The Royal Law – Love

The phrase or term “royal law” is only mentioned once in the Bible, James 2:8, so does it really exist? Read this short Bible study for the answers, hopefully, you will get them. James referred to Leviticus 19:18; “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. (KJV)

1 John 4:8 and 16 says “God is love”; this God who is love does not have favorites, He loves us all the same. If we claim to be ‘Christ-like’ we must show love by the way we treat others—. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” that is from Luke 6:31; i.e., treat others the way you want to be treated.

What did Jesus say?

Luke 6:32-36 “If you love only those who love you, should you get any special praise for doing that? No, even sinners love those who love them! 33 If you do good only to those who do good to you, should you get any special praise for doing that? No, even sinners do that!

34 If you lend things to people, always expecting to get something back, should you get any special praise for that? No, even sinners lend to other sinners so that they can get back the same amount!

35 “I’m telling you to love your enemies and do good to them. Lend to people without expecting to get anything back. If you do this, you will have a great reward. You will be children of the Most High God. Yes, because God is good even to the people who are full of sin and not thankful. 36 Give love and mercy the same as your Father gives love and mercy. (ERV) [Luke 6:27-36]

Royal Law – commentators explain

Barnes says “It is called a “royal law,” or kingly law, on account of its excellence or nobleness; … that is, it is majestic, noble, worthy of veneration.” Benson says “The law or precept here spoken of was enjoined by Moses, but Christ carried it to such perfection, as it was to be practised among his followers, and laid such stress upon it, that he called it a new commandment, John 13:34; and his commandment, John 15:12.”

Enjoined by Moses

• Benson’s “Enjoined by Moses” refers to Leviticus 19:18, but let’s keep it in context and read Leviticus 19:11-18.

Leviticus 19:11-18 “Do not steal or tell lies or cheat others. 12 Do not misuse my name by making promises you don’t intend to keep. I am the Lord your God. 13 Do not steal anything or cheat anyone, and don’t fail to pay your workers at the end of each day. 14 I am the Lord your God, and I command you not to make fun of the deaf or to cause a blind person to stumble.

15 Be fair, no matter who is on trial—don’t favor either the poor or the rich. 16 Don’t be a gossip, but never hesitate to speak up in court, especially if your testimony can save someone’s life. 17 Don’t hold grudges. On the other hand, it’s wrong not to correct someone who needs correcting. 18 Stop being angry and don’t try to take revenge. I am the Lord, and I command you to love others as much as you love yourself.” (CEV)

Christ perfecting the Law

• “But Christ carried it to such perfection” refers to Matthew 22:37 and 39 (also see Mark 12:28-34 and Luke 10:25-37) but to make it clear look at Matthew 22:34-40. Focus on verse 40 for the key.

Matthew 22:34-40 But the Pharisees, hearing how the mouths of the Sadducees had been stopped, came together; 35 And one of them, a teacher of the law, put a question to him, testing him, and saying, 36 Master, which is the chief rule in the law?

37 And he said to him, Have love for the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. 38 This is the first and greatest rule. 39 And a second like it is this, Have love for your neighbour as for yourself. 40 On these two rules all the law and the prophets are based. (BBE)

In conclusion

1 Corinthians 13:13-14:1 But now [i.e., since the temporary gifts are to pass away], these three things remain: faith, hope and love; and the most important of them is love. 14:1 You should make loving [others] your aim, yet eagerly desire [to possess] spiritual gifts, and especially [the gift of] prophecy. (AUV)

1 Corinthians 13:13-14:1 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. 14:1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. (KJV)

In the New Testament, however, agape was frequently used to mean something more distinctive: the unconditional, self-sacrificing, and volitional love of God for humans through Jesus, which they ought also to reciprocate by practicing agape love towards God and among themselves. The term agape has been expounded on by many Christian writers in a specifically Christian context. —New World Encyclopedia

Jesus gives the new (royal) law

John 13:34 I give you a new law: Have love one for another; even as I have had love for you, so are you to have love one for another. (BBE)

Is the royal law all about love or charity (as used by the KJV translators and many others)? The royal law—love is ἀγάπη agapē ä-gä’-pā love. 1 Corinthians 13 helps us understand why love is the supreme / roayl law; speaking in tongues, prophesying, knowledge, great faith, charitable giving and martyrdom are nothing without love—love that never ends—it is the greatest of all things. God demonstrated this love—His royal law by giving us His son so that we can have eternal life—be blessed—♥ Tim

Scriptures to read and study

NOTE: the key verses are in parenthesis. James 2:1-12 (8); Leviticus 19:15-18 (18); Matthew 22:34-40 (39); Luke 10:25-37 (27); Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 5:13-26 (14); 1 Timothy 1:3-20 (5);1 Corinthians 13:1-14:5 (13:13-14:1); John 13:31-35 (34); John 15:9-17 (12)