Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
The Greek may be translated, "If, however, ye fulfil," etc., that is, as ALFORD, after ESTIUS, explains, "Still I do not say, hate the rich (for their oppressions) and drive them from your assemblies; if you choose to observe the royal law . . . well and good; but respect of persons is a breach of that law." I think the translation is, "If in very deed (or 'indeed on the one hand') ye fulfil the royal law . . . ye do well, but if (on the other hand) ye respect persons, ye practice sin." The Jewish Christians boasted of, and rested in, the "law" (Acts 15:1; Acts 21:18-24; Romans 2:17; Galatians 2:12). To this the "indeed" alludes. "(Ye rest in the law): If indeed (then) ye fulfil it, ye do well; but if," etc.
royal—the law that is king of all laws, being the sum and essence of the ten commandments. The great King, God, is love; His law is the royal law of love, and that law, like Himself, reigns supreme. He "is no respecter of persons"; therefore to respect persons is at variance with Him and His royal law, which is at once a law of love and of liberty (James 2:12). The law is the "whole"; "the (particular) Scripture" (Leviticus 19:18) quoted is a part. To break a part is to break the whole (James 2:10).
ye do well—being "blessed in your deed" ("doing," Margin) as a doer, not a forgetful hearer of the law (James 1:25).
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing James 2:8:
Matthew 7:12
Galatians 5:6
James 1:25
James 2:9
James 2:13
James 4:11
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