James 2:8

Authorized King James Version

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

Original Language Analysis

εἰ If G1487
εἰ If
Strong's: G1487
Word #: 1 of 16
if, whether, that, etc
μέντοι G3305
μέντοι
Strong's: G3305
Word #: 2 of 16
indeed though, i.e., however
νόμον law G3551
νόμον law
Strong's: G3551
Word #: 3 of 16
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat
τελεῖτε ye fulfil G5055
τελεῖτε ye fulfil
Strong's: G5055
Word #: 4 of 16
to end, i.e., complete, execute, conclude, discharge (a debt)
βασιλικὸν the royal G937
βασιλικὸν the royal
Strong's: G937
Word #: 5 of 16
regal (in relation), i.e., (literally) belonging to (or befitting) the sovereign (as land, dress, or a courtier), or (figuratively) preeminent
κατὰ according to G2596
κατὰ according to
Strong's: G2596
Word #: 6 of 16
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
τὴν G3588
τὴν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 7 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γραφήν the scripture G1124
γραφήν the scripture
Strong's: G1124
Word #: 8 of 16
a document, i.e., holy writ (or its contents or a statement in it)
Ἀγαπήσεις Thou shalt love G25
Ἀγαπήσεις Thou shalt love
Strong's: G25
Word #: 9 of 16
to love (in a social or moral sense)
τὸν G3588
τὸν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 10 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πλησίον neighbour G4139
πλησίον neighbour
Strong's: G4139
Word #: 11 of 16
(adverbially) close by; as noun, a neighbor, i.e., fellow (as man, countryman, christian or friend)
σου thy G4675
σου thy
Strong's: G4675
Word #: 12 of 16
of thee, thy
ὡς as G5613
ὡς as
Strong's: G5613
Word #: 13 of 16
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
σεαυτόν thyself G4572
σεαυτόν thyself
Strong's: G4572
Word #: 14 of 16
of (with, to) thyself
καλῶς well G2573
καλῶς well
Strong's: G2573
Word #: 15 of 16
well (usually morally)
ποιεῖτε· ye do G4160
ποιεῖτε· ye do
Strong's: G4160
Word #: 16 of 16
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

Analysis & Commentary

If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: James commends fulfilling the royal law (nomon basilikon, νόμον βασιλικόν) according to Scripture: "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself" (Leviticus 19:18). Love is royal because it comes from the King and governs His kingdom. Partiality violates this law by withholding love from certain neighbors.

Reformed ethics center on love as the summary of the moral law. Faith expresses itself through love (Galatians 5:6). James anchors his argument in Scripture, showing that the moral demands of Torah continue for Christians.

Historical Context

James, presiding over the Jerusalem council, affirmed that Gentile converts need not bear ceremonial burdens but must keep moral essentials—especially love. Diaspora believers needed clarity that loving neighbor fulfills the law, echoing Jesus' teaching and Paul's summary in Romans 13.

Calling it a royal law reminded them that their allegiance was to King Jesus, not to local patrons.

Questions for Reflection

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