandments. Another interpretation of this phrase is for the law of nature. However, because of the adjective royal, it is more than likely that the author is referring to the law of Moses, which was also alternately referred to as The Law (Guralnick, 1968 p. 799). The range of interpretations for the term scriptures includes simply written language or anything that was written down, the Bible, or again the scriptures that Moses procured as the Ten Commandments. Since the term Scriptures is capitalized in this passage, it must refer to the Ten Commandments.

In the ninth verse of this scripture, there is a limitation on the meanings of the term favoritism. For the most part, favoritism simply refers to a propensity for evincing a preference for something, which is generally considered one's favorite. James uses this word to indicate that royal law is without favoritism, and that God loves all without discrimination. Therefore, showing favoritism in love is unlawful. The range of meanings for sin includes the pronunciation of one of the letters in the Greek alphabet (Studylight), as well as a breaking of religious or moral law. Given the context of the flow of this passage as a whole, the reader can infer that the latter definition applies. This interpretation of sin is in accordance with the definitions of the term lawbreaker, which has a fairly limited range and refers to the breaking of either religious or governmental law. The entire passage appears to be talking about the law of Moses' ten commandments, so it seems as though the former applies.

In verse 10, the range of meanings for stumble applies to both its literal and figurative definition. Literally, a stumble is a misstep in which an individual is no longer walking correctly. Figuratively, those steps apply to living in a righteous manner. Therefore, in this passage it appears that the term means to "fall into sin or error" (Guralnick, 1968, p.1415). The range of meanings for guilty encompass being blameworthy for something as well as to be the opposite of innocent. The Hebrew term for this word is ashem (BibleHub). However, the meaning that best applies to the direction of the words in this passage is to have committed some sort of wrong -- a transgression against the Ten Commandments. There are several different definitions to which the ancient etymology of the term breaking refers to. One is to splinter or sunder something, much like breaking a vase. Another is to make something injured so that it is no longer able to be put to use. Breaking can also refer to an argument and a literal or figurative separation between people. However, based on the meanings of the other words in this passage, breaking best refers to as a variation from law and a rupturing from acceptable behavior.

In conclusion, an analysis of the most important words in James 2: 8-11 reveals that this passage is concerned with adhering to the law of the Ten Commandments. There is an emphasis on not varying from this sort of law, and an acknowledgement that such variation is possible for those who are not vigilant of this fact. After establishing that the law refereed to is that of the Ten Commandments, many of the words in this passage pertain to negative applications to that law or failure to adhere to them -- which is a sign of admonition.

Analyzing the Sentences

You keep scripture really the royal law found in But

You sin, convicted lawbreakers

And

Stumbles

at just one point is guilty

But