Royal Law

James 2:6-8 - But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong? If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right.

Leviticus 19:18 - " 'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

Romans 13:8 - Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.

Conclusions:

• The law of love is called royal because it is the supreme law that is the source of all other laws governing human relationships
• The royal law is the summation of all laws
• Love your neighbor as yourself is quoted by Christ, Paul and James
• The stricter Pharisees added to “love your neighbor as yourself” what they thought it implied: Hate your enemy
• Jesus reaction to hate your enemy was love your enemies. Jesus reaction was in line with the Old Testament teaching and was more in agreement with the middle-of-the-road Pharisees
• Rabbi Nahmanides caught the sentiments of the middle-of-the-road Pharisees: One should place no limitations upon the love for the neighbor, but instead a person should love to do an abundance of good for his fellow being as he does for himself
• Neighbor does not merely mean one who lives nearby, but anyone with whom one comes in contact
• To love is the one debt that is never paid off
• No matter how much one has loved, he is under obligation to keep on loving
• Loving one another includes not only fellow Christians but all people, as loving his fellow man makes clear
• The law is the Mosaic law, which lays down both moral and social responsibilities

Application:

• Are you loving your neighbor as yourself?
• Do you seek revenge or bear grudges against people?
• Do you love all people?

All Scripture verses from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible