James 2:8 If you really fulfill the royal law stated in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing well.

◄ James 2:8 ►

New International Version
If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.

New Living Translation
Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

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

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

Berean Literal Bible
If indeed you keep the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing well.

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

New King James Version
If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well;

New American Standard Bible
If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF,” you are doing well.

NASB 1995
If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF,” you are doing well.

NASB 1977
If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law, according to the Scripture, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF,” you are doing well.

Legacy Standard Bible
If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF,” you are doing well.

Amplified Bible
If, however, you are [really] fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF [that is, if you have an unselfish concern for others and do things for their benefit]” you are doing well.

Christian Standard Bible
Indeed, if you fulfill the royal law prescribed in the Scripture, Love your neighbor as yourself, you are doing well.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Indeed, if you keep the royal law prescribed in the Scripture, Love your neighbor as yourself, you are doing well.

American Standard Version
Howbeit if ye fulfil the royal law, according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well:

Contemporary English Version
You will do all right, if you obey the most important law in the Scriptures. It is the law that commands us to love others as much as we love ourselves.

English Revised Version
Howbeit if ye fulfill the royal law, according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You are doing right if you obey this law from the highest authority: "Love your neighbor as you love yourself."

Good News Translation
You will be doing the right thing if you obey the law of the Kingdom, which is found in the scripture, "Love your neighbor as you love yourself."

International Standard Version
Nevertheless, you are doing the right thing if you obey the royal Law in keeping with the Scripture, "You must love your neighbor as yourself."

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

NET Bible
But if you fulfill the royal law as expressed in this scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing well.

New Heart English Bible
However, if you fulfill the royal law, according to the Scripture, "You are to love your neighbor as yourself," you do well.

Webster's Bible Translation
If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well:

Weymouth New Testament
If, however, you are keeping the Law as supreme, in obedience to the Commandment which says "You are to love your fellow man just as you love yourself," you are acting rightly.

World English Bible
However, if you fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
If, indeed, you fulfill royal law, according to the Writing: “You will love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well;

Berean Literal Bible
If indeed you keep the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing well.

Young's Literal Translation
If, indeed, royal law ye complete, according to the Writing, 'Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself,' -- ye do well;

Smith's Literal Translation
If yet ye complete the royal law according to the writing, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well:

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
If then you fulfil the royal law, according to the scriptures, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself; you do well.

Catholic Public Domain Version
So if you perfect the regal law, according to the Scriptures, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” then you do well.

New American Bible
However, if you fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.

New Revised Standard Version
You do well if you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
If you fulfil the law of God by this, as it is written, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, you do well:

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And if you fulfill The Written Law of God in this, as it is written: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself”, you are doing well.

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
If, however, you fulfill the law of highest excellence, according to the scripture, You shall love your neighbor as yourself, you do well.

Godbey New Testament
If indeed you keep the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor with divine love as thyself, you do well.

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

Mace New Testament
If, agreeably to the scriptures, you observe that royal law, "thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self," you do well.

Weymouth New Testament
If, however, you are keeping the Law as supreme, in obedience to the Commandment which says "You are to love your fellow man just as you love yourself," you are acting rightly.

Worrell New Testament
If, however, ye fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," ye do well;

Worsley New Testament
If ye fulfil the royal law, according to the scripture, which saith, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

A Warning against Favoritism
…7Are they not the ones who blaspheme the noble name by which you have been called? 8If you really fulfill the royal law stated in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 9But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Matthew 22:37-40
Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ / This is the first and greatest commandment. / And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ...

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.”

Romans 13:8-10
Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. / The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” / Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

John 13:34-35
A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. / By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”

Mark 12:29-31
Jesus replied, “This is the most important: ‘Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. / Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ / The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”

Luke 10:25-28
One day an expert in the law stood up to test Him. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” / “What is written in the Law?” Jesus replied. “How do you read it?” / 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 John 4:21
And we have this commandment from Him: Whoever loves God must love his brother as well.

1 John 3:23
And this is His commandment: that we should believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and we should love one another just as He commanded us.

1 Peter 1:22
Since you have purified your souls by obedience to the truth so that you have a genuine love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from a pure heart.

1 John 2:10
Whoever loves his brother remains in the light, and there is no cause of stumbling in him.

Matthew 7:12
In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the Prophets.

Deuteronomy 6:5
And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. / It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. / Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth. ...

Proverbs 10:12
Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers all transgressions.

Treasury of Scripture

If you fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, You shall love your neighbor as yourself, you do well:

the royal.

James 2:12
So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.

James 1:25
But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

1 Peter 2:9
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Thou.

Leviticus 19:18,34
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…

Matthew 22:39
And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Mark 12:31-33
And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these…

ye do.

James 2:19
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

1 Kings 8:18
And the LORD said unto David my father, Whereas it was in thine heart to build an house unto my name, thou didst well that it was in thine heart.

2 Kings 7:9
Then they said one to another, We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us: now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king's household.

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James 2

1. Do not regard the rich and despise the poor brothers;
13. rather we are to be loving and merciful;
14. and not to boast of faith without deeds;
17. because faith without deeds is useless;
19. as is the faith of the demons;
21. however, Abraham displayed both faith and actions;
25. as did Rahab.

