Bible Strands
James 2:8
If you really fulfill the royal law stated in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — James writes to Jewish believers in the diaspora, mid-rebuke of their favoritism toward the wealthy in the assembly (2:1–7). Verse 8 names the standard they are violating before the verdict lands in v. 9.
The words — τελεῖτε (teleite, "you keep/fulfill") implies complete, active obedience, not passive assent. βασιλικόν (basilikón, "royal") marks the command as carrying the weight of a king's decree.
The thread — The command is drawn from Leviticus 19:18 and echoed in Matthew 22:39 and Galatians 5:14, where it is likewise presented as the sum of the law.
Why it lands — James allows no partial compliance: either you love your neighbor as yourself, or you stand convicted as a transgressor of the law (v. 9). The "royal law" is the test that exposes favoritism for what it is.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
Cross-references
- Leviticus 19:18 Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.
- Galatians 5:14 The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
- Matthew 22:39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
- Romans 13:8 Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
- James 2:12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom.
- Leviticus 19:34 You must treat the foreigner living among you as native-born and love him as yourself, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.
- Mark 12:31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”
- Galatians 6:2 Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
- James 1:25 But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom, and continues to do so—not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer—he will be blessed in what he does.
- 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.