Topical Bible: The Law of Moses: Called: Royal Law

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The term "Royal Law" is a designation that highlights the supreme and authoritative nature of the commandments given through Moses, which are foundational to the moral and ethical teachings of the Bible. This term is particularly associated with the command to love one's neighbor, which is seen as a summation of the Law's intent and purpose.

Biblical Foundation

The Law of Moses, also known as the Mosaic Law, comprises the commandments, statutes, and ordinances given by God to the people of Israel through Moses. It is primarily found in the first five books of the Bible, known as the Pentateuch. The Law includes moral, ceremonial, and civil precepts that governed the life of the Israelites.

The concept of the "Royal Law" is explicitly mentioned in the New Testament. In James 2:8 , it is written: "If you really fulfill the royal law stated in Scripture, 'Love your neighbor as yourself,' you are doing well." This verse underscores the centrality of love as the essence of the Law, echoing the teachings of Jesus.

Jesus and the Royal Law

Jesus Christ affirmed the importance of the Law and its fulfillment through love. In Matthew 22:37-40 , Jesus summarizes the Law with two commandments: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments."

By emphasizing love as the fulfillment of the Law, Jesus elevated the command to love one's neighbor to a position of preeminence, thus justifying its designation as the "Royal Law."

The Apostle Paul and the Law

The Apostle Paul also highlights the role of love in fulfilling the Law. In Romans 13:8-10 , he writes: "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, 'You shall not commit adultery,' 'You shall not murder,' 'You shall not steal,' 'You shall not covet,' and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law."

Paul's teaching aligns with the concept of the Royal Law, emphasizing that love is the ultimate expression and fulfillment of the commandments given in the Law of Moses.

The Law's Continuing Relevance

While the ceremonial and civil aspects of the Mosaic Law were specific to the nation of Israel, the moral principles, particularly the command to love, continue to hold relevance for Christians today. The Royal Law serves as a guiding principle for ethical conduct and interpersonal relationships, reflecting the character of God and His desire for humanity.

In summary, the Royal Law, as encapsulated in the command to love one's neighbor, represents the heart of the Law of Moses. It is a timeless principle that transcends the specific legal codes of the Old Testament, finding its ultimate expression in the teachings of Jesus and the writings of the New Testament apostles.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

James 2:8
If you fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, You shall love your neighbor as yourself, you do well:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Law of God
... types and shadows relate to Christ, the ceremonial law is deservedly called "a school ...
X. The Judicial Law is that which God prescribed by Moses to the ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 12 the law of.htm

Fragment xxxii. Josephus Says, that when Moses had Been Brought up ...
... again, inasmuch as the leper was accounted by the law unclean, while at ... upon the
surrender of this city (Saba, afterwards called Mero?�) Moses married her ...
/.../fragment xxxii josephus says that.htm

Who the Instructor Is, and Respecting his Instruction.
... so that the appellation of "youth" should not become a reproach to those who are
called babes. Now the law is ancient grace given through Moses by the ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter vii who the instructor is.htm

Of the Times of Moses and Joshua the Son of Nun, of the Judges ...
... And it was to prefigure this that it was not Moses, who received the law for the ...
name also was changed at God's command, so that he was called Jesus. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 43 of the times of.htm

Twelfth Sunday after Trinity Gospel Transcends Law.
... It may well be called a veritable table of omissions (Lass-tafel); that is, it ... from
all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.". ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twelfth sunday after trinity gospel.htm

The Mosaic Law the Fountain of all Ethics, and the Source from ...
... that all the other virtues, delineated in Moses, supplied the ... Children of love and
peace," he called them gnostically. ... can it be maintained that the law is not ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xviii the mosaic law the.htm

The General Epistle of James
... The authorship of James has been called in question by many scholars during the
last century ... (3) The writer does not mention the law of Moses, nor refer to ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the general epistle of james.htm

Josiah and the Newly Found Law
... of the law of the Lord given by Moses.15 ... The first function of the law is to arouse
the knowledge of ... a further word from God; and so he called these attendants ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/josiah and the newly found.htm

The General Epistle of James
... the abandonment of the Law of Moses and "the ... to the Galatians his "wife" and called
the Epistle ... James, a law both "free" and "royal," irresistibly reminds us ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter xx the general epistle.htm

The Law Given, not to Retain a People for Itself, but to Keep ...
... to bear the yoke of righteousness, so that when they are called, they are ... persons,
from not attending to this, boldly discard the whole law of Moses, and do ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 7 the law given.htm