Jam 2:8-13 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Jas 2:8-13: 2:8-13 James applies biblical evidence to counter the common practice of favoring rich and powerful people. 2:8 Christians are to obey (literally fulfill ) the royal law , just as Jesus fulfilled the law by his coming (Matt 5:17 ) and his teaching (Matt 22:34-40 ). • The law is called royal because it belongs to the Kingdom (Jas 2:5 ) and was articulated by our glorious Lord (King). • as found in the Scriptures: James changes from a general reference to the law to a specific written commandment from the holiness code (Lev 19 ). It specifies how our love for God is to be expressed in relationships with other people (see Lev 19:18 ; Deut 6:5 ). • “Love your neighbor as yourself”: This quotation from Lev 19:18 requires identifying with the neighbor as though the neighbor were yourself.

Summary for Jas 2:8-13: 2:8-13 ^a James applies biblical evidence to counter the common practice of favoring rich and powerful people. 2:8 ^b Christians are to obey (literally fulfill) the royal law, just as Jesus fulfilled the law by his coming (Matt 5:17 ^c) and his teaching (Matt 22:34-40 ^d).

• The law is called royal because it belongs to the Kingdom (Jas 2:5 ^e) and was articulated by our glorious Lord (King).

• as found in the Scriptures: James changes from a general reference to the law to a specific written commandment from the holiness code (Lev 19 ^f). It specifies how our love for God is to be expressed in relationships with other people (see Lev 19:18 ^g; Deut 6:5 ^h).

• “Love your neighbor as yourself”: This quotation from Lev 19:18 ⁱ requires identifying with the neighbor as though the neighbor were yourself.
2:9 ^j Favoritism violates the command to love one’s neighbor (2:8 ^k).
2:12 ^l The law . . . sets you free from the controlling power of sin (see 1:25 ^m and corresponding study note) and thereby promotes endurance and growth toward perfection (1:3-4 ⁿ).
2:13 ^o James concludes this section (2:1-13 ^p) by correlating divine mercy with human mercy (see also Matt 6:14-15 ^q; Eph 4:32 ^r).