Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
Howbeit (mentoi). Probably not adversative here, but simply confirmatory, "if now," "if indeed," "if really." Common in Xenophon in this sense. See the contrast (de) in verse James 2:9.
If ye fulfil (ei teleite). Condition of first class, assumed as true with ei and present active indicative of telew, old verb, to bring to completion, occurring in Romans 2:27 also with nomov (law). Jesus used plhrow in Matthew 4:17. James has threw in James 2:10.
The royal law (nomon basilikon). Old adjective for royal, regal (from basileuv king), as of an officer (John 4:46). But why applied to nomov? The Romans had a phrase, lex regia, which came from the king when they had kings. The absence of the article is common with nomov (James 4:11). It can mean a law fit to guide a king, or such as a king would choose, or even the king of laws. Jesus had said that on the law of love hang all the law and the prophets (Matthew 22:40), and he had given the Golden Rule as the substance of the Law and the prophets (Matthew 7:12). This is probably the royal law which is violated by partiality (James 2:3). It is in accord with the Scripture quoted here (Leviticus 19:18) and ratified by Jesus (Luke 10:28).
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing James 2:8:
Romans 13:9
James 2:9
James 4:12
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