James 2:8

James did not mean Christians should avoid honoring the rich but that we should love everyone and treat every individual as we would treat ourselves (Matthew 7:12; cf. Leviticus 19:18). The "royal" (Gr. basilikos) law is royal in that it is the law of the King who heads the kingdom (Gr. basilikon) that believers will inherit (James 2:5). [Note: Motyer, pp. 96-97.] It is also royal in that it is primary; it governs all other laws dealing with human relationships (Matthew 22:39; cf. Leviticus 19:18). Moreover it is "conduct of a high order that is worthy of a king." [Note: Hodges, The Epistle . . ., p. 53.] The phrase "royal law" reflects the Latin lex regia, which was known throughout the Roman Empire. [Note: Blue, p. 825.]