Q149. Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God?

Scripture proofs

1. [1]
   James 3:2

   For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

   John 15:5

   I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

   Romans 8:3

   For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

2. [2]
   Ecclesiastes 7:20

   For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

   1 John 1:8

   If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

   1 John 1:10

   If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

   Galatians 5:17

   For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

   Romans 7:18-19

   For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

3. [3]
   Genesis 6:5

   And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

   Genesis 8:21

   And the Lord smelled a sweet savour; and the Lord said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.

4. [4]
   Romans 3:9-19

   What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. …

   James 3:2-13

   For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. …

Proof texts as given in the original; verse text from the King James Version.