Kara Sears
In James 2:8–9, the author refers to Leviticus 19:18 as the royal law, which states: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. This is one of the two greatest commandments, according to Jesus, who said that all the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. James is addressing the issue of favouritism and discrimination among believers, arguing that those who show favouritism towards others are committing a sin and are transgressors of the law. He further emphasises that the royal law is not just a set of rules, but God's path for those who follow Him.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| The Royal Law | Love your neighbour as yourself |
| Source of the Royal Law | Scripture, Leviticus, Jesus |
| Consequence of fulfilling the Royal Law | Doing well |
| Consequence of not fulfilling the Royal Law | Committing sin, being a transgressor |
| Royal Law in relation to other laws | The Royal Law is one of the two most important laws |
What You'll Learn
The Royal Law is the basis of American liberty
The "Royal Law" is a biblical term that appears in James 2:8, which states:
> "If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well."
This law is derived from Leviticus 19:18, which reads:
> "Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord."
Jesus reiterated this commandment, referring to it as one of the two greatest commandments:
> "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind... And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.'"
The "Royal Law" is significant as it serves as the basis of American liberty. The personal and political liberty protected in the founding documents of the United States, such as the Declaration of Independence, stems from the Founders' appreciation of this law. The Declaration famously states that all people "are created equal" and possess "certain inalienable rights." This idea of equality and universal rights is rooted in the belief that all people are equally loved by their Creator, as outlined in the "Royal Law."
The "Royal Law" also acts as a guide for Christians to live by. James emphasizes that fulfilling this law is commendable and that Christians should strive to follow it. By obeying this law, Christians demonstrate their love for God and their neighbours, which is of utmost importance according to Jesus.
In conclusion, the "Royal Law" is not just a biblical concept but has had a profound impact on the foundation of American liberty. It continues to guide Christians in their daily lives, reminding them to treat others with love and respect.
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The Royal Law condemns all as sinners
The Royal Law, as outlined in James 2:8, states:
> "If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well."
This law is derived from Leviticus 19:18, which reads:
> "Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord."
James, in his epistle, is addressing the issue of favouritism and discrimination among the early Christian community. He argues that by showing favouritism, one commits a sin and transgresses God's law. This is a serious matter, as discrimination was prevalent among the believers.
The Royal Law, given by God, the King of the Universe, and instituted by Jesus Christ, is a law of freedom rather than bondage. It is one of the two most important laws mentioned by Jesus, along with "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind."
The significance of the Royal Law lies in its condemnation of all as sinners. James writes that if we break this law, we "commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors" (James 2:9). Furthermore, he states that "whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all" (James 2:10). This means that even if we follow most of the commandments, breaking just one makes us guilty of breaking them all.
The Royal Law serves as a guide for Christians to live by. It is not enough to simply obey the law; Christians are called to love their neighbour as themselves. This love is an expression of our love for God and should extend to all people, regardless of their status or background.
In conclusion, the Royal Law, as referred to by James, condemns all as sinners. It is a call to love our neighbours as ourselves, and by doing so, we fulfil the law and live according to God's commandments. This law is of utmost importance, and its observance is essential for Christians seeking to mature in their faith and follow Jesus's teachings.
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The Royal Law is the guide for Christians to live by
The Royal Law is the ultimate guide for Christians on how to live their lives. It is a "kingly" law, belonging to the King, and is therefore of the utmost importance.
The law, as stated in Leviticus 19:18, is: "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself". This is reiterated by Jesus, who says it is one of the two greatest commandments. The other being to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind".
James, in his epistle, refers to this law in the context of not indulging in gossip, not bearing false witness against others, loving enough to correct a sinner, and not holding a grudge or planning revenge. James highlights that this law is not just a set of rules, but a way for those who follow Christ to live their lives.
The Royal Law is also the basis of American Liberty. The Founding Fathers of the United States were influenced by the Great Awakening, a spiritual event that emphasised the importance of this law. The Declaration of Independence states that all men are created equal and have the same unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This concept of equality is rooted in the belief that all men are equally loved by their Creator.
Furthermore, James argues that those who break this commandment are sinners. He writes, "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all". This means that if one breaks just one of God's laws, they are "guilty of all". However, recognising that we are sinners is the first step towards salvation. Jesus came into the world to save sinners, and by condemning us, the Royal Law shows us our need for salvation.
In conclusion, the Royal Law is the ultimate guide for Christians, instructing them to love their neighbours as themselves. This law is not just a set of rules, but a way of life that shapes how Christians interact with others.
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The Royal Law is instituted by the King of Kings
The Royal Law is a reference to Leviticus 19:18, which states: "Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord." This commandment is reiterated by Jesus, who calls it one of the two greatest commandments.
The Apostle James, in his epistle, refers to this commandment as the "royal law" to emphasise its importance and authority. The word "royal" here signifies that the law is regal, belonging to the sovereign or preeminent—a king's law. It is instituted by the King of Kings, Jesus Christ, and is therefore of the highest importance for Christians.
James uses this reference to address the issue of favouritism and discrimination among believers. He argues that if one fulfils the royal law, they are doing well. However, if they show favouritism, they commit sin and transgress the law. James reminds his readers that this law is not just one option among many but that it is of utmost importance, given its royal nature.
The Royal Law is not a law of bondage and slavery but a law of freedom found in Jesus. It is a guide for Christians to live by, encouraging them to love their neighbours as themselves and treat others with kindness, respect, and love. This law is also seen as the basis of American liberty, with the Founding Fathers influenced by the belief that all men are loved equally by their Creator.
Overall, the Royal Law, instituted by the King of Kings, serves as a reminder for Christians to live by and emphasises the importance of loving one's neighbour.
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The Royal Law is a law of freedom, not bondage
The Royal Law, as described in James 2:8, is a law of freedom, not bondage.
James, in his epistle, refers to the law as "royal", which is understood to mean regal, belonging to a sovereign or king. This law, given by God, is of utmost importance and is to be followed by Christians. It is not a law that enslaves but rather one that liberates, as it is found in Jesus.
The Royal Law is a direct quote from Leviticus 19:18, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself". Jesus Himself states that this is one of the greatest commandments (Matthew 22:36-40, Mark 12:28-31). James, in his letter, is addressing the issue of favouritism and discrimination among believers. He argues that if one shows favouritism, they commit sin and are transgressors of the law.
The law is "royal" because it comes from the highest King and is of utmost importance. It is a law that should be obeyed, not because it is a set of rules, but because it is God's path for those who follow Him. It is a law that brings freedom, as it sets people free from sin and gives them a new desire to live for God and follow His ways.
James emphasises that this law is not just about the consequences of sin but also about a rejection of God's authority. Those who claim to follow Christ must also keep His commands and not be inconsistent in their adherence to the law.
The Royal Law is a guide for Christians to live by, a path to freedom and a way to show our love for God.
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Frequently asked questions
The royal law is a reference to Leviticus 19:18, which states: "Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord."
James may be referring to this law as "royal" to indicate its importance, as it was reiterated by Jesus as one of the two greatest commandments. The law was given by God, who is the true King of Israel and the Christian community.
James is addressing the issue of favouritism and discrimination among believers. He argues that by showing favouritism, one is transgressing the royal law, as it goes against the commandment to "love thy neighbour as thyself."
