James 2:8

Translations

Modern

If you really fulfill the royal law stated in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.

Traditional

If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

Literal

If indeed you fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.

Latin

Si tamen legem perficitis regalem secundum Scripturas: Diliges proximum tuum sicut teipsum: bene facitis:

Original

Greek

English

If you really fulfill the royal law stated in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.

Notes

James 2:8

Christians should obey (literally fulfill) the royal law, just as Jesus fulfilled the law by coming and teaching ((Matthew 5:17; 22:34–40).
It is the royal law because it belongs to the kingdom and our glorious Lord (King) gave it (James 2:5).
in Scripture: James shifts from a general mention of the law to a specific commandment from “the holiness code” (Leviticus 19). It explains how we show our love for God through relationships with others (see Leviticus 19:18; Deuteronomy 6:5).
Love your neighbor as yourself: This quote from Leviticus 19:18 means treating your neighbor as you would treat yourself.

James 2:8–13

James uses the Bible to argue against the common practice of favoring wealthy and powerful people.

Theme notes and profiles

James, Brother of Jesus Concern for the Poor Religious Hypocrisy Social Justice The Coming of the Lord as Judge The Family Redeemer Wealth and Poverty in the Wisdom Literature

Related verses

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 13:8–9
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.
Mark 12:31–33
The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”
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.
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.
Luke 10:27–37
He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
1 Thessalonians 4:9
Now about brotherly love, you do not need anyone to write to you, because you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.

Glossary

Book of Habakkuk Compassion Letter of James Neighbor New Commandment

Topics

Commandments: Other Apostles: Precepts of, Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles Faith: General Scriptures Concerning Family Relationships Help Others Love of Man for Man Love to Man is the Fulfilling of the Law Loving your Neighbor Neighbor: General Scriptures Concerning Poor: Duty To Religion: True Respect of Persons: (Partiality)) Selfishness: Contrary to the Law of God The Law of Moses: Called: Royal Law The Seven Deadly Sins Unselfishness: General Scriptures Concerning

James 2:8

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