The Royal Law
“If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:” James 2:8 (KJV)
This phrase occurs only here in Scripture. James chooses a term for the Law that usually refers to the Law as a whole rather than a term for an individual command. This is in keeping with Jesus’ response to the question, “What is the first (great) commandment?” [Matthew 22:36, Mark 12:28] His two-part answer included a commandment regarding man’s relationship to God and this command which covers man’s relationship to his fellow-man.
This same commandment was also part of the response given to Jesus by a certain lawyer. [Luke 10:25-27] It is here that Jesus links “love thy neighbor” to the well-known story of the Good Samaritan.
Paul further explains “For all the law is fulfilled… Continue reading
