James 2:11

For he that said, Doe not commit adultery; sayd also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressour of the Law. James 2:11 (KJV)

The commandments “Thou shalt not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14) and “Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13) are both given by God as integral parts of His law. The passage makes clear that the law is not a collection of optional rules that can be obeyed in parts; rather, it is a unified standard. If a person keeps one commandment perfectly but violates another, the person has become a transgressor of the law. The wording of the verse emphasizes that even when one “commit no adultery,” the act of killing still makes the individual a law‑breaker. This illustrates the principle that selective obedience does not exempt anyone from the consequences of breaking any part of God’s moral code.

The text therefore challenges any notion that one may be righteous by observing only certain statutes while ignoring others. Both the prohibition against adultery and the prohibition against murder are presented side by side to show that the law’s demands are comprehensive. The phrase “thou art become a transgressor of the law” applies equally whether the transgression is sexual immorality or the taking of innocent life. In this way, the passage underscores the seriousness of every command and the impossibility of claiming moral superiority by obeying some commands while violating others.

Consequently, the study calls believers to examine their lives in light of the whole counsel of God, recognizing that partial obedience is insufficient. True fidelity to the law requires that no command be set aside, for the moment one command is broken, the individual stands as a transgressor before God, regardless of any other obedience that may have been observed.