Berean Study Bible

If you really fulfill
The phrase "If you really fulfill" suggests a conditional statement that challenges the reader to examine their actions. The Greek word for "fulfill" is "teleite," which implies bringing something to completion or perfection. This calls believers to not just superficially adhere to the law but to embody it fully in their lives. The use of "really" emphasizes sincerity and authenticity in one's actions, urging Christians to live out their faith genuinely.

the royal law
The term "royal law" is unique and significant. The Greek word "basilikos" translates to "royal," indicating something that belongs to a king or is of supreme importance. This law is "royal" because it is decreed by the King of Kings, Jesus Christ, and it governs the kingdom of God. It is the law of love, which is the highest and most noble commandment, reflecting the very nature of God.

stated in Scripture
This phrase underscores the authority and divine origin of the law. The Greek word "graphē" refers to the sacred writings, affirming that this command is not a human invention but a divine mandate. It points to the continuity and consistency of God's word throughout the Bible, as this command is rooted in the Old Testament (Leviticus 19:18) and affirmed by Jesus in the New Testament (Matthew 22:39).

'Love your neighbor as yourself,'
This command is central to Christian ethics. The Greek word for "love" is "agapē," which denotes a selfless, sacrificial love that seeks the best for others. "Neighbor" (Greek: "plēsion") extends beyond those physically near to include all people, emphasizing the universal scope of Christian love. The phrase "as yourself" implies a standard of care and concern that is instinctive and profound, urging believers to treat others with the same respect and kindness they desire for themselves.

you are doing well
The conclusion "you are doing well" offers affirmation and encouragement. The Greek word "kalōs" means "well" or "rightly," suggesting that fulfilling this command aligns with God's will and leads to moral and spiritual excellence. It reassures believers that living by this royal law is pleasing to God and beneficial to the community, fostering harmony and reflecting the love of Christ in the world.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(8) If ye fulfil the royal law.--Better paraphrased thus, If, however, ye are fulfilling the Law, as ye imagine and profess ye are doing, the royal law, according to the Scripture, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye are doing well; but . . . . Mark the touch of irony in the defence which St. James puts into the mouths of his hearers. It were certainly a sweet proof of neighbourly affection, that exemplified in James 2:3. The "royal," or "kingly law," is, of course, God's, in its highest utterance; and may be taken as an illustration of what a law really consists: viz., a command from a superior, a duty from an inferior, and a sanction or vindication of its authority. There is much confusion of thought, both scientific and theological, with regard to this; were it not so we should hear less of the "laws of nature," and divers other imaginary codes which the greatest legist of modern times has called "fustian." The sovereign law of love, thus expressed by the Apostle, is one so plain that the simplest mind may be made its interpreter; and the violation of it is at once clear to the offender.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 8 - What is the connection with the foregoing? Μέντοι is ignored altogether by the A.V. Translate, with R.V., howbeit if ye fulfill, etc.; Vulgate, tamen. According to Huther, St. James here meets the attempt which his readers might, perhaps, make to justify their conduct towards the rich with the law of love; whilst he grants to them that the fulfillment of that law is something excellent, he designates προσωποληπτεῖν directly as a transgression of the law. Alford thinks that the apostle is simply guarding his own argument from misconstruction - a view which is simpler and perhaps more natural. The royal law. Why is the law of love thus styled? (The Syriac has simply "the law of God.")

(1) As being the most excellent of all laws; as we might call it the sovereign principle of our conduct (cf. Plato 'Min.,' p. 317, c, Τὸ ὀρθὸν νόμος ἐστὶ βασιλικός). Such an expression is natural enough in a Greek writer; but it is strange in a Jew like St. James (in the LXX. βασιλικός is always used in its literal meaning); and as the "kingdom" has been spoken of just before (ver. 5), it is better

(2) to take the expression as literal here - "the law of the kingdom" (cf. Plumptre, in loc.). Thou shalt love, etc. (Leviticus 19:18). The law had received the sanction of the King himself (Matthew 22:39; Luke 10:26-28).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

If
Εἰ (Ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

you really keep
τελεῖτε (teleite)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 5055: (a) I end, finish, (b) I fulfill, accomplish, (c) I pay. From telos; to end, i.e. Complete, execute, conclude, discharge.

[the] royal
βασιλικὸν (basilikon)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 937: From basileus; regal, i.e. belonging to the sovereign, or preeminent.

law
νόμον (nomon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3551: From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.

stated in
κατὰ (kata)
Preposition
Strong's 2596: A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).

Scripture,
γραφήν (graphēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1124: (a) a writing, (b) a passage of scripture; plur: the scriptures. A document, i.e. Holy Writ.

“Love
Ἀγαπήσεις (Agapēseis)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 25: To love, wish well to, take pleasure in, long for; denotes the love of reason, esteem. Perhaps from agan; to love.

your
σου (sou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

neighbor
πλησίον (plēsion)
Adverb
Strong's 4139: Near, nearby, a neighbor. Neuter of a derivative of pelas; close by; as noun, a neighbor, i.e. Fellow.

as
ὡς (hōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.

yourself,”
σεαυτόν (seauton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4572: Of yourself.

you are doing
ποιεῖτε (poieite)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

well.
καλῶς (kalōs)
Adverb
Strong's 2573: Well, nobly, honorably, rightly. Adverb from kalos; well.

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NT Letters: James 2:8 However if you fulfill the royal law (Ja Jas. Jam)